How to Choose the Best Curtains for Your Living Room
Plus, Drapes, Shades and Blinds
Having trouble choosing the right curtains? With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to pick the right window coverings that add style and personality to your home. But don’t worry – our guide is here to help!
We put together everything you need to know about choosing curtains, blinds, and drapes for your living room. From color palettes, textures and fabric types, you can use this article as a one-stop resource before buying any new window coverings. Our guide covers all of these essential topics – all in an easy-to-follow format!
Explore how to choose the best curtains, drapes and blinds, and shades for your space today!
Measure Your Windows Correctly
Living Room Style and Function
- Things to Consider
In most homes, the living room is that multifunctional area where comfort is valued. It's where you lounge with the family, snuggle up and watch TV with your partner, hang out with friends, or enjoy your alone time.
From functional ceiling-to-floor sheers and tailored draperies to purely decorative linen panels, a wide range of window coverings can help set the mood for the kind of space you want to create.
Finding the window curtains that suit your style, enhance your interior design, and offer functionality doesn't have to be challenging if you know how to choose the best options for your space.
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On the list of things to consider is the climate where you live. For example, in South Florida, features like light control and energy efficiency are high on our list of priorities. Climate tops the list because of our primarily year-round sunny weather and summer months that can see temperatures in the triple digits.
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Other concerns include privacy, preserving beautiful views, and catering to our large living room windows and patio sliding doors. The good thing is you can find the ideal curtains or drapes to meet your needs, whether using them alone or layering them with blinds, shades, or shutters.
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Another factor to consider is how you want your living room to function. Will it be a busy thoroughfare with kids and pets? Adults entertaining their friends or a multifunctional space? This will affect the type of window coverings you choose, as will the ceiling height and shape of your windows. But before you decide on trendy curtain panels and blackout drapes, make sure you choose what's right for your living room.
How to Choose Curtains for Your Living Room
Once you know how your living room will function, you can begin thinking about what might work best in your space.
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When deciding which type of living room curtain is best for your home, you'll want to find the right curtain length. This will be determined by where you want to place your curtain rods and where you want your curtains to end in relation to the floor. Even a few inches can make a difference in the look and feel of your room.
You might like: Learn to measure your windows correctly.
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If you live close to your neighbors, privacy is essential. Having just a sheer curtain is not ideal. We suggest using a more opaque fabric or a curtain with a liner. You may also layer your window treatments—pairing blinds or shades with curtains for a more polished look and extra privacy.
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Living rooms are ideal spaces to have plenty of natural light. Sunlight brightens the room, adds warmth, and makes the space comfortable and cozy. Natural light also helps to refresh the air, so a room isn't musty. Having light-filtering window treatments means you can enjoy more light while still having a bit of privacy.
Sheer fabrics work well for letting a maximum amount of natural light into a room. Silk curtains and fabrics such as voile and linen are excellent choices for light filtering.
Room darkening curtains allow a small amount of light in, and blackout curtains, as the name suggests, block the light completely. If you want your living room to have lots of light, a blackout curtain won't work for you. However, if you want to have a movie theater experience while watching your favorite shows, blackouts (think heavy velvet curtains) are a safe bet.
You can even combine sheers or semi-sheer curtains and blackout curtains, then switch between the two to get the function you want!
Use Complimentary Color Palettes
In addition to choosing a fabric that works, ask yourself, “What color should my living room curtains be?” Solid colors and neutrals (like white curtains) are great, but don't be afraid to play with patterns, textures, and bold fabric.
Of course, you want your window coverings to complement your décor. Or, they can even be a main focal point in the room, but be careful to avoid clashing with the other items.
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When it comes to curtains and furniture, one common question is, ”Should curtains be darker or lighter than your couch?” The simple answer is size and scale. For example, if your window frame is large, there will be lots of fabric from the ceiling to the floor. In that case, colors darker than your couch may be overwhelming. If your windows are smaller, darker colors than your sofa would be complementary and not take over the space.
