Children's Room: How to Choose Curtains?
A child's bedroom is a place for rest, learning, and comfort—a place where children feel at ease. Like any other room in the house, the decor of a child's bedroom should therefore be chosen with care.
Among the key decorative elements, curtains in a child’s room help create a cozy atmosphere and insulate the room from cold and heat. This is one of the reasons why, before choosing curtains, it’s essential to identify your needs. When it comes to the question, “How do you choose the right curtains?” the answer depends first and foremost on the room’s overall decor, but also on individual tastes and expectations. Here are the key points to consider to ensure you make the right choice.
Choosing Materials
Even before choosing the color or patterns for the windows in a child’s bedroom, it’s essential to decide on the thickness of the curtains. After all, children go to bed fairly early—especially depending on the time of year—and sometimes it may not be completely dark yet. If the window doesn’t have shutters, it’s important to choose blackout curtains. On the other hand, if there are shutters, you have much more flexibility in choosing the thickness.
Once you’ve decided on the thickness of the curtains, it’s also important to keep in mind that children grow, and that the decor may need to be updated as they do. Asking yourself this question helps you, among other things, to approach the bedroom’s decor in a thoughtful way and minimize waste. However, this consideration is not at odds with the desire to create a child-friendly bedroom.
Sheer curtains
Children truly enjoy playing and thriving in their living space. It is therefore very important that they be able to wake up in a bright bedroom. Sheer curtains are the ideal choice for creating a warm atmosphere while providing privacy. They let light in and come in a wide variety of colors, making it easy to elegantly decorate a girl’s or boy’s bedroom.
Cotton
A must-have and timeless classic, cotton curtains are made from a natural material that—when sourced from organic farming—is perfect for a child’s bedroom. In fact, organic cotton curtains do not release toxic substances and are safe for children’s health. Very practical, cotton curtains also come in a wide variety of colors and are very easy to care for.
Velvet
Velvet appeals to young and old alike with its elegance and softness. It is synonymous with comfort and warmth, and is perfect for decorating a child’s bedroom. In addition to its ability to filter light, it also provides protection from the winter chill. Available in a wide range of colors, velvet curtains appeal to children of all ages, both girls and boys.
Blackout fabric
Blackout curtains offer many benefits. In a bedroom without shutters, they are essential for keeping the room completely dark at any time of day. Once again, these curtains—which are completely opaque—come in a wide variety of colors to suit everyone’s tastes and needs.
The Awning
In a dark room or one with shutters, it’s a good idea to choose blinds over curtains. Blinds—whether white or colored—allow light to enter. However, this is recommended only when the room is small and the windows are narrow.
Choosing a Color
Whether it’s a girl’s or a boy’s bedroom, when it comes to decorating, the key is harmony. Depending on the child’s age—and if they’re able to express their tastes and preferences—you can involve them in choosing the curtains. It’s also important for the child to feel comfortable in their room. However, it’s clear that they aren’t always able to make decisions about decor, especially since curtains should complement the room thoughtfully and coordinate with the colors and tones of the room or the furniture.
Solid-color curtains
The color of the curtains depends primarily on the color of the furniture and the overall style of the room. In a room with a muted color scheme, it’s a good idea to choose curtains in bright, vibrant colors. Conversely, in a very colorful room—or one with patterned wallpaper typical of a child’s room—it’s best to choose pastel curtains, or even gray or white ones. It’s also worth noting that when choosing sheers, you can mix two colors. For a more original look, a bright color pairs perfectly with a dark or pastel shade.
For a shared bedroom or a timeless decor scheme, it’s recommended to choose curtains in shades of cream, beige, taupe, or gray, or warm colors like yellow or orange. These colors are suitable for all ages and will remain timeless as the child grows.
Patterned curtains
If there’s one room where patterned curtains are truly appreciated, it’s undoubtedly a child’s bedroom. Choosing patterned curtains featuring animals or heroes that the child loves is a great way to personalize the room. This way, the child spends time in a space that reflects their personality and that they love. Patterned curtains fit perfectly into a themed bedroom. For example, in a jungle-themed room, curtains with a leaf pattern would be perfect, and in an astronaut-themed room, curtains featuring rockets would be a hit.
Patterned curtains can also feature stripes or polka dots, since the term “pattern” isn’t necessarily synonymous with extravagance. Finally, patterned curtains can help balance out a simple, timeless decor. It’s worth noting that it’s easier to change the curtains as a child grows up than to redecorate their entire room.
In short, like any decorative element, choosing curtains is first and foremost a matter of taste. However, there are many ways to dress the windows in a child’s bedroom. The choice therefore depends on creating harmony and personalizing the space.
Curtains should always be both practical and attractive. It’s essential to be able to block out all light when putting a child to bed and during nap time. However, it’s crucial that the curtains complement the room’s dominant colors and other design elements. Finally, when it comes to a child’s bedroom, many people prefer to choose a decor that will stand the test of time.
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