The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Living Room Curtains

Selecting the perfect curtains to adorn your living room windows can seem like an overwhelming task. With so many options to consider from style to color to fabric, it's difficult to know where to start. This comprehensive guide breaks down the curtain selection process into clear, actionable steps to help you confidently choose window treatments that complement your decor.

We'll provide advice on determining the right curtain function, style, dimensions, and mounting to suit your space. You'll also learn insider tips for picking fabrics and finishes that elevate your living room's aesthetic. Follow this roadmap and you'll have stunning curtains showcasing the full potential of your windows.

Determine the Function of the Curtains

The first step is identifying the functional roles you want your living room curtains to play. This decision influences later choices tremendously so consider how they should perform.

Privacy

If your living room windows offer views into your home, privacy is likely a top concern. Opt for lined curtains in heavier fabrics like damask, velvet, or brocade that fully block outside eyes when closed. Blackout curtain panels that fully darken the room also provide discretion.

Light Control

Sheer curtain panels allow soft, filtered light but don't offer total blackout capabilities. Look for lighter weight, translucent fabrics like embroidered cotton voile. For rooms needing heavy duty light dimming, combine sheers with supplementary blackout-lined curtains to customize daytime brightness.

Insulation

In cold weather climates, the right window treatments can help minimize heat loss and reduce energy bills. Curtains adding insulation value usually feature thicker, triple-woven fabrics or have blackout thermal linings. Warm materials like wool and velvet also contain heat effectively while allowing in ambient light.

Decoration

Sheer non-blackout curtains in bright solids or bold patterns paired with simple roller shades offer decorative flair without fully obstructing views or light. Go for eye-catching fabrics and details like contrast bands or trims. This approach accents windows themselves as interior focal points.

Select the Right Style for Your Space

Once you've defined the functional role of your curtains, identifying an appropriate style balancing form and function is key. Consider options either complementing your living room's current aesthetic or contrasting it through unique statement pieces.

Match Room's Existing Decor

If aiming for a cohesive feel, choose curtains featuring colors, textures and patterns echoing decorative touches already within the space. For traditional rooms with antiques or oversized furniture, embroidered damask or floral curtains support the classic vibe. Contemporary spaces full of clean lines call for unembellished linen or cotton panels in neutral solids.

Make a Statement

For pops of contrast adding visual excitement, look towards fabrics, designs or hues that differ from the overall color scheme. Strategically introduce contrast through curtains to zone spaces within open floor plans as well. Vibrant yellow striped curtains ground a mostly neutral boho-chic living area, for example.

Consider Window Shape and Ceiling Height

The shape of your windows and height of the room also factor into which curtains offer the most pleasing proportions. Arched windows can handle busier patterns like florals but balance is key. Tall ceilings call for long floor-skimming panels while cramped spaces need shortened cafe-length choices drawing eyes upwards.

Choose Colors, Patterns and Textures

Living room curtains present ample opportunities for creative expression through color, print and texture. Consider existing furniture and wall hues when deciding on shades and patterns that produce harmony. Feel free to mix textures for depth too.

Neutral Colors

Sticking with soft neutral backgrounds like cream, gray and taupe allows bolder pops of color via artwork orthrow pillows to shine. Linen or cotton sateen weave curtains in pale hues give an airy, elegant feel. Add interest through metallic sheens or variegated yarn-dyed takes on neutrals.

Bold Colors

Saturated solids make dynamic style statements, especially when playing off coordinating paint colors or contrasting with neutral furnishings. Try rich emerald curtains against clean white walls or vibrant sky blue lining large picture windows to match accent chair upholstery.

Prints and Patterns

Liven neutrals or augment color schemes by way of lively patterned curtains mixing stripes, trellis and floral designs. Geometric ikat weaves enliven boho spaces while traditional damasks, toiles and chinoiserie motifs speak to classicism. Scale and contrast balanced patterns for visual harmony.

Texture

Layer curtains of varying opacities and feels to make windows tactile focal points. Combine gauzy sheers with chunky chenille or nubby linen for pleasing depth and dimension. Curtain headers in embossed fabrics, trims or contrast taping also boost texture.

Calculate Proper Curtain Dimensions

Precision measurements ensure chosen designs hang beautifully according to plan. Consider overall desired length and accurately gauge window widths when taking notes. Account for optimal clearance allowances too.

Measure Window Width Accurately

Use a steel tape measure to note exact opening widths across the top, middle and bottom of frames. For floor length curtains, base calculations on the widest dimension. Remember to account for standard clearance by adding 3 inches on each side to enable full draw closure.

