Renowned French writer Jules Renard once said, “We are born at the rise of the curtain and we die with its fall…” The quote is understandably a metaphor, but it does underline the importance of curtains.
Curtains function in a variety of ways. They can be both practical and decorative. When they lend themselves to practicality, they can be used to block light, drafts, or even water. Draperies are certainly effective in giving the interior of a building privacy from the outside world. In terms of décor, curtains can make or break a room, hence the availability of choices when it comes to material, shape, color, pattern, length, and even the curtain rods they go with. Interior decorators are very much aware of the importance of dressing windows. If anything, this part is pretty much the only glimpse an outsider may have of the interior, at the same time that the window frames one’s view of the outside.
Some of the things one may consider in choosing curtains are cleanability (how much oil and dust they can retain), blocking capabilities (in terms of ultraviolet rays, visibility, weather, and noise), fire resistance, and durability. Sheer curtains, for instance, allow the majority of light while still offering some UV protection. During the day, they offer privacy while still allowing people inside to view the outside. However, they are not particularly good choices for weather insulation. If they don’t meet one’s needs, an ocean of choices is still available to choose from.