23 living room curtain ideas for an instant style update
Looking for living room curtain ideas? Choosing curtains can be a bit of a faff right? So many colors, patterns, materials, you've got different rods, different rings, different lengths. Where do you even start?
Well, might we suggest right here with our guide to living room curtains. So what's the first thing to consider looking for curtains? The impact their design, texture, and colors will have on the rest of the space – and your windows in particular. With the right living room, you can dress your windows with space-changing ease.
Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys, says: ‘Curtains can completely change the look and feel of your living room without the cost of updating the entire space. Pick a striking new pattern for a bold look or for a more relaxing ambiance hang some voiles. Window treatments should satisfy three key elements, privacy, practicality, and personal style.’
‘Living rooms usually have larger windows like bay windows so you have the opportunity to create a focal point in your room. Dressing a bay window with bold curtains will not only create a beautiful space but will also help insulate your window against chilly draughts.’
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BY HOLLY PHILLIPS, SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH
Looking for a magical living room window treatment idea? Trick the eye and create the illusion of added height with full-length drapes.
Chris Harvey, interior expert, Stelrad, says: ‘If you want to create instant elegance on a budget, adding floor-length curtains is a tasteful choice which can be done affordably. Off-white and light neutral shades are a great choice to not only create a high-end feel but to brighten up the room and create the illusion of more space.’
Whether you want to nail the maximalist trend in your living room or prefer a more pared-back, minimalist aesthetic, frame your view of the outside world with curtains that reflect your character.
Rebecca Drury, co-founder, MissPrint, says: ’Colorful or patterned curtains are an ideal way to inject some character and personality into a living room. Don’t be afraid to go bold with your color choice, a yellow or blue will really make a feature out of your windows, and brighten up a space, whilst a monochrome pattern will offset and add detail to a living area in a more subtle yet still impactful way. Make sure you plan your curtain choice carefully, opt for a shade or pattern that will sit well with other textures in the room like your sofa or key furniture pieces. Your curtains will naturally draw the eye in the room, so you’ll want to make sure they’re right!’
As shown here, inspired by the bold and colorful palette of Indian summers, the Maharaja Collection from Prestigious Textiles offers a series of conversational print designs featuring hand-painted elephants, statement trees, and multi-tonal abstracts. Further capturing the theme, the collection incorporates cleverly disguised birds, henna-inspired florals, as well as textural embroideries for a painterly effect. Introduce a haven of color to any space with an uplifting palette that emulates the blossoming nature and grand festivities of India.
Channel an organic approach with quiet patterns and tactile textures on curtains, for a relaxed beige living room idea grounded in mindfulness.
Nicola Brumfitt, marketing director at Prestigious Textiles, says: ‘Use patterns and textures to create a talking point within a room. Working with embroideries and weaves in a muted color palette can keep designs interesting without being over the top or too dominant. Softer, warm hues and natural tones are ideal to keep a space feeling airy and light, whilst polka dots, jacquards, metallics, and sheers can also elevate a setting. Don’t be afraid to mix several different designs and textures to lift a simple color scheme across curtains, throws, or table accessories.’
Inject cheerfulness and optimism into a yellow and gray living room with sunny-side-up drapes that pour honeyed happiness all over your scheme.
Angela Boswell, founder, the drape, says: ‘A living room is the heart of a home. As the epicenter for the family and for company, it is important that the room reflects the design style of those who will use it most. Working with designer Claire Thomas, on Highball House, the directive was colorful. The Textured velvet drapes in Honey Gold are a fantastic color. The fabric is a blend of rayon and cotton with a slight crushed texture to it, inviting light to dance and reflect off of it.’
Say adios to ill-fitting window treatments that are too long, too short, or not quite the right color, and instead opt for windows that are dressed their best with a one-off, tailored design (we love the luxe textile drapery options from Holly Hunt).
Maria DeCotiis, interior designer, says: ‘Custom window treatments are an investment. Like those made-to-measure red carpet ensembles, custom treatments are handcrafted by a professional workroom with more skill and care than a machine and better materials than you’ll find in retail. Naturally, the investment is higher. However, this splurge is ALWAYS worth it: Higher quality fabrication and materials mean they last longer, stretching your investment over many, many years.’
