It’s surprising how important the window treatments are in the interior design of a room. A space without shades or curtains just doesn’t look complete and as soon as you add this last detail everything suddenly falls into place.
With that in mind, today we’re going to check out some interesting living room curtains and we’ll also have a look at some different types of curtains and how they influence the surrounding decor. Choose your favorite ideas and let them inspire you and look for ways to customize the designs in ways that suit your home and style.
Types of curtains
Obviously, not all curtains are the same. There’s a variety of different types that you can choose from if you want to add some flair and style to your home. Here’s some that you might not be aware of:
- Austrian curtains – you can identify these curtains by the scalloped pattern which they form. They have these sections that form a scalloped pattern horizontally but also a striped pattern vertically.
- Blackout curtains – as the name suggests, these curtains are meant to completely block the light. They’re great for bedrooms and media rooms.
- Curtain panels – that’s just a term used to describe a single drape which you can purchase separately as opposed to a set of two which is known as a curtain pair.
- Grommet panels – you probably already know about these but you might not be aware they’re called like this. These are curtains which are suspended from metal rings fed through a curtain rod. The metal rings look like they’re embedded into the curtains.
- Pinch pleat-draped – these curtains have numerous pleats or evenly-spaced folds pinches at the top and either make use of rings or pin hooks to then be attached to curtain rods.
- Priscilla curtains – this is not really a popular type but it does have a very distinctive look. The curtains in this case are ruffled and they’re mounted on two separate rods which allows them to overlap.
- Sheer curtains – these are popular in a lot of different styles and types of décor. They’re semi-transparent curtains which means they offer some privacy but they also let light through and don’t block the view completely.
- Tab top panels – this term is used to describe a type of curtain which is suspended from fabric loops as opposed to metal rings or other accessories. These are slid over a curtain rod.
- Thermal curtains – in case you weren’t aware, there’s a type of curtains which provide a layer of insulation and can also dampen sound. They have a layer of acrylic foam between layers of fabric and they’re excellent if you have drafty windows or live near a noisy road.
- Cafe curtains – also called tiers these curtains are short and only cover the bottom portion of a window. They’re typically used in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Valances – these are similar to tiers but are installed on the top portion of a window. They can also be used in combination with a second separate type of curtains.
How long should the curtains be?
As you probably also know, curtains can have different lengths. Some are designed to be short and some are designed to be long but there’s also an in-between option and many types can be customized to have the particular length that you desire.
Floor-to-ceiling
Long curtains that hang from the ceiling and go all the way down to the floor are very popular. They’re really great because they help to make spaces appear taller. That’s due to the fact that our eyes are instinctively drawn up towards the highest point of the curtains. Of course, they can also be used to make a high ceiling seem even higher.
Short
If floor-to-ceiling curtains make rooms seem taller then short curtains must do the opposite, right? Well, yes, in a way. They basically cut the visual height of the room so it won’t appear taller but they don’t necessarily make it seem shorter in comparison. They do have their own advantages. For instance, short curtains are quite practical, especially if you have kids or pets or if you don’t want to block the radiators. They’re also nice if you want to give a room a sort of retro look.
Cafe curtains
This is a very distinctive type of curtains which, as mentioned before, only covers the bottom portion of a window. They’re named this way because they were very popular in cafes and restaurants where they were chosen because they were practical. They’re perfect for kitchens and bathrooms because they give you privacy but they don’t completely block the window and the light.
Long curtains
This term may seem a bit ambiguous but in this case we refer to those types of curtains that are long enough to hit the floor. They tend to have a more dramatic and theatrical look compared to others and they can help a simple space look more sophisticated. They are however not as practical and they make cleaning quite difficult.
Beautiful living room curtain inspiration
There’s a lot to think about before choosing the curtains for the living room. The material, texture, length, style and color all matter and it’s usually a matter of finding the right combination. In this case, for example, interior designer Rachel Blindauer opted for a light shade of gray and a very subtle pattern, a combination which suits this elegant living room perfectly.
It’s often nice to match the living room curtains to some other interior design element which can either be a piece of furniture, an accessory or in this case a piece of artwork displayed on the adjacent wall. The rich, dark blue contrasts with the neutral-colored walls and the sofa in a pleasant way. This is a design completed by studio Melián Randolph.
Chose the color of the curtains and the material based on the amount of light that you want to let into the room as well as on the type of atmosphere that you wish to create. We love how cozy and luminous this living room designed by Louisa Grey of House of Grey is. They’re simple and they offer privacy but they don’t block the light completely. Also, they add texture and color to the already gorgeous living room.
A dark color can look super elegant and quite sophisticated without making the room seem dark and gloomy. Opt for dark-colored curtains which can be easily opened up to let more light in. They’re great because you can close them off on a sunny day and watch TV in perfect conditions without outside disturbances. Let this design by Studio Duggan inspire you.
