Recently the police in a London Borough have sent out a bulletin which encourages local residents to close their curtains. This advice has been given in a bid to discourage opportunist smash and grab burglars.

The same advice has recently been given in relation to net curtains. Whilst these are not considered to be a very fashionable addition to the home, statistics do suggest that people with net curtains are less likely to fall victim to burglars who spot items through uncurtained windows.

The number of burglaries is also thought to be on the rise and this is linked to the overall economic downturn. It’s therefore a good time to buy curtains and if they are already in place to close them at night.

Feng Shui is an ancient philosophy which originated in China. Its roots are in striving to live harmoniously with nature and literally translated it means wind water. It is based on the simple idea that are emotional wellbeing is deeply affected by our physical environment.

Chi is the energy which flows through a house and so the window openings and how they are dressed are important in Feng Shui.

In order to improve the Chi in your home you should open the curtains in daytime to let in light and positive energy.

Curtains should be closed at night as open curtains are thought to let in bad luck.

Curtains should be made of natural materials and curtain pools should ideally be wood, again natural products are more receptive to Chi and the flow of positive energy.

Adapt your curtains in line with the seasons, using heavey fabric in winder and lighter fabrics in summer. Choose colours that will work with the natural light of the season.

Before you buy curtains you may wish to consider Feng Shui to maximise the Chi which flows through your home.

The recession has undoubtedly had a detrimental effect on high street retailers and that includes those who sell ready made curtains and made to measure curtains.

During this recession, as businesses close or streamline on the high street they have turned to the online market as a more cost effective way of doing business. Compared to having a high street store the overheads involved in maintaining an online business are minimal.

The recession has heralded a boom in new online businesses. Not only have the retailers embraced this revolution but their customers as well. Consumers are becoming more internet savvy and are turning to the online market place with an awareness that it provides good value for money, the opportunity to make instant product comparisons, as well as being an extremely convenient way to shop.

When you're thinking about buying curtains one of the first things to take into account is where they will be hung, in other words, which room in your home are they intended for. This applies whether you eventually decide on ready made curtains or made to measure curtains.

Living Room Curtains
As the main reception and entertaining room it is common for the curtains to be more formal and designed to make a bigger impression than those in other rooms in the home. People are often prepared to allocate a larger budget to living room curtains and to take their time to choose the curtains which will create the “right” impression to visitors and friends.

Bedroom Curtains
Curtains in bedrooms are often more feminine and prettier but at the same time need to be heavy enough to block out early morning sunshine. Blackout treatments or fabrics are frequently used.

Kitchen curtains
Curtains which you intend to hang in a kitchen, whether they are ready made curtains or made to measure curtains, need to be practical and easy to clean. They are often simple in style for this reason. When you are planning your kitchen bear in mind that you will not want the curtains to hang over an area where they may easily get dirty. Kitchens are often designed so that whilst you are washing up you can look out over the garden – it may be wise to choose a moisture resistant fabric or blinds.

Bathroom Curtains
Similarly curtains for the bathroom need to be practical and easy to clean. Curtains in the bathroom should ideally be made of light, fine fabric so that if the get wet they dry off quickly. Again practicality is important consideration. There are a variety of moisture resistant fabrics available.