Svenskt Tenn's Curtain guide

A Guide for Buying Curtains

Curtains can do a lot for a room. They affect the overall look, the feeling, the light, and the sound. A room can undergo a significant transformation with the help of curtains, but it's not always easy to choose the right ones. To simplify your choice, Svenskt Tenn has created a curtain guide with information on hanging and measuring, as well as curtain models, accessories, and much more. Here, you can also find our best curtain tips, see different hanging methods, and get advice on curtain lengths, placement, and selection of patterns and fabrics.

“A window shouldn’t turn into a dark hole at night. Curtains diffuse the light, soften up the darkness and moderate the heat of the sun.” artistry meets precision in a symphony of design.”

Estrid Ericson

Lined curtains with French pleats.

Josef Frank’s Baranquilla textile.

Lined curtains with French pleats

When considering curtains with French pleats, it is good to keep in mind that the width of the fabric pulls together quite a lot. The panels can hang more over the wall that surrounds the window, rather than over the window itself. This way you optimise the curtain’s function and get maximum light into the room. These curtains are put up with rings on a decorative pole, which creates an elegant statment. As for lining fabric, a plain cotton fabric or a blackout fabric can be used.

Pictured above: Baranquilla white 315 linen, lined with plain white cotton fabric. Curtain pole: 28mm diameter ’Kannelerad’ in polished brass with matching ’Ludvig XVI’ knob, 24 rings.

Unlined curtains with pleated tape.

Josef Frank’s Primavera textile.

Unlined curtains with pleated tape

These curtain panels are unlined, maximising on light flooding into the room. The panels can either be hung on a decorative pole as shown, or on a rail attached to the wall or ceiling. Whichever option you choose, this window treatment will give the interior a warm yet airy atmosphere.

Pictured above: Primavera 315 linen, unlined. Curtain pole: 16 mm diameter in matt chrome with matching flat knob, 24 rings.

Roman blind.

Josef Frank’s Celotocaulis textile.

Roman blind

A roman blind can either be lined or unlined and sewn with different types of fold. Classic roman blinds have flat fold lines when fully extended, as pictured. ’Hobbled’ or ’looped’ roman blinds have visable folds even when fully extended, creating an elegant waterfall effect. A roman blind can be fixed onto the wall, ceiling or inside the window niche itself.

Pictured above: Celotocaulis Green 315 linen, lined with plain white cotton fabric.

Thin curtains with pleated tape.

Lars Nilsson’s Anacapri textile.

Thin curtains with pleated tape

Thin curtains with pleated tape.These curtains are the best option for maximising the inflow of light into a room. These curtains give any interior a light and airy feel. In hotels, they are often used as a thin curtain panel behind blackout curtains. Thin curtains with a rod pocket are hung up with a decorative pole, while curtains with pleated tape can either be hung on a rail with hooks as shown, or on a pole.

Pictured above: Anacapri 100 linen, unlined. Curtain pole: Straight rail ’1080 silent glis.

The textile department in the store, 1952.

A wide range of fabrics.

Our best curtain advice

Try to frame the window rather than cover it and let the curtains hang about one to two centimetres above the floor. Large patterned fabrics, such as those of Josef Frank, often look better as curtains, whereas smaller patterns can be perceived as being too busy on a larger surface.

It is important to consider pattern matching when sewing your curtains. Sometimes the curtains need to be pattern matched by width, for example when using double width panels. Pattern matching is different for each pattern. Svenskt Tenn’s knowledgeable staff are happy to help with measuring fabric and pattern matching as required.

Seam allowance is needed for the hem. Allow for around 20 – 30 centimetres per curtain panel and add to the total length.

Curtains are regularly used in living rooms and bedrooms, and kitchens can be forgotten. Kitchen interiors are often very paired back, and a curtain can elevate the room’s overall impression. The most important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong. Always take into consideration the room, the proportions, the light and architecture.

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