The living room curtains can play multiple roles. Here, for example, they emphasize the height of the room, framing the tall windows and drawing attention to the ceiling. At the same time they complement the furniture, featuring a color almost identical to that of the armchair. This is a space designed by Shawn Henderson.
This space designed by studio Interior Design Philosophy is very inspiring, showing the more creative side of living room curtains. The interior decor of this place is quite artistic and there’s a multitude of colors here that seamlessly complement each other. Even the curtains have different colors.
Even if the window curtains are an important part of a living room’s overall design and decor they don’t necessarily have to stand out. They can seamlessly blend in and take a cue from the rest of the things in the room such as the furniture, the color of the walls, rugs, lighting fixtures and so on. We have the perfect example here, a space designed by Undercurrent Architects.
The design strategies mentioned here don’t apply only to living room curtains but to pretty much any type of window treatments. Check out this lovely space designed by Bria Hammel Interiors. It has such a soft and feminine vibe and the colors are so pleasant and so luminous without being cliches and without becoming overwhelming.
Another good design strategy is to keep the color palette simple and to play with various different patterns and textures. For example, this living room has a bunch of decorative pillows with stripes patterns and the window curtains bring in a second pattern which is a very welcomed addition, balancing out the decor.{image from jacobsnavely}.
Color is not the only thing that can make a space look amazing and exciting. This neutral-colored living room is the perfect example. It’s effortlessly elegant and timeless, featuring grey curtains that beautifully frame the bay windows and complement the rest of the neutral color tones.{found on agatacdesign}.
Of course, you can play with color and with pattern and create an eclectic design that showcases your own unique style. In such a space it might be difficult to create focal points. The window curtains featured here might stand out in a different type of space but here they blend in almost seamlessly. This is a design done by Frampton Co.
The right curtains can completely change a space even if they might not seem that important at first. Take this classy and elegant living room for example. Those sumptuous golden curtains give the room a sophisticated vibe and really bring out the beauty in the architecture and overall style of the building. This was a project by Toronto Interior Design Group.
If you want the focus to be on the views or to remain on particular interior design elements in the room, neutral-colored window curtains are usually a good option. White curtains are pretty timeless and have a nice Scandinavian vibe which makes spaces feel extra cozy and fresh.
A minimal focus on color combined with maximum attention to texture can result in a very beautiful and harmonious interior design. This is just a simple example of a small living room with bay windows, light gray curtains and a matching sofa.{image on pcraig}.
In a lot of cases, the window curtains can be used to express a particular style or design direction. In a traditional setting such as this one, the curtains would play an important role and would be quite eye-catching and sumptuous-looking.{found on yiangou}.
In a modern or a contemporary setting, simplicity is key to a clean and harmonious decor is to be expected. Consider white sheer curtains which offer privacy without completely blocking the light or the views. They go well with colored walls and casual furniture.{found on zulufish}.
A bold color can draw unnecessary attention to the curtains but if the choice is deliberate then the whole room changes. These extra-long, dark green curtains coordinate with the sofa and give this living room a very glamorous and theatrical feel. The brass and golden accents are the perfect choices in this particular scenario.
In this case the windows form a beautiful alcove and the curtains extend on three sides and play an important role in the overall appearance of the living room. Studio CD managed to create a very refined décor with a hint of mystery and opulence. The choice of color is just right, not too bland but not too bold either.
This beautiful living room designed by Ashley Gilbreath is bathed in natural sunlight and has a very airy and breezy look. The white curtains enhance the spaciousness and openness of the room and frame the large windows and almost blend into the walls while doing it.
White breezy curtains also adorn this beautiful sitting area inside a Victorian townhouse. They’re almost indistinguishable and yet they do a lot to make this space look and feel magnificent. The red sofa is the center of attention and the rest of the décor is intentionally kept simple in order to provide a clean and clear contrast with the accent colors.
The pink curtains add a really cute vibe to this living room designed by Minnie Peters. They also introduce more texture into the space and they seem to coordinate beautifully with some of the accent pillows on the sofa as well as the colors on the area rug.
This is the interior of an art studio situated inside an old factory building. It was beautifully transformed by Ewelina Makosa and Jan Garncarek and has a bunch of cool and interesting features. The high ceiling is definitely magnificent and the breezy curtains emphasize the height of the space in a really great way. They also contrast with the unfinished wall textures and create a lovely décor.
This living room and the spaces around it make use of a neutral color palette based on black and white accents. This gives the interior a very clean, fresh and serene look and a timeless appeal. The sheer curtains are a perfect fit for the space, allowing the light to filter through but at the same time adding a nice level of privacy without being completely opaque. This interior was designed by Espejo & Goyanes.
