Bye bye to vertical blinds, the time has come to update the trend. And, if you’re looking at your windows or sliding glass doors and thinking there’s too much light coming in or the metal is becoming noisy, then full-height curtains might be a simple and better alternative for you. Nate Berkus, interior designer, is a big fan of this trend; for him, it makes your eye go up and makes the walls seem like they “grow.” So going from blinds to curtains is not just functional; it also adds warmth, texture, and clean-finished home decor.
They can be mounted on the ceiling or have soft-sliding fabric panels that filter natural light and still give you a private space.
What’s changing: light, view, and coziness
For a long time, vertical blinds were highly popular, and why? Because they were not expensive, they were easy to replace, and useful. However, they also have a drawback: dust is one of their best friends, light gets divided into strips, and visually, they take up a lot of space because they entirely block off the outside view.
On the other hand, full-height curtains can benefit from the height of the ceiling. They absorb the echo and soften the entire vision. Additionally, if we’re discussing interior design, doing this simple trick can change the entire space. Yes, the wall and the space itself feel more structured just because the vertical lines appear wider.
So you can enjoy daylight in the day, and privacy at night with long cloth panels.
Additionally, you will still receive the ideal amount of light, but you will be also protecting furniture and floors from direct sunlight by using the appropriate fabric. This alters the interior design of the house by creating a sense of space that is bigger, calmer, and less cluttered. Berkus says the whole piece breathes when the hardware is mounted to the ceiling.
How to do it correctly: measuring, fabrics and installing
- Curtains width: add some margin to both sides so the fabric panels can rest where the glass starts without stealing light space. This is called “stack-back.” Height is very important. Install the rail or bars as high as your ceiling allows you to, because this way, the wall gets taller and the curtains will have a more elegant fall.
- Hardware: Berkus explains that if you want a more silent sliding, then a slider rail is ideal. But if you’re looking for a modern and simple look, then a thing bar with rings can be perfect for you. If the space is small, you can toss the curtains to one side to clear the flow. But if you have a bigger margin, then divide it in two so you frame the view.
- Fabric: look for kind filters (linen or light mixes). We want to avoid dark colors, so think ivory, bone, or warm chalk. These colors soften the brightness of natural light, but they still invite it in so the house doesn’t become a cave. And if you need privacy, add two layers: one that filters light during the day and a second and thicker one that works as a blackout cape when you go to sleep or want the space to be darker.
- Length: Berkus recommends folding the edge a quarter inch above the floor (half a centimeter). So there are no puddles available for pets. Just clean lines hanging straight down. It will also be easier to clean around and maintain them.
- Volume: you want to calculate a total width close to double the size of the window or door, so the curtain waves don’t look poor.
Nate Berkus assures going from vertical blinds to long curtains is something you won’t regret. Are yo ready to try it out?