Choosing Curtain Colors With Ease
Selecting the perfect curtain colors can transform any room from drab to fab. But with so many hues, textures, and patterns to pick from, making the right choice may seem daunting. Fret not! This comprehensive guide breaks down the key steps for effortlessly choosing curtain colors to match your decor.
Determine Room Function and Style
When opting for curtain colors, first consider the room's purpose. Is it a bedroom that needs a soothing, relaxing vibe? Or perhaps a living area meant for entertaining guests? Identify the mood you want to create before zeroing in on shades.
Take Stock of Existing Furnishings
Glance around the room and make note of furniture, rugs, wall colors, and decor elements already present. Do you want the curtains to complement these existing pieces? Or would you prefer them to make a bold statement?
Understanding the room's current aesthetics guides intelligent curtain color choices that either blend in or stand out.
Decide on Overall Style
Now determine the style you want to achieve. For a playroom, bright, cheery colors energize. In a master suite, soft, muted tones soothe and relax. Once you decide on the room's style and atmosphere, identifying suitable curtain shades becomes easier.
Curtain Ideas for Specific Rooms
Here are suggested curtain color ideas for different room types:
- Living rooms: Greens, blues inject peaceful vibes
- Bedrooms: Lavender, blush pinks are soothing
- Kitchens: Red, yellow infuse energy
- Kid's rooms: Rainbow brights spark creativity
Select Appropriate Undertones
Now consider curtain color undertones. Do you want warm reddish, cool bluish, or neutral hues? Complementary undertones blend beautifully with existing furnishings.
Warm, Cool, and Neutral Tones
Warm red and yellow undertones energize. Cool blue and green shades relax. Neutral cream and beige work with most decors. Select undertones aligning with the room's purpose.
Complement Wall and Decor Colors
If walls sport cool blue paint, choose curtains with similar cool undertones. Warm wood furniture? Consider curtain colors with reddish hints. Matching undertones creates a harmonious, balanced look.
Brighten Dark Rooms
For dim, shadowy spaces, inject bright, light curtain colors to uplift and illuminate. Sheer white or cream panels illuminated by daylight infuse cheer.
Factor in Lighting Conditions
Available lighting impacts the effect created by your chosen curtain colors. Assess both natural and artificial lighting when making curtain color choices.
North, South, East, West Facing
North-facing rooms receive indirect light ideal for darker dramatic shades. East-facing rooms get ample morning sun suiting mid-tone colors. West-facing rooms get intense afternoon light - go for light, bright colors.
Impact of Natural and Artificial Light
Rooms filled with sunshine can handle deeper, bolder curtain colors. Dim interiors are lifted with lighter sheer panels reflecting back maximum brightness.
Darker Tones for Bright Rooms
Vibrant, sun-filled spaces can energize with richer jewel-toned merlot, emerald, or sapphire curtains. These deeper shades add striking drama.
Avoid Dark Colors in Dim Rooms
Conversely, dark curtain colors in already dim rooms exaggerate gloominess. Opt for light cream, beige, or white sheers instead to reflect back scarce light.
Combining Curtain Colors and Patterns
Beyond solid colors, prints and textures add visual interest while controlling light infiltration. Consider combining colors, patterns, and fabrics for window dressings with flair.
Solid, Textured, Printed
Select solid curtains in one harmonious color for a soothing unified aesthetic. Go bold with contrasting graphic black-and-white printed panels. Add tactile appeal choosing richly textured chenille or velvet in a pop color.
Complementary and Contrasting Color Schemes
Try complementary blue and orange curtain panels for an energetic look. Contrast large-scale floral trellis-print drapes with solid neutrals on furniture for a punch of pattern.
Mix Multiple Curtain Colors
In the same window, mix various curtain colors to layer complementary shades. Tie back panels to reveal intricate color pairings. For a more tailored look, choose colors within the same family such as forest green with olive green and lime.
Highlight Architectural Elements
Position colorful patterned drapes in neutral rooms to attractively frame doors, fireplaces, and windows while concealing unattractive features.
Coordinate With Other Soft Furnishings
A cohesive, pulled-together look blends curtain and upholstery textiles throughout the space for tranquility. Contrasting shades can energize - aim for overall balance choosing accent colors unified with neutrals.
Carpets, Rugs
Pair deep woodland forest-hued curtains with plush moss-colored carpet, and olive throw pillows on a brown leather sofa. The layered greens reinforce the color scheme's natural plant-inspired motif
Pillows
Coral printed paisley curtains combined with amber pillows, burnt red cushions, and a zig-zag geometric area rug creates a dynamic, eclectic living room.
Tablecloths, Throws
Burgundy blackout velvet drapes with tasseled trim are enhanced by coordinating blown glass vases and burgundy candles on an ornate antique oak table with a crushed burgundy velvet tablecloth and streamlined ebony chairs.
Test Curtain Color Samples
Order fabric swatches of potential colors to view choices in the actual room before fully committing. Seeing undertones and textures in the space reveals the best selection.
View in Room
Tack up those textile swatches on windows and check fabric colors at different times of day as light varies. A morning favorite may appear dull in evening lamplight.
Consider Light Conditions
Where will sunlight streaming through sheer panels land? Contrasting undertones and light intensities strikingly interact - preview first. Heavy blackout lined drapes can intensify a dark small room, so test lighter colors that reflect illumination.
Select Best Option
Finally, scrutinize fabric swatches considering all elements - existing decor, lighting, room size, function, colors, patterns, textures and more. The curtain shade acing all criteria is your winner for an effortlessly pulled together space!
Choosing the perfect curtain colors and patterns may seem mystifying. But methodically moving through key considerations simplifies the process. Identify room purpose and style, consider natural and artificial lighting conditions, select complementary or contrasting shades, coordinate with other furnishings, then test swatches first before fully committing. Follow these failsafe steps for selecting window treatments allowing you to relax and enjoy the gorgeous room you've manifested!