How To Choose Curtains For A Living Room, According To Designers

Choosing curtains for your living room requires taking a variety of factors into consideration. The most important one might come down to understanding what a curtain is in the first place. “A curtain, as opposed to a drapery, is typically a lighter and more casual window treatment,” explains Margaret Donaldson, Charleston-based interior designer and founder of MDI Luxury Design. In addition, it’s also usually unlined which means more light is able to filter through. This can be the perfect scenario for a living room where completely blocking out light isn’t typically as necessary as it would be in a bedroom.

When it comes to selecting the right curtains for your living room, you’ll want to think about the amount of light in the space, the style and texture you’re after, and even how the curtains should fit in with the room’s existing aesthetic and color palette. It might sound like a tall order, which is why we enlisted the help of Donaldson and Louise Hane of Rock Hill, South Carolina-based Louise Hane Interior Design. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right curtains for your living room.

Factors To Consider When Choosing Curtains For The Living Room

Amount Of Light

“Light exposure is an important consideration when selecting living room curtains,” says Hane. You’ll want to consider how much light you’re comfortable with when the curtains are closed or whether your curtains are more about aesthetics. As a rule, Hane recommends a blackout lining in rooms that receive a lot of light, but says a basic cotton lining is sufficient in most living rooms where the light exposure is more moderate.

Style And Design

The styles to consider for your living room curtains are many. From single panels, to panel pairs, lined or unlined—and we haven’t even begun to mention header types. Choosing the right style and design for your curtain means taking into consideration not only the type of curtain you’re planning to install, but how you want it to hang on the rod, if you want the rod to be a focal point on its own, and even such minute details as pleating. Before committing to your curtains, explore all facets of how you want your curtains to look and function in order to ensure you strike the right balance for your living room.  

Length And Size

The curtains in your living room don’t necessarily need to go floor to ceiling, completely close, or even extend beyond the windowsill. The right length and size is going to be most dependent on what you’re trying to achieve as far as privacy and light control, Donaldson says. Keep in mind that extending your curtains above the window will typically serve to create the illusion of larger windows and taller ceilings. Other design tricks like pooling the bottoms of the curtains on the floor to serve as a more relaxed look or even doubling up on the amount of fabric you use in order to create a fuller appearance when the panels are pulled open can help cater the look to your individual style.  

Color And Pattern

First things first. Donaldson says you’ll want to make sure the curtain color is complementary or harmonizes with the room’s palette. “Light-colored curtains can make a room feel brighter and more open, while darker colors can add coziness but may make a space feel smaller,” she says. When it comes to pattern, scale and size matter. “The size of the pattern should match the scale of the room and its furnishings,” Donaldson says. “Large patterns work well in spacious areas, while smaller patterns can add detail without overwhelming the space.”

Fabric And Texture

Color and pattern aren’t the only visual aspects that can stand between a cohesive look and one that seems like a cacophonous scene. Keep in mind how your fabric choices need to fit in to your room’s aesthetic. While it’s possible to swap out your curtains seasonally, you might be better served selecting curtains that have year-round appeal. Texture can and should also come into play as a way to not only complement existing furnishings but also add dimension and warmth in the space if needed.

Tips For Choosing Curtains For The Living Room

Layering Sheer Curtains For A Bright Ambiance

When you’re looking to let in plenty of light while also lending some privacy and ambiance, layering sheer curtains might be the best way to go. This works particularly well for coastal aesthetics or spaces where breeziness is what you’re after.

Matching Curtains With The Room’s Color Scheme

To create a classic look, consider matching your curtains to your room’s color scheme. That can take shape in a straightforward way like working with a monochrome look or be as intricate as matching your curtain pattern to a patterned wallpaper.

Considering The Room’s Style And Theme

When determining the right color scheme, fabric type, and more, it’s always best to keep in mind the room’s style and theme. This can help inform nearly all decisions that need to be made in regard to your window coverings.

Testing Curtain Samples In The Room

More is more when it comes to curtain samples. “I would get as large a sample as you can, even consider buying a yard of the fabric, and tape it up at the window,” suggests Donaldson. “Scrunch it up as it would be if made into a panel and try it at different windows.” Use this strategy to determine how it will look with different light exposures throughout the room and during the nighttime hours, too. Hane says that living with the sample for a few days can help get a feel for how the pattern, color, texture, and style of curtain will work in your space.