This is another example of how magnificent a living room can be when you have large windows with sheer curtains. The light shines through and has a soft and delicate impact on the sitting area which is decorated with lots of light grey tones, lovely textures, patterns and warm accent colors. This was a project completed by Bask Interiors.
An old workshop in Paris was transformed by Batiik Studio into a charming apartment and the emphasis throughout the entire project was on the super high ceilings. The skylights, wall art and also the curtains draw attention to the height of the spaces and all the lights that comes in.
This house in Madrid designed by Estudio Maria Santos may not have soaring ceilings but it makes up for that with a very light and soothing palette of colors and materials. Most of the living area is monochrome with rich splashes of blue and Mediterranean influences. The curtains seamlessly blend in with the walls and only soften the overall décor with their texture.
We love how rich and deep the colors of these curtains is. The red looks absolutely magnificent in the context of this black and white living room. They’re the main focal point of the space and immediately draw attention in theatrical and dramatic way without overpowering the décor.
DIY curtain rods
There’s two main things you need when adding curtains to a room: the rod and the curtains themselves. Let’s take it one thing at a time and focus on the curtain rods first. Here’s a few DIY idea that you might want to give a try.
A curtain rod is more or less just a pipe hanging from a wall or a ceiling. With that in mind, you could actually use metal pipes to make your own curtain rods from scratch. This tutorial from chatfieldcourt can show you how. Keep in mind that you can adjust these dimensions to fit your own curtains and your own needs and preferences.
Instead of metal pipes you could also use a wooden dowel instead. It’s better if you want a look that’s more traditional and that adds more warmth to the décor. To hang the rod you can also use wood brackets. You can find all the details on maisondepax if you’re interested in this sort of project.
There’s also multiple ways in which you can hang or attach the curtain rod to the wall. If you want a casual look there’s a method that’s both super cheap and simple from an installation point of view. It involves using leather scraps to make straps that wrap around the rod and hold it in place. It’s an idea that we got from papernstitchblog.
Another option that’s cheap and simple involves using electrical conduit instead of pipes or dowels. This will give your curtain rods a super thin and sleek look which can keep the décor looking light and airy. Head over to graceinmyspace for a tutorial on how to make this type of rods from scratch.
You can also put together custom curtain rods by just mixing and matching the usual components like the rod itself which can be a simple closet rod, a pair of wooden finials and two or three hooks. Pick and choose the parts that you like and then put them all together. You can find more tips and ideas on theshabbycreekcottage.
Here’s another example of how you can make curtain rods using electrical conduit. In this design from anikasdiylife the rods look really elegant. They’re simple and great for modern and contemporary decors but they also leave you plenty of options if you want to customize them further.
DIY curtains
Now it’s time for the second most important element: the actual curtains. Making your own curtains is a great way of personalizing a room’s décor, giving it an original look or dealing with certain constraints that prevent you from simply buying ready-made curtains. Let’s have a look at a few options.
If you’re a fan of long curtains but you’re intimidated by them and you’re worried you won’t be able to make them look perfectly straight or you’ll get lost in details, check out this tutorial from artsychicksrule. It explains how easy it is to make a no-sew curtain panel from scratch. That’s right, there’s no sewing involved at all.
It’s not just the classic floor-to-ceiling curtains that are easy to make from scratch but also plenty of other types of window treatments as well. For instance, this rolled fabric shade featured on theinspiredroom could look really cool in a laundry room, home office or a kitchen. Like before, this is a no-sew project.
Want to make some cafe curtains? That’s super easy and a great way to make your kitchen, a hallway or even your dining room look more cozy and inviting. Check out these lovely red and white curtains from savvysouthernstyle. They’re both easy to make and good-looking and you don’t even need a sewing machine to make them.
Some curtains can be purely decorative and that actually makes your job easier. The most important thing to worry about is the fabric so pick a design and a color palette that you like and that compliments the room. Then head over to cleverlyinspired to find out just how easy it is to make curtain panels from scratch.
Curtains are also an important accessory for achieving a particular style or creating a certain type of mood and ambiance in a room. These long white curtains featured on musthavemom for example are perfect for a farmhouse-inspired home. They look delicate and they also give the room a bright and inviting look. Check out the tutorial to see how they were made.
A lot of details can impact the final look of your curtains, things like the length, the type of fabric that they’re made of, the color and also the pattern. Speaking of pattern, did you know you can stencil your curtains at home? That’s actually a cool idea if you want to give your existing curtains a total makeover. Check out sondralynathome for more details.
If you really want to be original, then why use regular curtains at all? Wouldn’t it be more interesting to come up with another idea and a unique way of decorating your windows. There’s some really cool ideas on debbie-debbiedoos which we like such as using napkins as window treatments or making curtains out of repurposed tablecloths.
The post How To Pick Living Room Curtains That Perfectly Match Your Style appeared first on Home Decorating Trends - Homedit.
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