Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Ordering Curtains — And How to Avoid Them
When it comes to transforming a room, few design details have as much impact as your curtains. Window treatments set the mood, control light, and complete your interior aesthetic. Yet, many homeowners make costly mistakes when ordering curtains — errors that can affect everything from the look of the space to the longevity of the fabric.
To save you frustration (and your budget), the Redgraves Home Fabrics design experts have compiled the top ten mistakes people make when ordering curtains — and how you can avoid them.
1. Measuring Incorrectly
A few centimetres can make all the difference between a perfect floor-grazing curtain and one that looks awkwardly short. Always measure width and height precisely — and account for the heading style (pencil pleat, wave, reverse pleat, etc.) and track or rod placement.
Pro tip: Book a free in-home consultation with Redgraves, and let our professionals measure for an exact fit.
2. Choosing the Wrong Fabric Weight
Light sheers, velvet drapes, or linen blends — each performs differently. Too light, and you’ll lose privacy. Too heavy, and your windows may feel cramped. Selecting the right fabric weight ensures a perfect balance of texture, drape, and light control.
3. Ignoring Curtain Heading Styles
Many people overlook how much heading style influences the overall aesthetic. For instance, a wave heading offers a modern, architectural flow, while an inverted pleat feels more tailored and refined.
Explore options: Reverse pleat, pinch pleat, goblet, or S-fold — these details take curtains from functional to feature-worthy.
4. Forgetting About Lining
Curtain linings aren’t just for blocking light. They protect fabrics from UV fading, improve insulation, and enhance drape. Skipping lining is one of the most common (and regrettable) mistakes.
5. Not Considering Light and Privacy Control
Each room’s function should guide your fabric choice. Bedrooms benefit from blockout curtains for better sleep, while living areas often look best with layered sheers and drapes to diffuse natural light beautifully.
6. Settling for Standard Sizes
No two windows are exactly alike — and that’s why bespoke curtains are worth it. Off-the-shelf options often miss the mark in both width and drop, leading to an unfinished look.
At Redgraves, every curtain is custom made in Auckland, ensuring exact fit and long-term satisfaction.
7. Overlooking Track and Hardware Design
Even the most luxurious fabric can be let down by cheap-looking tracks or mismatched hardware. Coordinating finishes and ensuring smooth, silent operation makes all the difference.
8. Underestimating Colour Impact
Curtains take up more visual surface than most furniture. Choosing the wrong colour can disrupt your design scheme. Consider how your curtain fabric interacts with natural light throughout the day. Redgraves’ consultants will show you samples in your space to ensure tonal harmony.
9. Ignoring Maintenance and Fabric Care
Curtains should look beautiful for years. Choosing fabric without understanding its cleaning requirements can lead to shrinkage, wear, and discolouration. Our design team can recommend fabrics that combine luxury with easy care.
10. Rushing the Process
Quality, custom curtains are crafted — not rushed. From design consultation to installation, each stage deserves attention. Allow your project time to evolve with care and precision.
The Smart Way to Order Curtains
Avoiding these mistakes is simple when you have the right team on your side. At Redgraves Home Fabrics, we bring over 60 years of textile expertise and an eye for style to every project. Whether you’re refreshing one room or fitting out an entire new build, our consultants guide you through fabric selection, design concepts, and installation — all tailored to your exact taste and lifestyle.
Book your complimentary in-home consultation today and discover why Auckland homeowners trust Redgraves for their custom curtains, blinds, and soft furnishings.