A Buyer’s Guide to Curtains in 2025: How To Choose the Best Curtains for Your Home

When it comes to transforming a room, few things are as impactful as curtains. More than just window coverings, curtains set the mood, frame a view, and add softness to a space while offering privacy and insulation.

But with so many fabrics, styles, and options available, how do you choose the right ones for your home?

To help we’ve created this curtains guide for 2025, drawing on the expertise of Chrissie Jeffery and the No Chintz design team. Whether you’re considering custom curtains or looking for practical advice on measuring, design rules and functionality, this buyer’s guide covers everything you need to know.
 

What Is the Rule for Buying Curtains?

The golden rule for curtains is proportion. Well-designed curtains should complement the room and enhance the architecture rather than overwhelm it. Chrissie recommends three essentials to keep in mind:

• Length: Curtains should generally skim the floor or puddle slightly, depending on the look you want. Short curtains can make a room feel smaller.
   
• Fullness: As a guide, allow 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window for fabric so the curtains look luxurious rather than flat.
   
• Fabric & Lining: Choose fabrics suited to the room’s function and always line them properly to ensure they drape beautifully and last longer.
   

How Are Curtains Measured?

Getting the right measurements is key to ensuring your curtains look custom-made and hang correctly. We have a FREE guide on how you can measure your windows for curtains here. Here’s how:

1. Width: Measure the width of your window or door and multiply by 2 to 2.5 for fullness.
    
2. Drop: Measure from the top of your track or rod to the point where you’d like your curtains to finish (just touching the floor is most common).
    
3. Consider Hardware: Factor in the style of heading (eyelet, pencil pleat, S-wave) as this affects how curtains fall and where they sit.

If in doubt, bring your measurements into your nearest No Chintz store, our team can guide you to the best options or arrange a professional measure and quote service in Sydney.
 

Which Curtains Are Best for Each Room?

Choosing curtains isn’t just about looks, each room has different needs.

• Bedroom Curtains: Opt for blockout or heavy lined curtains to ensure privacy and restful sleep. Soft linens and velvets create a calming, cocooning feel.
   
• Living Room Curtains: This is where you can make a statement. Layer sheer curtains with heavier drapes for daytime light and evening warmth.
   
• Dining Room Curtains: Create ambience with elegant fabrics such as silk, linen blends or patterned cottons. Full-length curtains help anchor the dining space.
   
• Kitchen Curtains: Keep it practical. Café curtains or blinds made from durable cottons work best, as kitchens need light but also resilience to moisture.

 

How to Choose Curtains for Different Window Types

Not all windows are created equal and the way you dress them can make a huge impact on how a room feels. Chrissie shares her insider tips for getting it right:

• Tall, Narrow Windows (“Supermodel Windows”): If you have high ceilings and windows under two metres wide, you’re in luck. Known in the industry as supermodel windows, these are naturally elegant. The more height you give your curtains, the more glamorous and luxurious the result.

• Wide Picture Windows (Common in Sydney Homes): Many Sydney homes feature expansive picture windows designed to capture views. Before choosing curtains, consider why you’re covering them. Is it for privacy, heat protection, or simply to soften the room?

  • To balance the proportions, look for fabrics with vertical patterns or stripes that draw the eye upwards.

  • Consider recessing the track into the ceiling to take the curtains to full height for added drama.

  • For extremely wide spans, break the window into sections using multiple curtain panels. This creates separate vistas and enhances the vertical flow of the room.

• General Rule for Wide Windows: Always ensure curtains touch the floor. A single, uninterrupted drop avoids creating extra horizontal lines and instead elongates the space.

By paying attention to a window’s proportions, you can use curtains not just for function but to enhance architecture and balance within a room.
 

Do Curtains Help To Reduce Noise?

Yes, curtains can help reduce noise, especially when made from heavier fabrics and combined with quality lining. Velvet, wool, and triple-weave fabrics are particularly good at absorbing sound, making them ideal for urban homes or apartments in busy areas of Sydney.

Will Curtains Keep a Room Warmer or Cooler?

Absolutely. Curtains act as a natural insulator:

• In winter, lined curtains trap warmth inside, reducing the need for heating.
   
• In summer, blockout curtains can keep rooms cooler by blocking harsh sunlight.

