The best curtains for your home: from playful patterns to vertical stripes

Aside from their practical benefits, curtains can transform the ambience of a space — a playful print such as the owls from Anthropologie will add an element of humour to an otherwise traditional room, while vertical stripes from Debenhams provide a perfect pop of colour in a neutral environment.

Try hanging curtains six inches or more above the window frame for added drama and to give the room a feeling of height, or for a traditional finish, add a few extra inches so that the curtains collect in a pool on the floor.

When negotiating the width of a drape, ask for fabric that is double the breadth of the window to create a sumptuous, full-looking finish.

For further inspiration on how to get the full window treatment, check out our exclusive gallery of images.