Curtains Over Blinds: The Savvy Style Trick Designers Swear By

When it comes to dressing up your windows for style and function, designers love layering curtains over horizontal blinds. This simple trick provides the privacy, light control, and aesthetic appeal of both treatments to take your rooms to the next level. The tailored lines of sleek blinds perfectly complement the softness and fullness of elegant curtains for a truly sophisticated look. Keep reading to learn why designers say this combo is a must and how to pull it off in your own home!

Why Add Curtains Over Your Blinds?

Horizontal blinds on their own get the functional job done, but can sometimes look a bit boring. By layering beautiful curtains over your blinds, you get the best of both worlds! Here are some of the top reasons to complete your blinds with coordinating drapes:

• Extra privacy - Curtains give you an added layer of seclusion from the outside.
• Better light control - Layering treatments lets you regulate incoming light even more.
• Visual interest - Curtains complement blinds with color, pattern, and soft flowing shapes.
• A polished look - The elegant combination takes any room's style up a notch.

With window treatments, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Blinds provide sleek lines, adjustability and serve practical needs. Soft, luxurious curtains lend beauty, fullness and texture. Together, they create a fashionable custom window design in any room.

Choosing Coordinating Curtains

When selecting curtains to pair with your existing horizontal blinds, there are a few helpful tips for getting it just right:

Consider the Length

The length of your curtains can make a big impact on the overall look. For a cohesive window design, choose a length that coordinates well with the length of your blinds. Floor length curtains can look amazing paired with longer blinds. For shorter blinds, consider curtains that hit at the windowsill or just below.

And don't forget you can always add a little extra length to allow the curtains to puddle attractively on the floor. Many designers will tell you not to skimp on curtain length - longer is usually better for a lush, elegant look.

Layer the Curtains

Instead of simply hanging curtains over the window blinds, consider layering them behind and in front of the blinds for added dimension. Place the curtain rod extending past the window on either side, allowing the curtain panels to stack with soft folds behind the blinds. Then let the front panel drape over the blinds, covering the hardware and framing the window beautifully.

Having the curtains both behind and in front of the blinds creates a more dynamic look with light filtering through the spaces between the blinds and curtains. This is a favorite trick of many professional designers.

Complementary or Contrasting Patterns

The pattern you choose for curtains can make a big difference in the overall effect. To create a seamless look, select a patterned curtain that complements the lines and color of the blinds. For example, solid curtains work well with patterned blinds. Or pair wide horizontal stripe curtains with matching wood blinds.

If you prefer something more eye-catching, try a curtain with a bold pattern that pops against simple blind slats. Contrasting prints can look amazing when skillfully combined. Just avoid busy patterns that compete too much with the horizontal lines of the blinds.

Fabric and Texture

Curtains come in an endless array of fabrics, from breezy sheers to rich velvets and everything in between. Consider the rest of your room decor when selecting fabrics. Lightweight transparent fabrics work for a soft ethereal vibe, while textured fabrics like linen, chenille, or velvet make a sophisticated style statement.

The possibilities are wide open for the curtain and blind combo! Try noise-reducing, blackout, or room darkening curtains for bedrooms. Or opt for light-filtering sheers for living rooms and offices. Choose the fabric that suits your functional needs and design aesthetic.

Color Schemes

Color choice brings everything together. You can select curtains in the same color family as the window blinds to create a streamlined, monochromatic look. Soft grey curtains over white wood blinds, for example.

For drama, pick curtain colors that pop against the blinds. Vivid yellow curtains over black aluminum blinds make an exciting contrast. Complementary color schemes also work beautifully, like navy curtains paired with white vinyl blinds.

Whichever direction you go - matching, contrasting, bold or subtle - choose colors that complement each other and fit the overall style of the room. Curtain and blind colors should enhance, not compete.

Mixing and Matching Textures

An important design aspect when pairing curtains and blinds is playing with varied textures. Consider choosing curtains in plush fabrics and then contrasting them with sleek metal or wood blinds. This creates visual interest while also softening the hard lines of the window blinds.

Light linen or finely woven sheer curtains provide the perfect airy contrast to wood venetian blinds. Likewise, rich velvet or brocade drapes make an elegant foil for the severity of metal blinds. Mixing the textures is key for depth, dimension, and overall balance.

Perfect Curtain and Blind Combos

Once you understand the design principles, it's easy to create perfect curtain and blind pairings for any room. Here are some foolproof combos:

Formal Living Room

In a formal living room, luxurious floor-length drapes in a color like navy blue or emerald green over natural wood or faux wood horizontal blinds never fails to impress. Add details like trim and ornate finials on the curtain rods for extra elegance. Contrast the drapes' luscious folds against the clean lines of the wood blinds.

Bedroom Retreat

Create a serene bedroom retreat with relaxed Roman shades or casual patterned curtains over no-fuss aluminum blinds in a matching hue. For maximum privacy and darkness, use soft blackout curtains over the blinds to block light and sleep soundly.

Stylish Dining Room

Make a fashionable statement in your dining room with pretty patterned curtains in sunny yellow floral or bold graphic prints over coordinating faux wood blinds. The lively patterns and mix of hard and soft window treatments create visual flair.

Home Office

Keep your home office light and airy with breezy white sheers over simple vinyl blinds in a matching bone white or light grey. Add sound-dampening insulation between the curtain panels for a peaceful workspace. The sheer curtains soften the vinyl slats while still allowing in natural light.

As you can see, the simple yet clever trick of adding curtains over blinds can completely transform ordinary, basic windows. Tailor your combo to suit your personal style and the room's needs.

Expert Tips from Designers

If you want your curtain and blind pairings to have that ultra-polished designer look, take these pro tips to heart:

• Hang curtain rods much wider than the window frame - at least 4 to 6 inches wider on each side.
• Splurge on generous curtain length and allow panels to puddle luxuriously on floor.
• Layer panels behind and in front of blinds for added dimension.
• Choose colors and patterns that complement, rather than competing with each other.

Following the lead of the best designers will give your curtain and blind combo elegance worthy of a magazine spread. With the right fabrics, attention to detail, and creative pairings, your windows will stop people in their tracks!

Common Mistakes

While combining blinds and curtains might sound simple, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:

• Picking curtains with busy, competing patterns that clash with blind lines
• Going too skimpy on curtain length - longer is better!
• Hanging curtain rod too narrow inside window frame
• Using curtain fabrics that are too lightweight and feel insubstantial

Pay attention to the design details and quality of execution, and your curtains over blinds will look like a million bucks! It's well worth taking the time to get it right.

As you can see, layering beautiful, flowing curtains over sleek horizontal blinds is an ingenious way to maximize your window style. The pairing combines the best functional properties of both treatments while also creating a polished, custom designer look.

Follow the tips to choose perfectly coordinating fabrics, colors and patterns that complement rather than compete. Experiment with mixing textures and layering the curtains for added dimension. Take the extra time to hang curtains generously and attend to the decorative details.

Hanging luxurious curtains over clean-lined blinds frames your windows with elegance and sophistication. By employing this savvy style trick of the designers, you can easily take your rooms from boring to breathtaking! Your windows will shine as the jewel box focal points they deserve to be.