This makes them not just decorative, but also an energy-efficient choice for your home.
 

Do Pelmets Make Curtains More Efficient & Provide Climate Control?

Yes, adding a pelmet can significantly improve the performance of your curtains as it provides far greater light and heat control than a simple track or pole.

Today, we expect more from our homes. With people spending more time indoors, there’s a greater focus on energy efficiency, comfort, and climate control. A well-designed pelmet paired with full-length curtains provides a more substantial window treatment that improves insulation, reduces heat transfer and enhances overall performance.

Without a pelmet, warm or cool air can easily escape or enter a room. A track or pole allows heat to rise above the curtain and flow back into the space. By contrast, a pelmet helps trap and redirect that air:

• In winter, a pelmet keeps rising heat inside the room, pushing it back down rather than letting it escape through the window.

• In summer, a pelmet blocks hot air from entering across the top of the curtain, reducing heat creep along the ceiling line.

The result is a more energy-efficient home, with curtains that perform better at insulating, keeping spaces cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
 

Expert Tips for Dressing Windows with Curtains

Curtains aren’t just about covering glass, they’re about shaping how a room feels. Chrissie shares her best design tricks for getting the proportions and fabrics right:

• Create Height, Not Width: Window furnishings always look better when you draw the eye upwards. If you have space above the window, cheat the eye by hanging your curtain track higher and filling the gap with blinds or sheers.

• Ask the Right Questions Before Choosing Fabric:

  • How big is the window?

  • Where will the fabric stack, above the window or to the side wall?

  • How high can you take the curtains?

  • Why are you covering the window, for privacy, heat control or aesthetics?

  • What is the use of the room?

• Choose Fabric Patterns to Suit Scale:

  • Small rooms and short windows don’t do well with large, bold patterns.

  • Big windows and large spaces can carry strong designs beautifully.

  • Graphic or retro patterns are especially effective in expansive rooms, where the scale of the design enhances the architecture.

By paying attention to these details, you can make curtains feel tailored to both the room and the window, rather than an afterthought.
 

Why Choose Custom Curtains?

While ready-made curtains are quick to buy, custom curtains offer unmatched quality and fit. With No Chintz custom-made curtains you can:

• Select from hundreds of exclusive fabrics.
   
• Tailor the length, fullness, and heading style to your space.
   
• Achieve a professional finish that elevates the entire room.
   
• Enjoy the longevity of beautifully lined, hand-sewn curtains.
   

Custom curtains are an investment, but one that transforms your home with comfort, style, and function.
 

How Much Do Custom Curtains Cost? Understanding Value & Longevity

When budgeting for curtains, it’s worth giving the decision serious consideration. High-quality curtains are an investment, their costs are often comparable to joinery, with both labour and materials adding up in similar ways. Many people underestimate the craftsmanship and detail that go into making beautiful soft furnishings.

Well-made curtains can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, sometimes even longer if they’re properly cared for. This longevity makes them one of the most cost-effective design choices for your home. Unlike many household items, such as cars or even beds, curtains can truly stand the test of time.

The value isn’t just in the fabric itself, but also in how the curtains are made, how they’re treated, and the quality of the hardware they hang from. When you invest in custom curtains, you’re paying for quality, performance, and timeless style that will last for decades.
 

The No Chintz Curtain Experience

At No Chintz, we’ve been designing and making curtains for over 30 years. When you visit our Sydney showrooms, you’ll find:

• Fabrics on the roll available to purchase by the metre for same-day take-home.
   
• Expert advice from our trained design consultants who will guide you through fabric selection, measurements, and styling.
   
• Fabric Samples, which can be ordered in store and online, so you can test the fabric at home before committing.
   
• Professional service, from design consultation to installation, we ensure a seamless experience.

 

Curtains are one of the most important investments you can make for your home. They don’t just finish a room they enhance its comfort, functionality and beauty. By following these rules and choosing custom-made curtains, you’ll create interiors that feel timeless and tailored.

At No Chintz we specialise in custom curtains, blinds and bespoke window furnishings made to your design brief. Our team offers complete onsite check measures and style checks to ensure what you have chosen works for your home.

Ready to transform your windows? Visit your nearest No Chintz Sydney store, book a consultation, complete the enquiry form below or explore our curtains fabric range online today.