‘Having a perfect fit with your window’s shape means you’ll love them longer, there’s less wear and tear, and the whole space looks high-end and complete. We have an infinite number of fabric options in patterns, colors, and textures that aren’t available in retail. This includes performance fabrics, blackout curtains, and more. The option for specialty details is infinite too - the type of pleat, adding a band, trim, or tassels, etc. We can get creative and personal!’
Wondering about creative ways to bring nature into your urban home? Grow an ‘interior garden’ in your lounge with botanical designs blooming with color and pattern.
Brumfitt says: ‘Go global with floral inspiration to add a further layer to any green living room. Use floral fabrics and tropical décor to create a tranquil sanctuary that naturally connects the indoors with the outdoors. From soft green palm prints to terracotta color schemes, a serene feel can be achieved through gentle use of flowers, especially when featured on curtains which can perfectly frame a window and connect the interior design to the garden.’
Like what you see? Inspired by the original tropical landscapes and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka, the linen-look collection of Jacobean florals and stylized trees is bursting with color and style. Featuring painterly textures and intricate embroideries, the collection incorporates stunning Jacobeans, ornate damasks, and a complimentary mosaic tile, for truly captivating interiors. Rich hues of emerald, gold, and navy, Sri Lanka, by Prestigious Textiles is rich in pattern and color for uplifting home décor.
Do you have an apartment living room overlooking a bustling street? If you’re after some privacy but want to max out natural daylight, opt for floaty sheers that add a subtle layer of texture.
An easy way to provide soft relief to any room, sheers are the perfect way to allow natural daylight to subtly filter through and create a calming ambiance, perfect for the upcoming summer months.
Poppy Peace, group creative director, Milc Interiors, says: 'Natural light is a huge part of how we live and so utilizing windows and dressing with curtains or blinds can enhance the overall look of a living room.'
June Griffith, founder, Garden Furniture UK, says: ‘Pick sheer curtains for the living room if you want to have a simple yet classy look. It will go with any design aesthetic of the room. You wouldn't have to go through a lot of confusion about choosing the perfect curtain.’
‘These curtains provide the perfect feel to the living room making it look calm and airy with a minimalistic appearance. They even let enough amount of daylight get through your room all while providing you with the much-needed privacy.’
Color and maximalism are popular living room trends. Creating the perfect balance when mixing colors and patterns can be achieved by experimenting with different scales for layered interest.
Ann Marie Cousins, AMC Design, says: ‘When styling different patterns together (pattern clashing), think about the scale of each pattern as it’s important to layer them and add a combination of different sizes. Large prints will immediately draw the eye so opt for this pattern on a sectional sofa, armchair, or rug as these tend to be the statement pieces in a room. Pair this with smaller patterns which work perfectly for curtains or blinds as well as decorative items such as lampshades or scatter cushions.’
Harvey says: ‘If you are working with a small living room space, the way you dress the window can have a big impact on how big or small the room feels. Using curtain tiebacks is a simple way to open up the room and let as much sunlight through as possible, brightening up a dull space. Opting for this instead of blinds or shutters means you are maximizing the natural daylight and creating a more open feel.’
We adore Anthropologie's stunning collection of fun, unique, and decorative curtain tiebacks for a modern twist on a traditional window dressing accessory.
Juliette Thomas, director & founder, Juliettes Interiors, says: ‘Adding curtains to a modern living room immediately adds a level of luxury and softness - and is a great opportunity to make a statement in your interior design. Opt for a colour which contrasts with your wall colour, so if your palette is neutral, go for something dramatic and choose a contrasting shade. Pair this with similar colours in your soft furnishings like rugs and cushions. For a more traditional look, add a pelmet or if you are hoping to achieve a more contemporary look, style the curtains with an elegant curtain pole.’
Large prints and brighter shades tend to look more contemporary and draw attention – perfect if you want to make a focal point of a beautiful window. Smaller prints and paler colors will have a subtler, more traditional effect, allowing other furnishings to take the spotlight.
Fabric choice is key: heavier fabrics aren't just ideal for colder months or draughty rooms, they will make a living room feel cozy and inviting all year round. Wispy sheers, by contrast, will filter out bright sunlight in summer but allow light in during even the greyest of days – ideal for making a north-facing living room feel brighter.
