Wardrobe Curtains: Top Tips & Ideas for Closet Door Drapes

 

Wardrobe curtains are an increasingly popular choice for those looking to add style and softness to their space as opposed to the hard and intrusive presence of closet doors. Curtains are also a temporary fixture compared to a door, making them a better option for rentals and short-stay homes. While the prime motive usually is to conceal your belongings in plain sight, curtains also provide an opportunity to aestheticise the space with their colours, patterns and wavy silhouettes. 

If you have found The Window Window today - while looking for made-to-measure curtains to cover your storage closet - let’s assure you that you will find your perfect wardrobe curtains in our vast collection of premium drapery fabrics. However, we recommend you spend a few moments on this blog before you get to shopping, as our drapery experts share their top tips for choosing the right fabric and practical tips for installing wardrobe/ closet door curtains.

Hardware Decisions: The First Step to Perfectly Mounted Wardrobe Curtains

 

Strangely, though understandably, the first step to draping your wardrobe starts with the choice of hardware rather than the curtains themselves. This is because unlike many window curtains and door drapes, wardrobe curtains are expected to be operated often, and usually, not with a whole lot of gentleness when you are racing against the clock to get dressed. So, look for sturdy poles/ tracks, drapery pins/ hooks and brackets that will not let go no matter how hard and often the curtains are tugged.

From the aesthetic perspective, poles often outweigh tracks as they can add an element of visual interest to the drapery with their embellishments and tonal contrasts. If minimising design details is the goal, however, tracks are a better option as they blend into the space rather than command attention.

The next step is to decide the position of the hardware. Here are three popular options to consider:

• INSIDE THE OPENING: Hanging the curtains on the interior side of the cased opening is best when you don’t want to spare any space from the room itself for the curtains. This position is of special advantage to wardrobes placed in small rooms and narrow passages where flaring curtains can compromise convenience.

• OUTSIDE THE OPENING: When the curtains are hung outside the wardrobe, you can maximise the space inside the wardrobe area. This position is beneficial for small closets where you count on every inch to fit your belongings in. Furthermore, if your outer side allows you to extend the pole/ track beyond the doorway, you will be able to move the curtains out of the way and stack them on the wall, leaving the entire doorway free for passage. 

• ON THE DOORWAY FRAME: This position is ideal when you want to maximise space in the closet as well as the adjoining room. The downside, however, is that a part of your doorway will be blocked even when the curtains are gathered to the sides, making it not the best option for a narrow doorway.

Fabric Opacity: Hide the Secrets & Don’t Give a Clue

 

The whole purpose of hanging curtains to cover your wardrobe is to reduce visual clutter and protect your belongings from dust and damage. So, the transparency of the fabric needs to be given serious thought.

Sheer curtains will often be the last option as they don’t fully hide the mess and let in dust. If you’re aiming for an airy look, consider lightweight non-sheer fabrics instead.

Our top recommendation, however, is fully opaque thick fabrics as they don’t reveal anything, nor give free way to dust, dirt or harsh sunlight.

Palette & Pattern: Express your Personality and Harmonise with the Space

 

The most alluring aspect of using curtains as your wardrobe doors is the sheer range of choices one gets to explore with drapery fabrics. From the easygoing vibe of slubbed linens to the tactile sophistication of velvet, fabrics come with varied personalities, making them more befitting to certain decor styles. Besides, the choice spectrum of colours and patterns is so wide that finding one that meets the aesthetic of your room is no great challenge. So, make sure that your wardrobe curtains don’t just fulfil a function but also forward the decor language of the room.

A monochrome candy-striped curtain can beautifully carry the mandate of a sleek modern interior while a pastel floral curtain can vouch for your shabby chic taste, and a plain neutral will seamlessly blend into just any space.

The key to making the right choice lies in identifying whether you want your wardrobe curtains to make a noticeable presence or not. If they must stand out, go for rich colours and compelling patterns. Or, go for plain neutral colours, preferably a colour that matches the wall perfectly, so the curtains act as an extension of the architecture, softening the space visually with their undulated contours and enriching it with texture.

