Share Curtain Pole Buyer's Guide - Important Things to Consider When Buying Curtain Poles
Curtain poles are more than just functional, they contribute to the overall look and feel of a room. Whether you’re fitting a pole for a single window or redecorating your entire home, choosing the right curtain pole can make a real difference. There’s quite a lot to consider in terms of different pole types, materials and finishes available, and how they can best complement your home's decor.
Topics:
- Types of Curtain Pole
- Fixed Length Curtain Poles
- Extendable Curtain Poles
- Double Curtain Poles
- Bay Window Curtain Poles
- Curtain Track
- Curtain Pole Finials
- Curtain Pole Materials & Finishes
- Creative Ideas for Curtain Poles
Types of Curtain Poles
Let's start by overviewing the common types of curtain poles and curtain track. The type of curtain pole you'll need will depend on three main things: the shape of your window, the window's position and the room's interior design.
Fixed Length Curtain Poles
Standard curtain poles are the most basic and widely used. They are straight, single-length poles that work in rooms with flat windows, in a range of materials to match your decor, such as wood or metal, in different colours and metallic finishes. Longer fixed poles generally come in two pieces for connection to make the full length.
Extendable Curtain Poles
Extendable poles are a popular choice, as they fit a range of window sizes without the need to cut to length. They're available in a variety of length ranges to fit pretty much any home window size. Extendable poles are made of metal and are available in the same finishes as fixed poles.
Double Curtain Poles
Double curtain poles allow you to hang two layers of curtains, such as net curtains or blackout drapes, on a single window. This is particularly useful in rooms where natural light control and privacy are important.
An alternative to double poles is to use a single pole with a separate tension rod for nets or voiles. Curtain tension rods are fitted without the need for screws and drilling, so are super easy to put up – they’re basically the same as bathroom shower curtain poles.
Bay Window Curtain Poles
Bay window poles are specifically designed for bay or angled windows. These poles are flexible and can be customised to fit the unique shape of your window. They ensure that curtains hang smoothly and evenly around the bay.
When choosing a bay window pole, consider the weight of your curtains and the overall style of the room. Heavier drapes will require a more substantial pole and fixing points, while lighter fabrics can be paired with more delicate poles – this applies to straight, fixed length poles too.
Curtain Track
Track systems offer a more discreet alternative to traditional poles. Often used for heavier curtains or layered window dressing, curtain tracks can be ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted, providing a more streamlined look. Curtain track is also available in different finishes, such as antique brass, silver and matte black.
Curtain Pole Finials
When choosing curtain poles, consider its finials. What is a finial? It's simply a removable end-stop that prevents your curtains sliding off the pole. For example, finial designs range from minimal and functional end studs to slightly more decorative end-balls to elaborate crown cage finials and other intricate designs.
End Studs
End studs are cylinder or flat cylinder stopper shapes that fit or screw into the ends of the pole. They are mostly found on metal curtain poles.
Ball Finials
Ball finials are common and range in size. They can be seen on wooden, metal and plastic poles, either in the same material and finish as the pole or something more decorative, such as glass-like acrylic ball shapes.
Crown Cage Designs
Crown cage finials are more decorative, making a bigger statement. Again they range in size and style, but they are basically a twisted metal design as in the image below.
Other decorative finial designs include trumpet, bullet and knot shapes.
Curtain Pole Materials & Finishes
Curtain poles are usually wooden or metal, ranging in design and style depending on pole thickness, extendibility, and with a modern or more traditional feel.
Wooden Curtain Poles
Wooden curtain poles tend to have a traditional look. But in coloured finishes they can offer a more contemporary vibe. Wooden poles are usually fixed straight poles for flat windows. They're generally relatively thick, so will impact a room's decor more than slimmer metal poles for example.
Wooden poles usually have wooden finials, but can sometimes be paired with more rustic metal finial finishes. Wood poles are often seen with natural finishes, varnished or stained. And of course the come in a variety of different colours.
Ensure that the wood pole that you buy are FSC Certified, from forests that are responsibly managed for sustainability.
Metal Curtain Poles
Metal curtain poles have a greater design range. As we've seen, they can be fixed pole, extendible and bay window styles. They also have a greater range of thicknesses, with extra slim poles offering a more discrete window dressing choice.
Common finishes for metal curtain poles are chrome, softer metallics such as satin or brushed finishes, antique brass, polished brass and matte black.
Creative Ideas for Curtain Poles
Interior designers know that curtain poles can add important detail to a room's decor to create an overall style or feel. Let's look at some interior design styles that include curtains and curtain poles.
Modern Neutral
Combine light greys and white with natural wood elements to create a modern look. The curtain pole in the image below is white, but this room style could work just as well with a lighter natural wood pole to compliment the other natural wood elements in the room.
Rustic Farmhouse
Ever popular, the rustic farmhouse style is typically complimented by wooden curtain poles. But for a twist on this look try a metal pole in brass, antique brass or matte black, as pictured here. Matte black echoes a wrought iron feel and when paired with cheese cloth-style curtains creates a more contemporary spin on a traditional style.
Contemporary Grandeur
Longer, heavier curtains can provide a grander look, especially from ceiling to floor. In the image below you'll see the French door curtains are a main feature of the room's decor. This is achieved by a mainly light, neutral colour scheme, with darker lilac curtains and chair cushions drawing the eye. Notice how the pewter finished curtain poles are very slim with small, unobtrusive finials. This ensures that the focus remains on the curtains.
Remember, if you are hanging heavier curtains make sure your poles are strong enough to take the weight, especially with long curtains.
Bohemian Chic
The Boho look is as popular as ever too, with its free flowing, organic and eclectic style. With curtains and poles a Bohemian feel can be achieved with light, 'shabby' curtains or heavy nets combined with slimmer antique brass or matte black poles.
Final Thoughts
So as we've seen, there's a lot to think about when choosing the right curtain poles to complete your home's look, in terms of the right type for your windows, style, materials and finish. Curtains and curtain poles can play and important role in capturing just the right vibe for a home.
For more home furnishings, window blinds and hardware, visit Hiatt Hardware.