It is unusual that often when decorating a room, the curtains or window coverings are the last thing most people think of. Walls and floor usually come before the window, and furniture and furnishings next – yet the curtains that you choose to decorate your room with can have a huge impact, changing the entire mood of the space or blending weakly into the background.

Before choosing curtains, the most important thing to consider is the shape and size of the window. No matter what style or colour of curtain you choose, they will look out of place and usual if they do not fit well. Measure your window exactly before beginning to browse, as you may be tempted to buy curtains that are the wrong size if you are not entirely sure what you need.

Consider what you want the curtains to contribute to your room. If it is your living room, a relaxing space in which you may be entertaining guests, you may want to make a statement about your personality and identity. Long, sophisticated curtains in elegant shades and rich textures can be found at extremely reasonable prices, for example the Savannah Lined Curtains with tie-backs that can be found at online department store www.very.co.uk for the extremely reasonable price of £40. These deep purple curtains are decorated with a flower appliqué and embroidered detail for a luxurious finish to your windows.

If heavy curtains in dark colours are not appropriate for your home, perhaps if you live in a sunny area or wish to have light curtains in the kitchen to let in as much daylight as possible, a floral print can liven up plain white or cream coloured fabric. Part of the Vantona range sold at www.very.co.uk, their Vantona English Garden Curtains with tie-backs feature a delicate pastel design on a soft cream background, perfect for adding a traditional touch to a room.

If you're considering curtains for a child's room, why not explore the huge variety of patterns on offer? If you can find out something your child is particularly interested in, for example a cartoon character or a particular child’s film, you can get them curtains that they will really appreciate. At www.very.co.uk you can choose from a huge range of specially designed children's curtains, with patterns from Thomas and Friends for the boys to Disney princess for little girls.