As the gathering space within a home, the living room is usually the very room we put the most work into furnishing and decorating.
It’s supposed to be welcoming, warm and comfortable.
Though curtains aren’t included in many modern living rooms, they can very well be that finishing touch that turns a house into a home.
If you’ve decided to enrich your own lounge with pretty curtains, read on to find out about different types of curtains as well as some styling tips.
1. Prioritize Privacy
The main functional purpose of curtains is fairly obvious – it’s to protect your day-to-day privacy from prying eyes.
Especially nowadays when anyone who can afford monumental windows will not pass up on getting them.
They are beautiful and luxurious, but they do leave the inside of the home exposed. Seek stylish curtains that allow you to leave your windows open when it suits you, and cover them up when it doesn’t.
2. Allow Sunlight In
Gentle sheer curtains get the job done when protecting your privacy is concerned, though they don’t block the natural light from brightening up the room.
3. Perfectly Matching
Choose curtains that match your room to a tee. In the above picture, for instance, you may see that vertical lines are dominant in both decor and the overall interior design.
Get yourself the curtains that match the theme of your space in a similar way to achieve complete cohesion.
4. Use Curtains to Create Contrast
Curtains can blend into the wall perfectly, but they can also be used to introduce contrast.
If your walls are dark, dress your windows in bright curtains and vice versa.
5. Ceiling to the Floor
Much like most other decorative objects, curtains can be used to seemingly affect the overall proportions of the space.
For instance, the above living room is designed to have a majorly tall ceiling. If the curtains were hung any lower, the ceiling would appear shorter.
Likewise, if you’re stuck with a short ceiling, hanging your curtains super high could help visually elongate the walls.
6. Half-Up Curtains
The so-called cafe curtains are a clever way to allow pure sunlight and also protect the residents’ privacy.
They only cover the window to the height that passers-by reach, while leaving the upper part open. Not to mention, they have a particular country vibe to them.
7. Creating Symmetry
Use your curtains to promote the symmetry of the interior.
Make them the frame and the background of the major furniture and decor of the room.
8. The Maximalist Appeal
If you’re looking to upscale your maximalist living room, curtains are an absolute must-have.
Seek a striking pattern and elegant shape to achieve the best effect.
9. Country Curtains
Whether it’s the English countryside or the rustic interior design style you’re pursuing, striped linen curtains are an optimal choice.
10. Pleat Curtains
Pleat curtains and drapes are an inherently elegant addition to any home.
They promote the clean and breezy aesthetic and look especially lovely with a pullback.
11. The Drapes Alternative
If you wish to provide your room with plenty of shade and also promote a breezy look, consider replacing your curtain with a drape.
The two are usually combined, but they also work very well separately.
12. Create a Uniformed Space
Wow your perfectionist friends with curtains that share the pattern of your wallpaper.
13. Curtains Over Blinds
Some rooms benefit more from blinds than the classic curtains alone, while others call for the combination of the two.
Pair your modern blinds with equally as modern curtains, and your woven blinds with curtains in fun patterns.
14. Match Your Windows
Some interiors can get away with the same curtain shape for all the different types of windows as well as balcony doors.
Others require some diversity. Introduce a variety of curtain types into your space, just make sure they’re all made of the same fabric.
15. Curtain as a Room Border
Take advantage of sheer curtains to introduce the softest border in your interior.
Make sure the rod is clean and professionally installed so that it doesn’t hinder the overall aesthetic of the room.
16. Double Panel
Single or double panels look pretty much the same when the curtains are drawn.
However, when they’re open the double panel arguably looks better as it appeals to our subconscious love for symmetry.
17. Brass Rod
Hang your curtain upon a brass rod to promote the elegance of the room. These rods work best in country, antique-inspired, and maximalist interiors.
18. Shapely Invisible Rod
Modern interior lovers usually aim to completely hide their curtain rods. However, if the plain white line isn’t your cup of tea either, consider introducing some shape.
This allows you to have a both clean and minimalist space while keeping it somewhat dynamic.
19. The Gradient Effect
Create a gradient effect with your curtains by combining curtains and drapes with a little twist.
While you’d commonly hang the curtain in the back and the drape in the front, simply switch it up. The sheer fabric of the curtain will allow the drapes to blend in and create the desired effect.
20. Focus On Softness
If you’re promoting softness in your interior overall, make sure your curtains and drapes are to match.
Everything from sheer fabrics, gentle patterns, and careful layering will work.
21. Neat Curtain Panels
If you’re including multiple curtain panels, make sure to get a so to speak ‘yielding fabric’ so that when the curtains are pulled they retain their neatness.
Various pleat curtain models will work the best. On the other hand, you should avoid flowy fabrics because they won’t stay in place.
22. No Cutting Corners
Use curtain pullbacks to maximize the aesthetic of an odd corner.
23. Windows Only?
Where curtains are concerned, don’t limit yourself only to the windows. These fabrics can serve as beautiful room borders and a fun way to dress your door.
24. Subtle Matches
Your curtains don’t necessarily have to match every single piece of decor you have. Decide on your accents and match the curtains to them.
For instance, in the above living room, the curtains match the blue painting on the wall.
25. Mixed Patterns
Are you a lover of color?
If you’re designing your entire room in the rainbow aesthetic, why should the curtains be any different? Combine various patterns to promote your desired interior style.
In Conclusion
The main thing that curtains provide the interior is the finished look.
Some spaces work wonderfully with bare windows, though others tend to look unpolished unless the windows are dressed up.
If your living room counts among the latter, make sure to include stylish curtains in its design. They’ll make for a more elegant, put together, and overall homey space.
