To choose the best sidelight curtains, the first thing to consider is what color and style you want. The material the sidelight curtains are made of will also be a factor, as they will determine how easy the curtains are to clean and maintain, and how much light, if any, they will let in. Many sidelight curtains are used in the front doors of houses, so privacy is also a concern.
The variety of fabrics available for sidelight curtains is expansive. Choosing a lighter, sheer fabric, such as lace, voile, or lighter cotton, will allow light to come through, but will usually block vision so people can’t see in. It will also generally add more warmth to a room. There are treatments that can be done to the curtain to avoid them getting sun-damaged and preventing too much light in to damage the carpet or floor, so consider that as well.
If you are looking for privacy or have other windows that can provide light, choosing a thicker fabric, such as a heavy cotton or sateen, will be a better choice. In addition to providing privacy, these fabrics will keep heat in during the winter, and heat out during the summer. If you live in an area where there are several seasons and different degrees of light, you can always switch the sidelight curtains out depending on your needs.
Designs for sidelight curtains are also quite varied, so you can choose one to match your décor or compliment it. Designs will affect the way light comes into the room. Choosing one that matches other curtains in the room is a simple way to go, so consider this when buying curtains for other windows.
Another thing to consider is if you want to have curtain rods on both the top and bottom or only on the top. If your sidelight windows are narrow, it might be easier to have rods on the top and bottom. For wider sidelight windows, having only a rod on the top will give you the option of opening and closing the curtains.
When shopping for sidelight curtains, be sure and consider the size of the windows they will be covering. A fabric may seem the right length, but won’t look as good if bunched up. Most professionals will know what styles and fabrics to use for certain sized windows. There are many specialty stores available online as well as walk-in stores, and shopping at a specialty store will usually offer the best results.