The Complete Guide to Choosing Curtains for Your Costa Blanca Home

From choosing the right fabric and curtain style to measuring, tracks and professional installation — discover how to create beautifully fitted curtains for your home in Spain

Curtains can be the focal point of a room and how they are dressed can determine the mood, brightness, texture, proportion, style and feel of a room. It can be important to harmonise the colors used to dress a window to bring the correct balance to a room with regards to both the effect of light from inside of the room and light from outside of the window. A curtain should enable light to enter the room form the outside and not be too wide or heavy for the window whilst choosing the correct color can also significantly affect the light when drawn. A dark color curtain up at a window can make a room feel smaller and dingy.

Getting the right help makes a big difference

Choosing the correct style of curtain for a room can begin by considering the type of curtain that will suit a particular room.

A more formal or traditional room may be more suited to a Pencil pleat curtain with a more pleated curtain bringing a distinguished look to a room.

Pinch pleat curtains with a luxurious fan effect heading and elegant folds could also bring a more tailored look to formal areas.

Eyelet curtain headings hung on a pole can bring a modern feel to a room. With wide folds able to show off both fabric and design, eyelet curtains can bring a clean and contemporary look to most settings.

Our different style of headings for curtains

Selecting a color for curtains can depend on a number of factors.

Color can be determined by the decor in place or what scheme runs through other rooms.  Plain curtains can be the best for a simple understated look. Neutral shades can keep things cool and clean whilst retaining a relaxed feel.  Plain colors can be a good choice with patterned wallpaper and can bring balance to a room with patterned carpets and soft furnishings.

To make a feature of a window a bolder color or a patterned curtain can have a striking effect. If a room has predominantly plain furniture or walls a colourful eye catching curtain can bring another dimension to a room.

The fabric to choose can often depend on the pattern required on a curtain. Heavy curtains such as jacquards and chenille can bring a luxurious, sumptuous feel while textured and silks bring elegance.  A simple cotton material is an ideal base for printed designs.

Now that we have discussed the various hanging styles and also given you a little idea about decorating with curtains, next we shall go through the easiest way of being ready before you come to the store to buy your next pair of curtains. However remember you can always come back and click here to go straight to our selection of ready made curtains.

How to Measure for Curtains

A few centimetres can make the difference between curtains that look made for the room and curtains that simply don’t hang correctly.

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It is advisable to use a metal tape measure were possible when measuring for curtains. The width is always the first measurement given, for example 46”x 54” (117cm x 137cm) means that each curtain is 46 inches (117cm) wide by 54 inches (137cm) drop.  All curtains are sold as a pair unless stated otherwise.

Width (all heading types)

It is important to measure the whole width of a track or pole (excluding the finial).  If a window has no pole or track to measure, measure the width of the window recess and add a minimum of 6 inches (15cm) to allow the curtains to rest when open.  More space may be required for heavy fabrics.otherwise.

For Ready Made curtains the width of the pole/track wants to be roughly the same size as one curtain. For example, a pole up to 46” (117cm) would require a pair of 46” (117cm) wide curtains, a 66” (168cm) pole, a pair of 66” wide curtains and a pole of 90” (229cm) would require a pair of 90” width curtains. When a pole width falls in between the standard size widths (46”,66” or 90”) it depends on how full the curtains need to be. Fuller is generally more advisable.

Track

When measuring the drop for curtains it is important to start from the right point. With a curtain track measure from the top of the track to half an inch (1.5cm) above the floor or a minimum of 1.5 inches (4cm) below the window sill.

Pole

When measuring from a curtain pole measure from the bottom of the ornamental ring (the ring on the pole) to half an inch (1cm) above the floor or a minimum of 1 and a half inches (4cm) below the window sill. If a track or pole has yet to be fitted it is worth allowing a minimum of 3-5 inches (8-12cm) above the window when measuring. If no carpet is down and one is to be fitted, measure to a minimum of 1 inch (2-3cm) above the floor. Curtains can hang between the window and floor if desired. In some older houses, ceilings, floors and windows may not be level so it is worth making sure that the pole or track is positioned correctly according to the eye rather than a spirit level so as to avoid an uneven look at the window.