Heading Style: The Little Detail with a Big Impact

 

Another key aspect that contributes to the visual appeal of the drapery is the design of its header, referred to as the heading style. Some heading styles provide a decorative element like the pencil pleat curtains that have ruched headers, others are sleek and minimal like the flat panel tops. Go with the header that best suits your interiors. But this is after you consider what type of functionality you’d prefer because the heading style impacts not only the visual appeal of the drapes but also their operational ease.

Styles that entail hardware accessories like rings and grommets glide easily, while styles like rod pockets are better at staying put on the pole. If you anticipate operating the curtains often, it is better to opt for heading styles that move effortlessly on the pole/track. Whereas, for a wardrobe curtain that doubles up as a room divider and is envisioned to stay drawn close all the time, or perhaps in a rarely used guest bedroom, styles with fabric pockets and loops are ideal as they will not gather to the sides easily. So, depending on whether you’re covering a closet tucked away in an alcove or a large unit sectioned out from the room, you may choose to keep the curtains always drawn or flexible to move. And accordingly, you may choose a heading style that stays put on the pole or slides out of the way easily.

Length & Width: Getting the Perfect Fit for Style and Utility

 

The ‘measure’ in ‘made-to-measure’ curtains is the cornerstone of achieving a truly bespoke appeal in drapery. A flawless fit is also necessary to maintain a balance between style and functionality. So, there are a few things to be kept in mind when measuring your closet door curtains and specifying the order.

LENGTH: That wardrobe curtains have to be floor-length is a given, but how long precisely is the question. The ‘float’ and ‘kiss’ positions are the most recommended drop points for wardrobe curtains as they pose a minimum risk of causing tripping accidents. Puddled curtains are best avoided to maximise safety and operational ease. For more information on the various drop points, refer to our blog on Extra Long Curtains where we explain their pros and cons in detail.

WIDTH: The width of your curtain panel has to be considered in relation to the desired fullness of the drapery. The more the panel width, the denser the pleats and heavier the drapes. Such sumptuousness is desirable for window curtains as they are envisioned to insulate the home and deliver a high-end aesthetic. But wardrobe curtains serve a different purpose and are expected to be frequently opened and closed. They perform better when low-bodied and discreet, and are, therefore, typically stitched with lower fullness. So, instead of the usual 2x fullness, we recommend a 1.5x fullness level to keep the curtains light and easy. If you’re unsure about what ‘fullness’ level means, please refer to our Drapery Size Guide where we explain it in detail with examples.

Number of Panels: Achieving the Right Look & Coverage

 

Another key decision impacting the functionality and aesthetic of wardrobe curtains is regarding the number of panels to be ordered. Should you order a single panel for sweeping coverage so that accessing the wardrobe would mean sliding the entire panel to one side? Or, should you order double panels to frame the doorway, so you can slide both panels to each side to access the wardrobe? That’s the question!

While this is entirely a matter of personal preference, we propose to go for single panel coverage for a narrow doorway and double panel coverage for a wider doorway. Here’s why: Extra wide single-panel curtains may not glide easily because of their weight, so double panels are great for maximising ease of operation by distributing the weight. For a narrow doorway, on the other hand, double panels take away space on both sides to stack, compromising the convenience of passage. Whereas, a single panel will leave one side free for passage when stacked, and the weight of the drapery will not hinder movement as the panel is not too wide.

Shop Closet & Wardrobe Curtains at The White Window

 

Wardrobe curtains are a stylish, space-saving and economically viable option to conventional doors. However, the best part is that they can add a pop of colour, a charming softness and a touch of homeliness to your room, besides fulfilling their function of hiding away all the clutter. With all the styling tips for curating the best wardrobe door curtains in hand, it is only a matter of time before you find them perfectly mounted in your room, adding style and functionality, ever so effortlessly. So, start browsing our collection, and as you manoeuvre through the crisp pleats of cotton and the delicate ruffles of silk, you will surely trip on the one that’s right to dress your closets. Happy shopping!