Guide to buying curtains and blinds

Block out glaring sunlight or street light glow with blackout curtains. You can also use blackout blinds with non-lined curtains to keep your room dark.

Draughty windows? A thermal curtain will help to retain warmth in the winter. Plus, they'll also keep the room cooler in the summer.

While they don't absorb heat on their own, these curtains soften the light from outside while allowing fresh air to come in.

Add more depth to your rooms. Sumptuous with a shine, velvet curtains create a luxe look and help you create a warm and cosy vibe.

Eyelet curtains hang in wide, even fold and work well with thicker and heavier fabrics. The punched metal rings at the top of these curtains slide smoothly and easily over the curtain pole for a smart finish.

Pencil pleat curtains have many folds, each about the width of a pencil, to create a ruched, gathered look. Plastic hooks are attached along the header of these curtains, which attach to a track or pole.

Tab top curtains provide a neat, attractive solution for dressing your windows. They have a header of evenly spaced fabric loops, through which a curtain pole or rod can be threaded.

Available in a range of designs and finishes to suit any home.

A discreet and elegant way to hang your curtains.

Perfect for hanging your pencil-pleat or eyelet curtains.

Tuck your curtains to the side for a neat and tidy look.

To get the correct size, measure the inside of the window (A) and the outside of the window frame (B). The length of the curtains will depend on the curtain type. Measure the full width of the track and cover some extra area too.

For the optimum length, finish sill length curtains 1.25cm above the sill. Curtains that go below the sill should be 15cm below and floor length curtains finish 1.5cm from the floor. If you've got a curtain pole, then measure from the top of the frame to the floor (C) to get the full drop length.

To leave room for tying back the curtains, make sure the pole is wider by 15cm on each side. For deep and uniform folds, make sure the width of the fabric is 2.5 times the width of the window frame.

Need help choosing the correct curtain size or simply confused about the length of the curtains? Watch this short video to learn how to measure your windows for eyelet and pencil pleat curtains.

Venetian blinds have horizontal slats which can be tilted to control privacy and the amount of light entering the room. There are different materials available, with the two most popular being metal and wood. Metal blinds are very versatile and practical, whereas wooden blinds add instant warmth and style to your home interiors.

Roller blinds are easy to install, block out light well (even better if they're blackout), and can be cleaned easily. Insulated blinds can help keep your house cool in summer and warm in the winter. Roller blinds come in different designs - you can go for plain, choosing colours that complement your décor or patterns to inject a bit of fun and make a statement.

These are made of fabric vertical slats. Like venetian blinds, you can control the light and privacy of a room by how much they are tilted. Vertical blinds can also be pulled back completely, making them a great choice for sliding glass or patio doors as you can open the doors without the blind getting in the way.

The most common type of blackout blinds are roller blinds that use a special blackout fabric. They're ideal for bedrooms as they block out light more effectively, meaning less sleep disruption caused by bright light flooding in. Like ordinary roller blinds, they come in a variety of colours and designs to match your décor.

To install your venetian blinds, mark the positions for the bracket and drill a hole to fix the brackets with screws. Make sure the brackets are at the same level. The fit in the headrail in the brackets and secure them with the safety clip you've received with your blinds. Still in doubt? The above video will show a step-by-step process to install a venetian blind.

To install your roller blinds, mark your chosen position with a pencil and make sure the markings are at the same level. Now drill in to make a hole on these markings so you can fit the brackets using the screws. Making sure the sidewind is in the correct position, fit the blind and secure it. There is also a clip to secure the cord and keep it away from the children. If you need more help, the above video shows how to install a roller blind in detail.

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