When selecting a curtain color, think about whether you want your window curtains to blend in with the decor or be a focal point for the living room. If you elect to have them play a more muted role, select curtains that are similar to the wall color or trim color of the space.
A general rule of thumb is for curtains & walls to be one shade lighter or darker than each other, or be a complimentary colour to each other. Although light or dark curtains can influence the mood of a room, provided they match the colour, hues & shade of the walls, it will be a good choice.
The rule of thumb is to choose curtains that are in the same colour family as the walls. Yet, be sure to choose a slightly lighter or darker share of the wall to create a tone-on-tone effect. In the past, the trend was to choose curtain colours in the opposite or complementary on the colour wheel of your wall paint.
Which color curtains go with everything? Neutral curtains in tones such as beige, taupe and gray, as well as white and nearby shades such as ivory and cream can be the go-with-everything choice.
Do curtains have to match your furniture? Curtains don't have to match your furniture. Still, if they are the same style, texture, or color or are in colors that complement your couch, they can add to your desired look and achieve a unified look. That also speaks for the walls.
You don't need to stress over matching your curtains exactly to your walls, sofa, or carpet. In fact, using a different color can actually add visual interest to the room, breaking up the walls so that the curtains don't “disappear.”
If your sofa is dark, match the curtains with another dark colour to keep the room feeling cosy, or choose a lighter shade to brighten it up. Similarly, if your sofa is light, choose a light colour for your curtains to keep that airy feeling, or a darker colour – perhaps in the same shade – to add some contrast.
'Cool colors, green, blue, and purple, are calming so they work best for bedrooms. Lighter colors tend to be more soothing, and darker colors are more stimulating. If you're looking for a calming place to rest and relax, consider soothing pastels such as pale blues, light pinks, or light greens.
So, what colour curtains make a room look bigger? Opt for simple, plain colours to create open, airy space - white, cream, light grey colours. Avoid fussy, short and dark curtains. To make a room seem taller, hang long, floor-to-ceiling curtains.
' Overall, you should be looking to have a coordinated curtain and wall color combination, helping to add texture and help make your curtains look expensive and stand out, but not matching, unless a coordinated room is the look you want to achieve.
Choosing curtains that are darker than the color of your walls can be a good option for more relaxed and cozy spaces, such as for bedroom curtain ideas and living room curtain ideas, plus, they can look incredibly sophisticated and often work well for more modern curtain ideas.
White is the most popular curtain color.
If you're asking whether all of your indoor window coverings should match, the short answer is no; they don't have to.
Go with lighter curtains
Heavy curtains make the room feel dark when you want to lighten the room to make it feel brighter. Focus on the lighter curtain colors as well. A warm yellow or soft blue can help turn any room airier. You want your curtains to help spread light in your room while adding privacy.
Choosing the length of your curtains can also depend on the style of the room, window size, and style and your house. Longer curtains with a break of over 1” offer a more dressy, formal look while shorter imply a casual and relaxed vibe.
Dark curtain benefits
Dark coloured curtains work very well in spacious interiors or high-ceilinged rooms to visually shrink the space and give it a cozier vibe. Use them to anchor the space without overwhelming the setting; repeat the colour of the curtains somewhere else in the room so they don't look out of place.
Light, Smokey Grey:
Choosing an ultra-light grey (that is almost off-white) is a great way to make your rooms appear slightly bigger than they really are. Because light grey matches with everything from bold red to chocolate brown, it's an excellent option for renters who have unique furniture and décor.
1. Hang them high—and wide. Mount your curtain hardware as close to the ceiling as possible for a high-end look. Longer panels will be able to reach the floor from a high rod, and make your space appear taller.
Add blinds and/or curtains
Heavier curtains, especially velvet or those with additional lining, will help block out cold air that might come in through windows. If you find your bedroom chilly in the morning, heavy, velvet curtains could block that chilly air and keep you warm as you get out of bed in the morning.
In contemporary bedroom design, a laidback feel is what's really on trend, so be prepared to let your curtains do what they want. If you are really keen to tie them back, cords and ties will feel more relaxed than wall-fixed holdbacks. Think also about the length of your curtains.
Whether or not you should puddle the curtains at the bottom is really a matter of personal preference, but for the most aesthetically pleasing and appropriate look, curtains should run to the floor. If you choose to puddle, you'll want at least 3-4 inches of fabric or so to make the puddling appear deliberate.
Whilst Patterned curtains are great, there's also benefits to keeping it plain and simple with your window dressings. A plain curtain will be timeless, it won't go out of style and it's unlikely you will fall out of love with them in the way you might with an eclectic pattern.
Opting for toned-down colours that complement the shade of a grey sofa, such as white, cream or beige, will create a classy, elegant look. However, choosing contrasting, bright-coloured cushions and curtains will make something more vibrant.
Unsurprisingly, grey topped the list as the most sought-after sofa colour for 2023. "Grey is likely a slightly more popular sofa colour choice as it's the most versatile of all the neutral colours," says Ben White, design and trade expert at Swyft Home.
Although your drapes and carpet do not need to be the same color or pattern, they do need to play nicely together. After all, they both serve the same purpose, which is to add to your overall room theme.