Determine Desired Length

Preferred curtain lengths depend upon overall aesthetic aims, functionality and proportions to window height. Longer styles make narrow windows appear wider through unbroken vertical lines. Below are typical measurement ranges:

• Floor Length: Barely skim floor for drama
• Puddle Length: Pile around 2 inches
• Sill Length: Reach window sills
• Cafe Length: Fall just below sills;

Account for Clearance

Make sure flat widths accommodate easy, non-restricted draw closure by planning an additional 3-4 inches per side beyond frame measurements. Floor length panels might need up to 8 extra inches eased into headings. Include clearance when calculating overall curtain yardages.

Consider Ceiling Height

The peak of your ceiling influences suitable curtain lengths as well. Extra tall walls tolerate ultra long designs without overwhelming the space. Measure ceiling height, calculate window height then plan length for ideal proportions. Extend just shy of frames in low rooms to maintain illusion of space.

Select Appropriate Fabrics

The fabric ultimately chosen for living room curtains should suit functional needs, design style and be durable enough for high traffic spaces prone to sunlight. Assess fiber content, construction quality, feels and special finishes determining which option works best.

Natural Fibers

Sustainably sourced natural fabrics like linen, cotton and silk (typically pricier) diffuse light beautifully while insulating moderately well depending on weave. Linens feel relaxed, silk offers sheen and cotton spans wide affordability and variety.

Synthetic Fibers

More affordable synthetic blends involving polyester introduce special properties like blackout capacity through layered construction. Wrinkle-resistance and amplified sheerness also come from manufactured textiles, though some seem less luxe than naturals.

Insulating Fabrics

Winter-weight fabrics help conserve energy. Wool repels dampness, retains warmth and muffles sound efficiently when used in heavy triple weave curtains or paired with flannel or quilted linings. Velvet's plush density also insulates beautifully.

Light Filtering Fabrics

Sheer, lightweight constructions enable optimal daylight diffusion. Whisper thin silk gauzes offer subtle solar screening as do embroidered cotton meshes and soft linen blends. Synthetic polyester voiles also filter effectively.

Room Darkening Fabrics

Thicker fabrics fully block external light for bedrooms or media rooms. Look for tightly woven canvas, damasks, brocades and heavier velvets or layered constructions with internal blackout linings. Solids better prevent light seepage around edges.

Child/Pet Friendly Fabrics

Curtains in high-traffic family spaces need durable, machine washable fabrics able to withstand daily abuse. Stain-guard treated microfiber fends off moisture and resists staining when cleaned promptly. Cotton duck cloth is family friendly as are odor fighting poly-linen blends.

Choose Mounting Hardware

Window frames and walls may need reinforcement to properly hang curtain rods or tracks securely. Ensure chosen mounting supports the width and weight of planned designs.

Curtain Rods

Standard 1 1/4" diameter steel or wood poles spanning minimum of 1" wider than frames are typical. For heavier wider curtains adding finials and multiple brackets every 3-4 feet boosts support. Extend rods past window edges between 6" and 12.

Tracks

Ceiling or wall mounted aluminum track systems smoothly operate curtains on carriers across spans exceeding standard rods' capacity. Tracks offer flexible control of multiple curtain panels too. Ensure compatible carrier spacer clips corresponding to chosen fabrics.

Finials and Brackets

Ornate decorative finials augment rod ends for refined polish. Brass, wood, crystal and wrought metal finishes range from classic to modern. For stronger stability, use more substantial brackets placed proportionally to rod length.

Additional Considerations

A few final but pivotal factors bear mentioning when selecting living room curtains. Lighting conditions impact visible color accuracy as do room usages suggesting specialty fabrics. And customized options provide solutions for unusually sized windows or when nothing off the rack fully satisfies.

Room Lighting

Test curtain fabric swatches at varied day times to gauge true hues as light shifts. Northern and eastern exposures get cooler morning light that can wash colors out. Afternoons produce warmer glows that intensify tones.

Window Glare

Sheers alone likely won't eliminate intense glare fully without supplementary light blocking curtains. Prioritize opaque linings for curtain panels adjacent electronics and in rooms getting direct afternoon light for maximum anti-glare effects.

Energy Efficiency

In climates experiencing cold winters and hot summers, insulating curtains add comfort and reduce utility expenses. For best results, install enclosing pelmets along with high density curtains extending past window edges to seal out drafts.

Customization Options

Custom width curtains solve fitting issues stemming from non-standard windows or when wanting extended ranges of movement. Tailored options also enable the creation of complex layered looks involving various lengths and specialized headers adding height.

With so many integral steps involved, the process of choosing living room curtains may seem challenging initially. But armed with insight on determining functionality, style elements, proper dimensions and fabric particulars, you're now prepared to fearlessly dress your windows.

Follow this comprehensive guide at each major decision point from measuring precisely to final installation. Soon you'll have beautiful made to order window treatments transforming your living room into an enviable showplace full of natural light and elevated design.