Choose Curtain Colors Like an Interior Decor Pro
Selecting the ideal curtain colors for your home might appear to be a simple task, but there are actually many elements to consider. The right curtain colors can entirely transform the look and feel of a room. To choose window treatments with confidence, it's important to think about the room's purpose, the amount of natural light, the wall colors, and the overall decor style. With a thoughtful approach, you can pick curtain colors guaranteed to elevate your space.
Follow these expert tips to choose beautiful, functional curtain colors tailored to your rooms.
Consider the Room's Orientation
The cardinal direction your room faces makes a big difference in the quantity and quality of natural light it receives. Rooms with southern, eastern, or western exposures often get intense direct sunlight, especially in the mornings and afternoons. The glare and heat gain from all that sunlight streaming in can make a space feel washed out and uncomfortable. To remedy this, rooms with excessive direct sun exposure typically benefit from curtains in deeper, richer colors to help filter the light. Darker curtain colors like jewel tones, navy, or forest green will prevent harsh sunlight from overpowering the room.
On the flip side, rooms with northern exposures receive very little direct sunlight. North-facing spaces tend to have lower light levels overall, which can make a room feel dim and gloomy. To brighten up a north-facing room, choose light to medium-toned curtain colors like ivory, light gray, soft yellow, or pale blue. These airy, ethereal curtain colors will let in as much natural light as possible without overwhelming the space.
Think About the Room's Function
Consider the primary function of the room when selecting curtain colors. Bedrooms, for instance, require curtains that block light and provide privacy. Blackout curtain fabrics in darker shades of gray, brown, navy, or even black are ideal for reducing light and creating a relaxing oasis for sleep. In living rooms and family rooms, the priorities are different. These communal spaces need curtains that complement the decor while allowing natural light in. Sheer curtain panels in whites or neutrals are popular choices for softly filtering light in living areas.
In home offices, light management is also important for reducing glare on computer screens. For window treatments here, consider room-darkening shades paired with neutral curtains to maintain productivity. For dining spaces that get direct sunlight, colored curtains that match the wall color can make the architecture recede so the focus stays on the meal and conversation.
Factor in the Size of the Room
The dimensions of the room heavily influence the effect of any design choice. Small rooms can easily look cluttered and dark if the colors are too bold or intense. To keep a petite space feeling open and airy, stick with light-colored curtains. Delicate sheers, pale yellows, and soft gray-blues are foolproof options. Save those statement-making emerald green or tomato red velvet curtains for larger rooms that can handle the dramatic look.
On the flip side, pale curtain colors can make a capacious room feel cold and cavernous. In large rooms, don't be afraid to go bold with your curtain color choices. Rich navy or wine-colored curtains will make a big room feel cozier. Large patterns and big prints are also well-suited to generously proportioned spaces.
Complement the Wall Color
Choose curtain colors that play well with your existing wall colors. Matching your curtains precisely to the wall color creates a unified, seamless look. The waterfall effect draws the eye upwards and makes the room feel taller. For a clean and understated aesthetic, white walls with crisp white curtains are a foolproof combo.
Sometimes a deliberate color contrast between walls and curtains looks best. If your walls are neutral, pick a curtain color that packs a punch, like coral or teal. Against dramatic dark walls, light curtains provide a pleasing contrast. Just be sure the color contrast makes sense within the overall room decor and doesn't feel jarring.
Also consider the intensity of the wall color. Pale walls with subdued hues give you more flexibility for bold curtain colors. Deep or saturated wall colors are best complemented by solid curtains in the same color family. The safest bet is choosing a curtain color a couple shades lighter or darker than the existing wall color.
Choose Fabric Wisely
Fabric choice plays a big role in selecting the right curtain colors for your space. Light, airy fabrics like cotton, linen, and voile allow sunlight through while providing a soft filter. These breezy, gauzy fabrics suit bright curtain colors and work well in living rooms. Velvet, brocade, faux silk and other luxe fabrics in darker colors can block light penetration, ideal for bedrooms.
Sheer curtains that billow are on-trend for boho spaces, while sturdy blackout curtains eliminate all incoming light for media rooms and nurseries. Bold prints and patterns on curtains create focal points in minimalist rooms. Regardless of your decor style, pick fabric with texture and heft suitable for the room's needs and color scheme.
Don't Overlook Prints and Patterns
Sometimes a colorful printed curtain is the perfect pop of personality. Cheerful floral curtains lend a cottage feel, while graphic prints wake up modern spaces. If the rest of your room decor consists of solids, bring in printed curtains to inject visual excitement. For patterned upholstery or bold wallpaper, solid curtains are the way to go. Combining colorful printed curtains with other prints risks looking distractingly busy.
When using printed curtains, pay attention to the scale and style of the patterns. Tiny floral prints suit intimate spaces, while large ikat or paisley designs make a statement in big rooms. The colors in the print should coordinate with the room's overall palette. Whether complementing or contrasting the other elements, the curtains will look like they belong through unified, thoughtful color choices.
Consider the Style of Your Space
Factor in your room's overall decor style as you're selecting curtain colors. For contemporary rooms with a sleek, pared-down look, go for solid curtain colors in sophisticated neutrals or bold, saturated brights. Heavy drapes are replaced with a minimalist aesthetic using unlined linen or cotton curtains. Grommets or sleek modern curtain rods keep the vibe of an urban loft or modern farmhouse.
In traditional homes, timeless classic curtain styles and colors never go out of fashion. Rich velvets in jewel tones, elaborate damask prints, and fringed trims enhance the opulent feel of a formal living room. Deep hues like royal purple and forest green complement antique furnishings. In shabby-chic cottages and bohemian homes, carefree lightweight curtains in airy pastels or soft nature-inspired prints suit the relaxed vibe.
Use Color Psychology
Harnessing the psychology of color is an impactful trick for choosing curtain colors with purpose. Warm curtain colors like red, orange and yellow evoke feelings of comfort, energy, and coziness perfect for family rooms. Cool-toned blues, greens, and purples come across as tranquil and relaxing - ideal curtain colors for bedrooms.
Bright, light curtain colors lend an airy, uplifting ambiance to any space. They make small dark rooms appear larger and brighter. Deep, bold curtain colors or blackout shades convey intimacy and drama. Dark curtains framing your window can make you feel sheltered and tucked away inside a cocoon.
Go for natural, earthy tones like beige, brown, and sage green to create a grounded, peaceful atmosphere. The psychology of color is deeply personal, so observe the mood different curtain colors evoke in you.
With all of the factors to juggle, choosing the perfect curtain colors for your home may seem tricky. But just take it step by step. Consider the room's light exposure, size, function and wall colors. Select fabrics suited to the room's needs and decor style. Use color psychology to your advantage. With this comprehensive approach, you'll pick window treatments that pull the whole room together into a harmonious, inviting space.
Experiment and have fun seeing how different curtain colors influence the mood in each of your rooms. The right hues can make you feel more focused, tranquil, or energized. Just like the pros, you'll soon be using curtain colors to create an aesthetic you love coming home to.