Check what type of curtain top you need. Pencil pleat curtains come with little hooks, which although a little frustrating to fasten in place, allow for a neat and uniform drape across the window. If you have a curtain rail, then you can choose to go for curtains with eyelets, which are much easier to hang but must be the right length to avoid pockets of light appearing at the top of the window.
Are you a fan of the two-tone living room trend, but want to take a more subtle approach to decor? If you’re a bit of a seamstress then you could add some fabric to the end of some shorter curtains to extend them. Choose a color similar to a key piece of furniture in your living room to suit the color-blocking style that’s been doing the rounds and make sure the lighter shade matches well in some way. Darker colors always work best on the bottom half though so do bear that in mind.
Yes really! We love how this looks, it really creates some cohesivity, and matching the curtain design to an armchair is a great choice. Then, have a couple of cushions covered in the same fabric to scatter on the plain gray sofa - so the look gets pulled through the rest of the scheme. Choose a few plants too to break up the look and to create balance.
If you love your existing curtains but would love to give them a bit of a refresh then consider adding a fancy trim! You can get pom-poms, beading, and braids in similar colors that can either be sewn on – if you’re handy with a sewing machine or use Wundaweb and iron them on instead. You’ll be amazed at how much difference they’ll make to your living room.
If you’re a big fan of textures whether that means rattan lampshades, linen upholstery, silk cushions, rustic wood furniture, or tufted rugs, choosing curtains that have that same tactile quality will be key. They don’t need to necessarily ‘feel’ textured as long as they look like they have one. These curtains shown give that impression and their color really enhances the overall look of the rustic living room as they add warmth visually.
Sometimes curtains aren’t enough - you may be overlooked by neighbors or your windows are huge and you’d like to be able to harness the light better. This is where using blinds and curtains comes in. Using the two layers will elevate the look and help to control the light during the summer months also. Teaming stripes and florals work brilliantly for this kind of look.
If you’re in love with a certain fabric design for your curtains and it’s a full-on pattern then go for it! Let them be the focal point of your living room and the way to make the scheme work is to use plains pretty much everywhere else. Plain walls, sofa, and chairs will create enough balance and then pop in some patterned cushions. Choose paint colors for walls in a color from the curtain design – this will help to pull the look together. Add in some gold pieces for extra glamour.
These lovely denim-looking curtains add serenity to this calming blue living room scheme, and they are also blackout curtains. This can be an extremely useful option to consider especially if you have guests to stay often and your sofa converts to a sofa bed. They may cost a bit extra initially but they will be worth their weight in gold.
High ceilings can be a blessing and a curse, and when you already have tongue and groove paneling that’s visually elongating your view then a pair of bright and bold curtains can distract your eye perfectly. Keep the rest of the scheme neutral and accessorize with a few pieces in the same colors as your print.
If you have an existing white living room scheme, with a few colored cushions you can lift your living room visually by choosing a pair of curtains in a new color. Make sure they are of a similar tone to the colors you are already using so they blend well. You could even use the same fabric as the cushions - maybe a slubby linen or a cozy velvet.
Want to draw attention to a large window or beautiful view? A bold print at your windows will give your living room a focal point. And, if you’re a big fan of Mid-century modern living room ideas, pick something with a retro vibe and classic 70s colors.
23 living room curtain ideas for an instant style update
Looking for living room curtain ideas? Choosing curtains can be a bit of a faff right? So many colors, patterns, materials, you've got different rods, different rings, different lengths. Where do you even start?
Well, might we suggest right here with our guide to living room curtains. So what's the first thing to consider looking for curtains? The impact their design, texture, and colors will have on the rest of the space – and your windows in particular. With the right living room, you can dress your windows with space-changing ease.
Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys, says: ‘Curtains can completely change the look and feel of your living room without the cost of updating the entire space. Pick a striking new pattern for a bold look or for a more relaxing ambiance hang some voiles. Window treatments should satisfy three key elements, privacy, practicality, and personal style.’
‘Living rooms usually have larger windows like bay windows so you have the opportunity to create a focal point in your room. Dressing a bay window with bold curtains will not only create a beautiful space but will also help insulate your window against chilly draughts.’
Click through to read the full story...
BY HOLLY PHILLIPS, SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH
Elevate your windows with dazzling drape, blinds and more living room curtain ideas that are sure to get impress guests
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