Introduction
Perth’s western suburbs contain a beautiful mix of Federation homes, Californian bungalows, Art Deco properties and mid-century residences.
These homes often feature high ceilings, decorative cornices, timber floors, leadlight windows and room proportions that are very different from those found in a new build.
Choosing curtains for a character home is therefore not simply a matter of selecting a fashionable fabric.
The window furnishings need to respect the original architecture while providing the privacy, light control and comfort expected in a modern home.
For homeowners searching for curtains in Perth, custom-made furnishings provide the flexibility needed to balance these priorities.
Start with the Architecture
The home itself should guide the curtain design.
Before comparing fabrics, look closely at:
- Ceiling height
- Cornices and ceiling roses
- Window proportions
- Existing timberwork
- Decorative glass
- Wall colours
- Original picture rails
- The style of doors and hardware
A home with ornate Federation detailing may suit a structured curtain heading and generous fabric fullness. A cleaner Art Deco interior may benefit from straighter lines and a more restrained fabric.
In a renovated character home, the interior may combine original rooms with a contemporary rear extension. It is not always necessary to use the same window treatment throughout both areas.
The front rooms can retain a more traditional character, while the new living area uses simpler S-fold curtains or discreet blinds.
The important thing is to create a relationship between the two parts of the house through colour, texture or hardware.
Respect Original Windows
Older windows are often one of the most distinctive features of a character home.
Double-hung sash windows, leadlight panels and decorative timber frames should remain visible where possible. A poorly positioned curtain can hide the very feature that gives the room its personality.
Extending the curtain track beyond the window allows the fabric to stack away from the glass. This reveals more of the original frame when the curtains are open.
Where there is decorative leadlight, a sheer curtain may soften daylight without completely obscuring the coloured glass.
The State Heritage Office provides guidance for owners caring for and altering heritage properties. Its general principle of retaining significant original fabric is also useful when planning window furnishings, even where the home is not formally heritage listed.
Curtains should complement the architecture rather than competing with it.
Choosing the Right Curtain Heading
The curtain heading influences whether the finished room feels traditional, transitional or modern.
Pinch Pleat Curtains
Pinch pleats create a tailored and formal appearance. They work well in front rooms, dining rooms and main bedrooms with high ceilings.
The pleats provide structure and can complement decorative cornices, ceiling roses and traditional furniture.
Pencil Pleat Curtains
Pencil pleats offer a softer and less formal look. They can suit cottage-style interiors and relaxed bedrooms.
Their fullness needs to be carefully calculated so the curtain does not appear bulky.
S-fold Curtains
S-fold curtains create a regular wave and are commonly associated with contemporary interiors.
They can still work in a character home, especially where the interior has been simplified or renovated. A soft linen-look sheer on a discreet track can create an elegant contrast against traditional architectural details.
Decorative Rods and Rings
A curtain rod can become part of the room’s decoration.
Timber, antique brass, bronze or black finishes may complement original door furniture and lighting. However, the rod needs to be strong enough for the weight and width of the curtain.
Concealed Tracks
A concealed track creates a quieter finish and allows the fabric to become the main feature.
It may be especially useful in renovated rooms where contemporary detailing has been introduced.
There is no single correct heading for every older home. The choice should reflect the architecture, desired atmosphere and practical operation of the curtains.
Fabrics That Suit Character Interiors
Natural-looking textures often work beautifully in older Perth homes.
Linen and linen-blend fabrics add softness and movement without feeling overly decorative. Textured solids can complement timber floors and detailed plasterwork while allowing the architecture to remain the focus.
Patterns can also work, particularly in bedrooms, sitting rooms and formal dining areas.
When choosing a patterned fabric, consider its scale. A very small pattern may become visually busy across a large curtain. A larger motif can make a confident statement but needs space around it.
Plain fabrics are generally easier to carry throughout several rooms. Interest can be introduced through weave, heading style, trim or lining.
The fabric should also be evaluated against the home’s orientation. A delicate decorative fabric may require lining to protect it from strong Perth sunlight.
Improve Comfort Without Changing the Character
Original windows can contribute to draughts and heat transfer.
Custom curtains help improve comfort without requiring the windows themselves to be visually altered.
A lined curtain creates an additional layer between the room and the glass. Installing curtains with enough width and drop helps reduce gaps around the edges.
Pelmets can add another traditional detail while helping limit air movement behind the curtain.
The Australian Government’s Your Home windows guidance explains that windows play an important role in a home’s thermal performance. Window coverings are not a replacement for efficient glazing, but they can form part of a broader comfort strategy.
In formal front rooms that are used less frequently, homeowners may choose a decorative curtain with an insulating lining. In family rooms, a layered combination of sheers and blockouts may offer greater day-to-day flexibility.
Curtains for Different Character-Home Rooms
Formal Lounge
A formal lounge can support greater fullness, a tailored heading and a more substantial fabric.
Floor-length curtains help emphasise high ceilings and create a sense of occasion.
Main Bedroom
Privacy and light control are usually the priorities.
A lined curtain, possibly combined with a discreet blind, can reduce early morning light while maintaining a soft and traditional appearance.
Dining Room
Dining rooms suit elegant curtains that frame the window without overwhelming artwork or furniture.
Pinch pleats, textured plains and subtle patterns can all work well.
Hallway or Front Entry
A narrow window or sidelight may require a small custom blind or a light sheer.
The design should preserve natural light while limiting direct views from the street.
Renovated Rear Living Area
The rear extension can use a cleaner, more contemporary treatment.
Full-height S-fold sheers can create a strong visual connection with a garden while still relating to softer fabrics used in the original rooms.
Coordinate Old and New Areas
Many western suburbs renovations combine a traditional façade with a large modern extension.
Trying to reproduce the front-room curtain style exactly in the new area may not be successful. Equally, using completely unrelated window furnishings can make the home feel divided.
A better approach is to repeat selected elements.
For example:
- Use the same warm neutral colour in both sections
- Repeat a brass or black hardware finish
- Use linen textures in different weights
- Select structured curtains in the original rooms and S-fold sheers in the extension
- Coordinate blind fabrics with curtain linings
This creates continuity while allowing each part of the home to retain its own architectural identity.
Avoid Making the Rooms Feel Too Heavy
Character homes can accommodate generous curtains, but too much dark fabric may reduce natural light.
This is particularly important in rooms with verandahs, deep eaves or smaller windows.
A pale sheer can soften the room while preserving brightness. A deeper decorative curtain can then be used as a side panel or secondary layer.
The curtain should frame the window rather than closing in the room.
Fabric samples should always be viewed in the home. The relationship between the curtain, timberwork and natural light can be difficult to judge elsewhere.
Custom Curtains for Unusual Original Openings
Older homes do not always have perfectly square or standard-sized windows.
Bay windows, narrow sidelights, curved walls and windows positioned close to cornices can all require individual planning.
Custom-made curtains allow the track, stack position and fabric fullness to be adapted to the actual opening.
This is where professional measuring becomes especially important. Small variations that are barely noticeable on the bare window may become obvious after a long curtain is installed.
Conclusion
Curtains for a Perth character home should enhance what makes the property special.
The best result comes from understanding the architecture, preserving original features and selecting a design that also supports modern comfort.
Pinch pleats, linen textures, lined curtains and traditional pelmets can suit formal rooms, while contemporary S-fold sheers may work beautifully in renovated living areas.
There is no need to choose between respecting the past and enjoying a practical modern home. With careful planning, custom curtains can achieve both.
Explore Sandy’s made-to-measure curtains and pelmets, or speak with Sandy about the most suitable window furnishings for your character home.