Choosing a nice pair of curtains for my living room has been quite the journey! I was originally looking for something modern and stylish but also cozy, curtains that would tie the room together with my existing decor. After all, curtains can make a huge difference in how a space feels and looks. Here’s what I learned along the way – and a few tips that might help you find the perfect curtains for your own space!

Consider Your Space’s Existing Decorating Style

Before diving into curtain types, it’s good to keep in mind your overall decorating style of your room. I looked at the decorating I already had: the wall color and the color of the furniture, to make sure that whatever I picked wouldn’t clash. My living room has a modern, minimalist vibe, so I knew I wanted to choose curtains that would keep that feel going without overpowering the room. If your current space has a more traditional, boho, or eclectic feel, you might have more freedom to go bold!

Why I Love Boho Curtains

One curtain style that really caught my eye during my search was boho curtains. There’s something so special about boho curtains that makes them feel very laid-back, it must be the earthy tones, fringe, and unique patterns. I’m a fan of the natural vibe and soft feel they bring to a room – they make any space feel like you want to relax and enjoy your stay. If you’re like me and love mixing a bit of natural textures, boho curtains are a curtain style you should definitely consider. They’re also surprisingly versatile and work with a wide range of decorating styles; they can look great in more eclectic settings but can fit into a modern decorated room as well, especially if you go for something with neutral colors.

Different Curtain Styles to Consider

Once I figured out the general style of curtains I wanted, I started exploring different styles. Here are a few common curtain styles available on the market:

1. Sheer Curtains
   Almost see-through but provide just enough privacy, sheer curtains are perfect if you want some natural light to come through but still need some coverage. They’re very light weight, airy, and go well with almost any type of decorating style. I found that they work really well combined as an additional layer with heavier curtains, which I sometimes use if I want more light control.
2. Blackout Curtains
   If your living room is turned south and gets a lot of natural sunlight or faces a busy street, blackout curtains can do wonders for your space. They’re usually thick and often lined with blackout fabric, blocking out light and noise. I didn’t end up choosing them, but I can see how they’d be ideal if you love a dark, cozy atmosphere – or if you love watching movies and like to block out all daylight for that cinema feel!
3. Boho Curtains
   As I mentioned earlier, boho curtains are my personal favorite curtain type. Boho curtains have a relaxed, artistic vibe with their earthy colors, interesting patterns, and sometimes even handwoven designs. I love this type of curtains because they add so much character to a space, especially with their woven textures and tassels that give them a bit of character. They are not that common in every store, but they’re worth looking for if you want something unique.
4. Velvet Curtains
   For a touch of romantic elegance, velvet curtains add instant luxury and look so expensive. They’re usually heavier, making them great for privacy, and they feel so soft and plush. This time, I didn’t purchase velvet curtains, but they’re on my list for a future project. They add a lot of drama to a space – perfect if you want your living room to feel grand.
5. Patterned Curtains
   Sometimes, all it takes to tie a room together is a bold patterned curtain. I looked at a few different patterns, especially geometric and floral designs, but I was careful not to go too bold since I didn’t want them to clash with my decor. If your space is missing a little something, patterned curtains can really make a statement piece in your room.

Choosing the Right Color and Length

After you have chosen a curtain style, think about what color you would like to choose. For my last decorating project, I kept it simple and stuck with neutrals, which makes it easy to match other decor down the line. But if you want to make your curtains a statement piece in your room or a focal point, don’t be afraid to go bold with deep blues, rich greens, or even mustard yellows.

When considering the length for your curtains, floor length is usually the best choice because it gives the room a more sophisticated look. It’s a good idea to hang them high, close to the ceiling, as it can make your room feel taller and will make your windows look taller as well. I made sure to measure from where I’d hang them all the way to the floor so I didn’t end up with curtains that were too short (or dragging way too much!).

Think About the Functionality of Your Curtains

Finally, I think about how you will be using this space. Since I spend a lot of time in my living room, I wanted curtains that would let in light but still offer a bit of privacy since I also face a busy street. That’s why I went with a mix of sheer curtains and slightly heavier panels I can close in the evenings and only use the sheer ones during the day.

Wrapping Up

In the end, I personally chose a combination of simple neutral paneled curtains and layered them with boho curtains. It gives my living room a bit of personality while still keeping things modern and laid-back. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to curtains – it’s all about finding what feels right for you and your space and decorating style. I hope these tips help you as much as they helped me!

Photos By: Unsplash

Though it is the last feature, it is actually one of the most important styling components when decorating the living room space. Curtains not only have the function of adjusting and filtering light; even more so they add color and style, and when done right, they tie up all the decorative elements to beautifully enhance the ambience of the living space.

One of the most important aspects when choosing curtains is to understand the style of your living room and the look that you want. Is the space modern, contemporary, country, traditional or eclectic? What is the feel that you are looking for – comfortable, elegant, and stylish? What is your budget? Answering these questions will help determine the kind of fabric/material that will be most suitable to your living room décor.

Fabrics

When choosing curtain fabrics, there is an immense range of materials to choose from. A few examples:

Cotton curtains are mostly casual and inexpensive. They allow much light to filter through, thus making the room feel bright and joyful. If you want less light to come through then the curtain can be lined. The disadvantage of cotton curtains is that they wrinkle easily especially after washing.

Linen has a textured kind of weave that elegantly diffuses light. Linen is heavier than cotton, tends to wrinkle, so it must be hung immediately after dry cleaning. The advantage of using linen is that it is a natural, breathable fabric. It is timeless and graceful, perfect if you are looking to evoke elegance and sophistication. It is one of interior designer Annette Frommer’s favorite choices. According to her “I love to use linen curtains. Linen is one of the oldest fabrics in the world used by kings and priests throughout history. There is something luxurious about linen, it evokes quality and power”.

Silk blended with linen combines the relaxed nature of linen with the shimmering luster of silk. Yes these are delicate and can easily be damaged if they are in direct contact with the sun; therefore they must be lined. Also water on this fabric can cause permanent water spots, so extra care is essential.

Fabrics have advantages and disadvantages, some are easier to upkeep, and others are high maintenance. These factors must be taken into account when matching curtains to the character of the living space.

It is important to note some rooms need block-out curtains. As their name suggests these fully block out the natural light when they are fully drawn. They are usually made using tightly woven fabrics. Not all rooms necessitate these, nor do all clients request these.

Style

Once the fabric has been chosen – next is the style. Here you have to decide if you want the curtain to be a backdrop of the focal point of your living room. If you want a bold statement than you will go with blues or greys, if you are looking for a light airy feel white, ivory, and cream are the right choice for you. If you want a lot of light to come through then sheer curtains are what you are looking for.

Curtains with a print can completely change the space. They are like decorative throw pillows or rugs. Patterns can be subtle or very detailed therefore greatly affecting the space.

To sum it up, curtains give presence to a room, helping set the mood from casual and easy to bold and dramatic. When expertly crafted and properly matched to the style of the furniture in the living room space, curtains provide that extra panache to your living room, one of the most used spaces in any home. Frommer notes “Properly choosing curtains to match your living room character will add a design edge to your home. It’s a great way to play with patterns and colors, thus manifesting your personal style and the style of your living space”.