Articles & advice · Song Design Curtains
How to choose curtains for hotels, guesthouses and Airbnb properties
Accommodation curtains should look good in photographs and work well during a real stay. Guests need to open and close them easily and choose between natural daylight and a darker room. Owners also need curtains that their housekeeping team can clean, remove and replace without unnecessary disruption.
Start with four priorities: guest comfort, privacy, light control and cleaning. Then choose the colour, fabric and style that suit the room.
1. Give guests control over the light
Bedrooms and shared spaces may need different curtains. A bedroom facing early sunlight or external lights is worth assessing for light-blocking fabric. A seating area may benefit more from softened daylight.
A two-layer arrangement is worth considering: sheers filter daylight, while an opaque or light-blocking outer layer provides greater darkness and privacy when closed. Ask to see an actual fabric sample, because opaque fabrics do not all block the same amount of light.
NHLBI recommends a quiet, cool, dark bedroom. Reducing unwanted light is therefore one part of creating a suitable environment for rest; it does not guarantee that every guest will sleep better. [1]
2. Check privacy during the day and at night
Do not judge privacy only in daylight. Pay particular attention to ground-floor rooms, windows beside walkways and rooms overlooked by neighbouring buildings. With the room lights on at night, check the view from places where someone outside could look in.
Sheers should not be the only layer in a bedroom that needs night-time privacy. Choose an opaque layer that closes across the full window, and check the centre and side gaps.
3. Consider the track and fitting as well as the fabric
Good light-blocking fabric can still leave light entering around the edges. Before ordering, check:
- Does the track extend far enough beyond the window frame?
- Do both curtains meet properly in the centre?
- How much light enters at the top, and can the track position be adjusted?
- Does the length suit the floor, furniture and air-conditioning position?
A neat finish should not leave excess fabric pooling where it makes floor cleaning difficult. Open and close the curtains as a guest would: the track should run smoothly and be securely fitted. Keep any control cords safely secured, especially in family accommodation.
4. Choose care requirements your team can manage
Before choosing a fabric, ask whether it can be machine washed, needs professional cleaning, is easy to remove and rehang, and requires a long drying time. Do not assume that all polyester or blackout fabrics have the same care instructions.
For example, the manufacturer's instructions for MAJGULL block-out curtains specify washing, drying and shrinkage limits. This illustrates why you should check the care label for the particular fabric you buy; it is not a universal washing method for all curtains. [2]
For several rooms, consider consistent fabric and hardware within each room category. Keep records of the colour, fabric specification and dimensions to help with replacement orders. If taking a room out of service is costly, a spare curtain set may be useful during cleaning.
5. Match the room and its photographs
Compare fabric samples with the actual walls, flooring, bedding and lighting. Cream, grey and earth tones can be easy starting points, but the best choice depends on your property's style. View the sample in daylight and with the room lights on; a screen alone is not a reliable way to judge colour.
Photograph the room with the curtains both open and closed. Check that it still has the atmosphere you want. An attractive room should also be straightforward for guests to use.
Your checklist before requesting a quote
- Room and window photos, with the number of rooms and windows
- The property location in Phrae and suitable times for measuring
- The problem to solve: early sunlight, streetlights or overlooking
- One or two layers, and whether existing tracks are available
- Your cleaning arrangements, budget and room-opening deadline
Ask for fabric, tracks, hardware and installation to be itemised so you can compare quotes with the same scope. For several rooms, consider checking a sample arrangement in one room before confirming the full order.
Common questions from accommodation owners
Does every room need blackout curtains?
Not every space does. Choose according to the room's purpose and unwanted light. Bedrooms may need more darkness than a lobby or dining area.
Are two curtain layers necessary?
They are useful when you want guests to choose softened daylight or greater privacy and darkness. Also consider installation space, budget and cleaning workload.
Can every blackout curtain be machine washed?
No. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the fabric you choose before buying and before washing.
Song Design Curtains provides measuring, custom curtain making and installation for hotels, guesthouses and Airbnb properties across Phrae Province. Send room photos and explain what you need to start the conversation.
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