The living room is the heart of the home—a natural gathering space where family and friends come together to chat, relax, and create lasting memories. A thoughtfully designed living room not only serves as a cozy retreat but can also be the show-stopping centerpiece of your home. One key element that ties it all together? Curtains.
Curtains in the living room are more than just window coverings; they’re the finishing touch that adds warmth, style, and personality to your space. Choosing the right curtains for your living room can elevate the room’s ambiance, whether by introducing texture, color, pattern, or a timeless neutral. With endless options to complement any aesthetic, the perfect window treatment can truly complete your design vision. To help you transform your living room, we’ve rounded up our top recommendations for curtains that will enhance your space and bring your decor to the next level.
Include Pops Of Color
Coordinating your curtains with key color accents in your living room enhances and elevates your bold design choices. Here, the curtains seamlessly blend with the existing color scheme, creating a cohesive look while subtly drawing the eye to other vibrant pops of color throughout the space.
Match The Upholstery
Have fun with patterns you love and bring them all over your living room. Matching your curtains to the upholstery not only makes both pop more, but it gives the maximalist, cluttercore look that has been trending in recent years.
Go For Light and Airy
Brie Williams
A light, neutral-toned curtain can help any space feel open and airy. You can open up the space even more by ensuring your curtain rod is elevated above your windows. This will make your ceilings look higher.
Considering Color Drenching
Monochromatic color schemes are trending, but we’ve always loved them. Color drenching can create a calming sensation. Using the same color in your curtain choice will only elevate the color-drenching aesthetic.
Opt For Texture
If you prefer to keep it neutral, consider adding texture. Even a simple white sheer curtain with a light checkered texture makes the space feel more cohesive and completes the look all while sticking to the neutral palette.
Match The Walls
Brian Woodcock; Styling: Page Mullins
Matching your curtains to your wall color creates a seamless, sophisticated look. This approach allows other design elements, like furniture and decor, to stand out while maintaining a harmonious and polished aesthetic.
Place Around Doors
Who says curtains can’t go over doors too? French doors are a beautiful element in any design because they upgrade the indoor to outdoor feel, but they can reduce that sense of privacy. Hanging curtains around the doors will continually let the light in while helping to keep your area as your own.
Use Subtle Colors
HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ STYLING BY: HOLLY SMITH
Using subtle-colored curtains adds a touch of elegance and softness to your space without overwhelming the overall design. They create a light, airy feel while effortlessly complementing other decor elements for a balanced and timeless look.
Bring Neutrals Into A Colorful Space
James Ransom
In a space with bold colors or patterns, neutral or subtle curtains provide a grounding effect, preventing the room from feeling overwhelming or chaotic.
Bring Back Beige
Beige is back. Not boring builder beige, but warm, neutral beige. Large beige curtains can add a delicate formality and coziness to your living room while still conforming to your style.
Stick With White
White curtains offer a clean, fresh backdrop that enhances the vibrancy of bright pops of color in your home without competing for attention.
Bring The Outside In
Green curtains evoke the tranquility of nature, bringing a refreshing, organic feel to your space.
Go With A Colorful Border
A pop of color can take a space from ‘eh’ to elegant within a matter of minutes. These curtains feature a splash of magenta around the border which adds a fun flare to the space. This simple touch connects your fun and practical sides.
Choose An Accent Color
Continuing an accent color in your curtains helps tie the room’s color palette together, creating a cohesive and harmonious look.
Go For Symmetry
Put formal back into formal living rooms by aiming for symmetry with your design. This satisfying tactic works in any size space and exudes a sense of cleanliness and old charm. Two curtains hung on each window in this design creates crisp lines, making the room look grand.
Choose A Simple Pattern
If you’re stuck between patterned or plain curtains, you can opt for a simple pattern. It adds just the right balance between fun and clean.
Use Floor-To-Ceiling Curtains
Large windows call for large curtains. Floor-to-ceiling curtains have a timeless design that adds a sense of elegance to any room.
Swap Out For Sheer Curtains
Sheer curtains still promote privacy but allow for more beautiful light to flood the room.
Stick To The Theme
Choose a curtain that has similar colors to the walls, decor, or furniture to promote a cohesive feel.
Reverse It
Reversible curtains can subtly add color to your neutral palette and create an unexpected bit of fun. This unique feature will leave guests in awe of your creativity.
Match Metals
Don’t forget about your curtain rod. Consider matching metals throughout the room for cohesiveness in your design. In this design, the gold metal curtain rods match the gold chains on the chandelier and complement the green accents beautifully.
Choose A Matching Cornice
A matching cornice for your window curtains can serve as a striking focal point in the room, adding a pop of color or pattern that draws the eye. It adds a tailored finish and a touch of layering to your design.
Layer Over Blinds
Create a warm and cozy space by layering curtains over blinds or Roman shades. This still enables the privacy you want with an extra bit of texture.
Keep It Colorful
LAUREY W. GLENN
A solid color curtain may seem simple by itself, but when added to the right space, can make all the difference.
Include Greenery In Creative Ways
Want the look of greenery without the hassle of taking care of actual plants? Consider bringing that look into the home with the pattern on your curtains. This design still promotes an earthy feel while being manageable and practical.
Keep It Light And Airy
A delicately patterned, neutral curtain can add movement and interest to your design while still keeping a light and airy look.
Mix Patterns
Mixing patterns in your living room curtains adds dynamic visual interest and personality to your space.
