How to Choose the Perfect Curtains, Blinds & Window Dressings
Windows are the eyes of a room, and how you dress them has the power to completely transform a space. The right curtains, blinds or treatments don’t just add beauty, they’re functional too, they are great at reducing draughts, softening acoustics, managing light and heat, and offering privacy. When well designed and crafted by expert makers, they’ll bring pleasure and performance for many years to come.
For clients across York and North Yorkshire, Middlethorpe Interiors design and specify handmade bespoke curtains, blinds and soft furnishings that are created in leading British workrooms. Drawing on years of experience in traditional hand-finished methods to ensure everything we specify is made to the very highest standards. Our role is to help you choose designs that perfectly complement your home, its architecture, and the way you live.
Middlethorpe Interiors is an interior design studio in North Yorkshire. Led by SBID accredited interior designer, Ann Allan, Middlethorpe offers full-service interior design, design consultancy and virtual design services to homeowners in Yorkshire. Explore our Yorkshire interior design services, whether you have a townhouse, country home or are looking for expert interior design input through a Colour Consultation.
The Basics: What to Consider First
Handmade interlined curtains don’t just look better - they perform. They insulate older homes, soften echoing rooms, protect furniture from light damage and add a sense of permanence that off-the-shelf solutions rarely achieve.
Before thinking about fabrics or styles, we always start with the fundamentals:
· Size and shape of the window - is it tall, wide, bay, or unusually shaped?
· Aspect of the room - does it face bright morning sun or cooler evening light?
· Privacy requirements - does the window look onto neighbours or open countryside?
· Architectural context - especially in period or historic homes, where details should respect original features.
By considering these early, we can design solutions that not only look beautiful but work seamlessly day-to-day.
Curtain Headings & Details that Elevate
A curtain heading defines the overall look. Hand-made headings create a tailored, elevated feel. Some of our most requested styles are:
Pinch pleat - The most timeless and tailored curtain styles, known for their elegant, structured finish. The heading is created by gathering the fabric into evenly spaced groups of pleats by hand usually double or triple, that are sewn in place at the top.
Cigarette pleat - (like a goblet pleat, not as full and without the pinch at the base) - elegant and timeless.
Wave heading - increasingly popular for its smart yet informal feel, perfect for relaxed living spaces.
Contrast linings have also become a favourite in recent years. They add surprise and interest, especially when carried over the leading edge of the curtain a subtle design detail that makes all the difference.
Quality & Craftsmanship
While we no longer make curtains in-house, our history of hand-finishing means we know exactly what exceptional craftsmanship looks like. A well-made curtain shows no stitching on the outside, is lined and interlined for structure, and drapes beautifully. Interlining also softens echoey rooms and reduces draughts with the option to specify thermal linings for even greater energy efficiency, a real consideration today.
Sheers & Layering for Light and Heat
As our summers grow warmer, sheer curtains are becoming a staple in our designs. They filter harsh sunlight, protect fabrics and finishes from fading, and bring privacy without compromising light. When layered with heavier curtains or blinds, they balance beauty with practicality. The key is ensuring colour, pattern, and texture across all treatments work together to create harmony in the room.
Poles, Tracks & Bay Windows
The first question we ask: Are you going to see the pole? If yes, then it should be decorative and complement your interior style. If not, we’ll design it to disappear discreetly, letting the fabric take centre stage.
A common frustration with high street ‘bay poles’ is the tug-of-war when drawing curtains around bends. At Middlethorpe Interiors, we specialise in bespoke solutions, ensuring poles and tracks are professionally measured and fitted for a seamless glide.
To Go Remote or Not?
Who can forget Kate Winslet’s delight in The Holiday when she discovered the remote control for blackout blinds? Motorised poles and tracks bring the same sense of magic into daily life. Beyond the novelty, they’re ideal for large, hard-to-reach windows, or for creating effortless control at the touch of a button.
That said, beautifully designed manual poles and tracks remain a smart, functional choice - especially in spaces where the curtain is easy to reach. The decision often comes down to lifestyle: do you want luxury convenience, or is simplicity your priority?
Why Work with Middlethorpe Interiors
At Middlethorpe Interiors, our expertise lies in designing and specifying the right solution for each home. We collaborate with the finest British workrooms, ensuring your window dressings are beautifully made, perfectly fitted, and designed to last a lifetime. Whether you’re restoring a Georgian townhouse in York, refreshing a country home in North Yorkshire, or updating a modern family property, we’ll help you achieve window treatments that are as functional as they are transformative.
Thinking about handmade curtains for your home?
We design, specify and manage everything - from fabric selection to professional fitting - for homes across York and North Yorkshire.
Contact us here to discuss your windows or request a quotation.
Look Out for Our Next Blog - This post is part of our series on window design. Next time, we’ll be exploring fabric selection and blinds - how to choose materials that bring warmth, colour, and personality to your home