Curtains in some form or another, have been around for as long as fabric has been woven. It is safe to say that almost every house hold will own at least one pair; widely used as a barrier for the window – they keep in warmth and keep out light. They certainly provide a commendable service, but what other purpose could our curtains serve?

Here at Linens Ltd we thought we would provide 5 alternative uses for this universal furnishing, to give our customers fresh ideas for the home or office.

1) Picture Framing

Now we  know what you’re thinking, we are not suggesting that you open an art gallery and have paintings displayed behind swathes of red velvet – but consider the fact that curtains are generally chosen to shut you away from the outside world; why not go against tradition and choose your fabric and curtain poles to complement your window frame? Especially, if you are lucky enough to have a beautiful view outside of it.

Even if the view is not something to write home about, we know the impact curtains can have when framing a window – so choosing the right curtain style and accessories will give you an extra painting on the wall, at just the cost of the curtains.

2) Divide a room

Whether you are looking to save money creating space or make better use of a room you already have at home, dividing a room in two for your guests or children will certainly give them more freedom and a sense of independence. However, would you chose to have an entirely new wall constructed? The prospect of building along with the mounting costs would be daunting for any family.

So why don’t you solve the space dilemma by fitting a curtain track in the ceiling and attaching heavy duty, durable curtains? They will be much easier to manage than buying several large screens and 100 times cheaper than fitting a new wall.

3) Give your room ‘swag’

Curtains can be so beautiful they only need to serve one purpose; aesthetics. Decorating for a special occasion? You could add some colourful, inspiration to any room by using voile swags on the walls or pelmet covers over an architrave. Are you decorating a nursery?

With a little creativity and ingenuity, you can create a wonderfully silken-tent effect for your little princess in any bedroom, just by using soft fabrics. We stock a fabulous range of egyptian cotton and colourful bedding to complement any colour scheme in your nursery or brand new boudoir.

4) Create your own door

Doors are a necessity for every house hold. Without them we would be subject to noise, drafts and images of our family we would rather forget. But are they needed everywhere? Doors can be surprisingly bulky, especially in smaller rooms or when left open on a cupboard or bedroom wardrobe.

Give yourself more space by replacing them with curtains. All you would need to start is a small curtain pole and the right material to suit the room, and you can transform an unwanted door into a discreet covering, providing privacy and protection – using a fraction of the space a traditional door would.

5) Enlarge your room

We are all too aware that decorating a room relies heavily on colour and spacial awareness. Choosing the right bed linen or storage facilities can drastically alter the feel and size of a room, so it’s important that you do your research.  It is relatively easy to make your room seem bigger, especially when you have the right curtains…instead of heavy fabrics and dark shades, opt for light and breezy fabrics with simple patterns for a cleaner aesthetic.

Displaying the right colours and prints will allow the light to expand into your room and ultimately expand how it feels. Try placing your curtain rod a little higher than you would normally, this means that you can then hang long, flowing curtains and drapes which will create the illusion of a grand entrance or tall ceilings.

Make sure you browse our website for any more inspiration when decorating your home; or call us direct on 0800 309 0059  with any questions, we have more design tips ready and and waiting.