Our Tips for Choosing the Right Color for Your Curtains
To create a cozy interior, it’s a good idea to hang curtains on the windows in the living room or bedroom. Curtains help filter natural light, which contributes to a soft, subdued atmosphere. However, it’s important to choose the right curtains. It’s therefore very important that the style you select combines aesthetics and functionality, because in addition to their practical use, curtains are decorative elements in their own right.
As such, the color of the curtains is a key factor in the selection process. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right shade of curtains for your home? According to interior design professionals, there are several factors to consider when selecting the right shade of curtains for a room. Here’s how.
Choosing a curtain color based on the size of the room
It may seem unlikely, but the size of the room can play a crucial role in choosing the color of the curtains. Depending on whether the room is small or large, the shade of the curtains won’t be quite the same. The fact is that certain colors tend to make the space feel smaller and heavier, while others give the impression of adding several square meters. Ultimately, the ideal curtain color is one that creates an optical illusion by transforming the room’s dimensions.
To change the perception of space using color, follow these tips:
- Choose pastel shades, light colors, or neutral tones—such as white or beige—which visually enlarge the space and brighten it at the same time;
- use lighter or darker shades to play with the room's sense of space;
- Play with the contrasts of bold colors like purple, green, or orange in large, light-filled rooms.
Matching the color of the curtains to other decorative elements
A house has several rooms. They differ from one another not only in size but also in how they are decorated with carefully selected decorative accessories. Thus, while the size of the room is important when choosing the color of its curtains, the type of room is no less of a determining factor, according to interior design experts and professionals. According to them, it is important to coordinate the color of the curtains with the rest of the room, taking into account the other decorative elements. This helps create a sense of harmony.
While in a bedroom it might be nice to match the color of the curtains to the blanket or comforter, in the living room, for example, the color of the curtains can be matched to that of the sofa. To pull off this combination successfully, there are two options:
- Use the monochromatic color scheme— a technique that has become very popular in fashion and is enjoying tremendous success in interior design. It involves using a single color in various shades to create a harmonious look. For example, sky blue + pastel blue + azure blue. Combining achromatic colors (a palette of pastel shades) is also a great idea;
- Play with the contrast of complementary colors, because—unlike the first option—this involves selecting colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel: primary colors (blue, yellow, and red), secondary colors (green, orange, and purple), and tertiary colors created by mixing primary and secondary colors. For example, the complementary color of blue is orange.
Match the shade of the curtains to the color of the walls
When choosing the color of your curtains, you need to take the color of the walls into account. Depending on whether the wall is neutral or colored, the color of the curtains should not be the same. This obviously makes perfect sense in order to maintain a certain harmony in the room.
With white, gray, or beige walls, there are plenty of options. You can opt for colorful curtains (brown, green, sky blue, or lavender) and let your imagination run wild by choosing vibrant colors to brighten up the entire room. On the other hand, to create a softer look, it’s best to choose neutral curtains in white, beige, or gray. Mixing achromatic colors can also be an interesting option to explore. This has the advantage of creating a warm atmosphere.
With colorful walls, it’s best not to take any chances. Neutral colors are therefore a safe bet to avoid any fashion faux pas. Experts strongly recommend curtains in neutral colors. Instead of white curtains, for example, you might opt for an off-white fabric. A “tone-on-tone” look is also a perfectly viable option. However, it’s best if the curtains are slightly lighter in color than the walls.
Choosing a Curtain Color Based on Your Decor Style
When talking about room design, we’re also referring to the decor style and the atmosphere of the space. These are, in fact, key factors in choosing the color of the curtains. Depending on whether the space has a minimalist or pop decor style, you might opt, for example, for neutral colors (gray, beige, white, etc.) or more vibrant ones (red, orange, green, yellow, etc.). Since each decor style has its own conventions, it’s important to stick to them to maintain a beautiful overall harmony.
As a general rule, in a classically styled room or a rustic setting, it’s best to choose solid-colored curtains, ideally in subdued shades. On the other hand, in a modern and contemporary decor—characterized by a certain dynamism and more defined lines—you can afford to be a little more daring by opting for colorful curtains. The same goes for a room with an original decor, for that matter. Brightly colored curtains also help maintain that touch of creativity that defines this decor style.
Furthermore, the choice will differ depending on whether it’s a child’s room or an adult’s room. Interior design professionals pay close attention to this detail—which isn’t really a detail at all. In fact, these two rooms should have very different atmospheres, which calls for different approaches to decorating. While in a child’s bedroom you can get away with choosing curtains in bright, vibrant colors, in an adult’s bedroom the trend leans more toward simplicity.
We recommend these other pages:
- What kind of curtains should you choose for your living room?
- What kind of curtains should you choose for your bedroom?
- What kind of curtains should you choose for your bathroom?
- What kind of curtains should you choose for your kitchen?
- What kind of curtains should you choose for a child's bedroom?
- How to Choose White Curtains?