If furniture pieces stand out, like an armchair or a coffee table, make sure the curtains don't clash with them, either. For example, select solid-colored curtains instead of patterned ones if you have a patterned chair.
Think about furniture texture too. Do you have soft furnishings or hard? For soft furnishings, heavier fabrics such as velvet may be suitable. A lighter material may work better if your room is modern and has exposed brickwork or metal accents.
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When selecting window treatments it's important to consider the color of your walls. Matching curtains or blinds with wall colors can help create a unified look that complements your decor. For colorful walls, choose a complementary palette or highlight certain tones for an eye-catching display. Meanwhile, if you have plain walls, opt for window treatments that bring in pops of color and texture.
The color or pattern you choose can make your space feel fun, cozy, or luxurious. Dramatic floor-to-ceiling curtains can offer a designer look, and fun trims can add a touch of whimsy.
See what types of curtains are in style in 2023 to give you some ideas for your room.
The Best Drapes for Your Living Room
If you opt for drapes instead of curtains, many considerations still apply—for example, the length. It's a consensus that drapes for living rooms should always be long. However, you should be aware that although curtains and drapes are similar and often used interchangeably, they are two different categories of window coverings.
Curtains are usually less formal, come in fabric panels or pairs, and are generally of lighter-weight material and hang from a curtain rod.
Usually made with heavier fabrics, drapes bring a more formal, high-end aesthetic to a room. Based on their specialized nature, you should consider getting custom drapes. It's a great way to update your room, and with the variety of fabrics and styles available, customizing your window is a breeze.
While other elements matter, the fabric you choose can have a much more significant impact on your décor and the functionality of your drapes. You'll need a durable material, particularly in homes with large families, children, and pets.
One-hundred percent linen curtains are great options, as are blended linen fabrics. They are highly durable and resistant to fading and wrinkling. The fabric you choose can also add dramatic flair. For example, if you're into glam and want curtain fabric to reflect that in your space, smooth or textured silk is a good choice.
If you'd like to block out the sunlight completely to save on energy bills and add privacy to your room, draperies and hanging curtains are excellent choices. Insulated draperies can help absorb the sunlight during the summer and even help with noise reduction if you live in the city.
Design details like the type of pleat—tailored, pinch, French—or grommet top will also impact your desired look. Custom drapery is an investment in your décor, so having professional help is advised. Remember, your drapery should be durable, timeless, and functional.
Beyond Curtains: Blinds and Shades
Blinds and shades are a popular window treatment choice for living rooms across Florida, and there are many reasons why they work so well in this area. They are great for light control, blocking UV rays, privacy, and many other benefits. However, the type of living room blinds or shades you choose for your living room will depend on your needs and budget.
Blinds
For the living room, real wood or faux wood blinds offer a timeless aesthetic and durability without the hefty price tag of plantation shutters. They are easy to clean and maintain and look great by themselves or layered with curtains or drapes.
Shades
Shades are also a top choice since they offer light control and privacy and deliver effortless elegance. Depending on your chosen material, like, woven wood, shades can let in as much light or as little light as you want. Roller blinds or shades are a simple and practical choice. They offer a streamlined finish and are great for unfussy spaces.
Roman shades could be a great pick if you like a bit more pizzazz. While they offer the same practicality as roller shades, their signature fabric folds provide a softer look. Other options include energy-efficient cellular shades, and zebra shades, with a unique design that allows light to filter through.
Make Your Living Room Look Its Best!
The living room is the soul of your home, and whatever window treatment you choose should make your space comfortable and inviting—whether you pick Roman blinds and layer them with curtains or vertical blinds for your sliding glass doors.
Remember to check the boxes on your list of priorities so you end up with beautiful, durable, functional window treatments that reflect your unique style.
Let’s Make It Happen!
So whether you’re making a few updates or a total makeover, Drapes and Shades Custom Window Designs will help you choose the right window treatments for your space, style, and budget.
Call us today at (954) 289-3311 for a free consultation.