Drop (Eyelets)

Eyelet curtains can only hang from a curtain pole.  For eyelet curtains it is important to measure from the top of the curtain pole to half an inch (1.5cm) above the floor or a minimum of 1.5 inches (4cm) below the window sill. If a pole has yet to be fitted it is worth allowing a minimum of 3-5 inches (8-12cm) above the window when measuring. It is advisable where possible to measure with a pole in place. If no carpet is down and one is to be fitted, measure to a minimum of 1 inch (2-3cm) above the floor.  Curtains can hang between the window and floor if desired. In some older houses, ceilings, floors and windows may not be level so it is worth making sure that the pole or track is positioned correctly according to the eye rather than a spirit level so as to avoid an uneven look at the window.

How much gather do I need

Without gather a net curtain would just be a flat piece of material across the window. Twice the window width is generally the recommended amount of gather, two and a half times will give a fuller look. Once the window width has been measured, decide whether x1.5, x2, x2.5 or even 3 times the gather is required before ordering.  Our net curtain creator will calculate the measurements for you once the width and amount of gather have been decided upon.

As you might agree now, curtains arent easy to buy for , however after more than 30 years of experience with advising, fitting curtains, im sure this quick and easy guide will help you buy the perfect pair of curtains.

Speaking of which if you need any further help, please do not hesitate in contact me.

Curtains Can Completely Change a Room

Curtains are often one of the last things we choose when decorating a room — but they can have one of the biggest impacts on how that room looks and feels.

The right curtains can make ceilings appear higher, windows feel larger and a room look softer, warmer and more complete. They can filter strong Mediterranean sunlight, provide privacy and completely change the atmosphere of a living room or bedroom.

Get the proportions, fabric or positioning wrong, however, and even an expensive pair of curtains can look disappointing.

It’s About More Than Choosing a Fabric

When we help customers choose curtains, we don’t look at the fabric in isolation.

We consider the whole window and the room around it.

The height of the ceiling.
The width of the window.
How much natural light enters the room.
Where the curtains will stack when they’re open.
The furniture and colours already in the space.
And, importantly here on the Costa Blanca, how much privacy and protection from strong sunlight you need.

Sometimes simply positioning a curtain track higher or wider can dramatically change the proportions of the window.

For large patio doors and Mediterranean-style living spaces, beautiful floor-to-ceiling curtains can become an architectural feature in their own right.

Light, Privacy & Atmosphere

Curtains also give you control over how your home feels throughout the day.

Sheer curtains can soften bright Costa Blanca sunlight while maintaining a light, airy atmosphere.

Lined curtains provide greater privacy and a more substantial, luxurious appearance.

Blackout curtains can be particularly useful in bedrooms where controlling early-morning sunlight is important.

And combining sheers with curtains gives you flexibility — filtered daylight and privacy during the day, with greater coverage in the evening.

The Difference Is in the Fit

Beautiful fabric is only part of creating beautiful curtains.

The finished length, fullness, heading style, track position and way the curtains fall all contribute to the final result.

This is one of the biggest differences between simply buying a pair of curtains and creating curtains specifically for your room.

Well-designed curtains don’t just cover a window — they become part of the room.

And that’s why, before choosing a fabric or taking any measurements, it’s worth understanding the difference between ready-made and made-to-measure curtains.

Thinking About New Curtains? Start With a Visit to Leo’s

See and feel the fabrics in person.

Visit our Altea showroom, tell us about your windows and the look you’re trying to achieve, and we’ll help you choose the right fabric, heading and fitting solution.

Professional measuring • Made-to-measure curtains • Tracks & poles • Professional installation

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