Everything you need to know to before ordering your curtains

Window treatments may seem daunting and complicated. At Liz and Roo, we make it easy for you to order and install brand new curtains! When buying custom curtains, the toughest decision is likely choosing the fabric. You will be living with this fabric, color, and pattern for a long time. And, fabric, color and pattern options are endless.  We work with you to help you define your vision (if you are unsure) and source many fabrics to show you. Take your time, get fabric samples (ours are free) and once you are set on a particular fabric, we take over the hard stuff! There are other decisions you must make, from the type of lining you prefer to the finish (how to hang them and what they will look like). You can also hang curtains outdoors with our indoor/outdoor fabrics. It can dress up a covered porch, block the sun and other elements, and bring the indoors outside!


Functional Curtains or Stationary Curtains?

Functional curtains open and close by traversing across a rod, controlling a room’s lighting and temperature. Stationary curtains, draped down the sides, are decorative, but not functional (do not open or close). They can frame and draw attention to the window and its view, and they create optical illusions by making a window appear bigger.

What Type Header? Help Me Decide!

The “heading” style determines how the draperies will hang from the rod. Rod pocket is the simplest and least expensive way to both make and hang drapes.  Here, a casing is sewn at the top of the fabric, open at each end so the rod slips through for complete concealment. The alternative to this is Tab Top curtains. Here, tabs are sewn to the top of the curtain, sometimes in contrasting colors, and the rod is placed through these tabs.

Tab Top Curtains

In both rod pocket and tab top, the drapes are then pulled open and shut by hand. 

Finally, Pleated drapes are the more formal choice, and are more expensive, but beautiful. These typically have 5 - 7 pleats per panel, but this can vary. These are custom priced based on fabric, length, and lining. We can also make a less expensive pleated drape by using a "ripple fold" or "hidden tab" back.

What are My Liner Choices?

We are firm believers in lining drapes. First, it adds fullness and richness to the overall look of the drapes. The drapes simply hang better with a liner. The color of the fabric is not affected by the sunlight, so you see the actual color you selected, rather than a washed-out pattern or color that is backlit by sunlight. More importantly, it protects the curtains from sun damage and fading. Liner options include blackout liner to block light entirely (great for bedrooms!) In fact, this fabric liner is not black, as some may think. We use both white and ivory. The alternative is regular liner. A regular liner can be all cotton or a cotton/poly mix, or even a cotton flannel. Regular liner is less expensive by the yard than blackout liner.

What Size Do I Need for My Window?

When measuring your window width, the general rule is a minimum of 2x fullness in the curtains. For standard windows, two panels, 50” each, is the typical width for a nice, full look. Valances are 50"-51" wide and sit fairly "flat" across the window, with a 17" drop.

How Do I Determine Drop Length?

The final consideration is how to hang the draperies. We recommend placing a rod at least 4 inches above the window casing, and extend beyond the sides of the casing (left and right). This creates an illusion of a larger window, too.

You don’t have to have a professional measure for your window treatments. We make standard 84” and 96” curtains, but also make them any custom length. Measuring is simple. We only need the exact measurement from the top of the window sill to the floor. Then, with a leeway of 4” or more, you can move the rod up or down to get the exact placement you want. So, the key here is:  don’t hang the rod until the curtains arrive! If you need help getting started or already have a vision, we'd love to be a part of making your house amazing! Contact us at info@lizandroo.com or check out our website at www.lizandroo.com.

Returns of Window Treatments

Because all window treatments are made to order, they are not returnable.

Custom Nursery Design

Request Fabric Swatches

Want to see what a pattern or color of fabric looks like in your home or nursery? Submit your request to us here and we will ship your free swatches in 24 to 48 hours.