Matching Curtains to Wall Colors
Coordinating curtains with wall colors can make or break the aesthetic harmony in a room. Whether to match or contrast them elicits strong reactions from interior designers and homeowners alike. With limitless options for paints, fabrics, textures and more, the curtain and wall pairing possibilities seem endless. Before delving into the specifics, it helps to understand the overarching goal - creating a unified, welcoming space true to your personal style.
You'll learn techniques for color coordinating through matching, contrasting, or striking a balance of both. We'll also explore style considerations beyond hue, like patterns and curtain types for even more customizable room decor.
Researching Your Wall Color
The first step to choosing complementary curtains is identifying your existing wall color. This paint acts as an anchor and guides the rest of your design decisions. Before rushing off to the store, thoroughly examine walls in different lighting at various times of day. Cool undertones can read differently in sunlight versus lamplight. You want the full perspective before settling on a curtain shade.
Identifying Current Wall Paint Color
If you painted the walls yourself, check leftover cans for the exact paint name and code. For existing colors, bring home paint swatches from the hardware store, fanning them across walls to detect matches. You can also use paint color identifying apps by taking a picture of the wall. Once you've determined the precise shade, note the undertones and depth of color.
Considering Undertones and Shades
Wall colors contain undertones affecting the overall vibe of a room. Warm shades like reds, yellows and earth tones energize. Cool blues, greens and purples soothe. Match curtains blending or contrasting undertones to achieve your ideal atmosphere. Lighter, brighter colors make small spaces appear bigger. Darker shades cocoon a room with cozy intimacy. Sheer curtains brighten shadowed corners.
Testing Paint Swatches for Accuracy
Don't trust apps alone to identify existing paint colors; their camera sensors can misinterpret wall hues. For total certainty, purchase a $5 sample pint mixed to match each top contender. Paint 2' x 2' swatches on walls with primer and two coats. View them against furnishings in both natural and artificial light to determine the truest match.
Selecting Complementary Curtain Colors
With the wall color decided, now focus on choosing curtains that coordinate, match or contrast. Similar hues and tones unite a palette. Vibrant shades against neutral backdrops concentrate visual interest on the windows. Take cues from the wall paint for a harmonious balance. Here are some top techniques:
Opting for Same or Contrasting Shades
Match solid or patterned curtains in the exact wall color for a seamless aesthetic. Staying within the same color family while varying shade or pattern intensity also meshes. For maximum drama, go bold with high contrast curtains in complementary colors. Analogous curtain and wall pairings featuring tones side-by-side on the color wheel (blue + green) pack less contrast but with connected hues.
Trying Cool and Warm Tones
Browse paint names ending in "ash," "lite" or containing words like "ice" for cool undertones in greens, blues and purples. Their curtain counterparts create peaceful spaces. Wall colors with warm peach, yellow or red notes pair best with curtains featuring sunset colors. Making one element cooler and the other warmer adds compelling contrast.
Experimenting with Color Balance Ratios
Think of your walls as the main color "mass," taking up the most surface area. Curtains are decorative accents, drawing the eye. To maintain visual order, walls typically dominate about 60-75% of the scheme. Curtains cover 25-30%. Too equal a curtain/wall color ratio diminishes this mass + accent interplay. Be bold with hues in your window treatments against a neutral backdrop. The bolder the print, the less balance matters.
Additional Curtain Style Factors
Color makes up one facet of achieving total curtain and wall cohesion. Texture, scale and softness also contribute. Sheer fabrics reveal wall colors. Densely woven textiles conceal them. Gather precise measurements for custom-fit perfection replicating architectural angles. Here are more tips for choosing styles synergizing with wall paint.
Pattern and Print Selections
Large-scale graphic prints command attention, framed by solid color walls. Equally vivid wall and curtain prints conflict. For pattern mixing, choose subtle textures like florals against bold geometrics. Ensure at least one element remains simple. Repeat particular colors in wall paint and curtain prints to connect busy designs.
Fabric Weight and Texture
Light, gauzy curtains share colors without obscuring wall details, conveying airiness. Tactile wool or velvet designs cocoon. Match fabric density and texture to the wall's flat or high-contrast finish. For example, softly draping curtains complement eggshell or matte walls. Crisp blackout panels reinforce semi-gloss colors. Coordinate sheerness with color contrast levels.
Length, Fullness and Gathering
Picture your curtains framing the entire wall, not just covering windows. Measure lengths running floor-to-ceiling. For a tailored aesthetic, cut widths exactly meeting frames. Floor-puddling lengths add drama. Box pleats, ripples and smocking provide fullness. Rod types like cut-outs or finials disguise functionality with beautiful forms echoing architectural room details.
Achieving a Cohesive Look
With so many paint and fabric variables in play, determining whether to match or contrast curtains and walls may seem hopelessly convoluted. Simplify decision-making by constantly referencing the room's purpose and your personal style. Follow these straightforward strategies for infusing any space with harmony:
- Repeat color themes throughout multiple rooms for household continuity
- Tie spaces together through coordinated patterns and texture
- Allow moments of deliberate contrast and variation preventing monotony
Common Color Matching Mistakes
When contrasting curtain and wall colors, restraint prevents chaotic, disjointed rooms. Some popular pairings tempt fate, clashing rather than complementing. Be wary of these questionable color combinations:
- Matching wall and curtain colors exactly without texture/pattern variation
- Wildly different or dissonant bright hues battling for attention
- Forgetting to coordinate curtains with carpets, furniture and other background decor
Avoid matching cool and warm tones in close proximity. Context matters too. For example, sunset orange curtains could overwhelm soft blue bedroom walls but add vibrancy against a white living room backdrop. Consider all elements before finalizing adventurous color schemes.
Expert Tips and Tricks
If struggling to unite curtains and walls, consult interior designer expertise. Many offer virtual consultations. Some tips straight from the pros:
Seeking Professional Interior Designer Advice
Hire an interior designer to extract your style, assess architectural elements and determine a color scheme bridging curtains and walls. Their impartial eye catches clashing or missing nuances you may overlook when immersed in a space.
Trying Adjustable Sheer Under-Curtains
Install separate sheer and blackout curtain tracks. Layering allows flexibility, modifying daylight or privacy levels. Bonus - the sheer filters and softens intense wall colors. Keep sheers neutral to blend with prints or solids.
Looking at Photos for Inspiration
Study designer portfolios or home magazine layouts to spark ideas before purchasing. Notice how professionals artfully mix textures and tones in their curtain and wall pairings. Jot down ideas recreating elements suiting your space rather than wholly copying displays.
Harmonizing curtains with wall paint sets a room's emotional tone and excites or calms those entering. Follow this guide's expert techniques for infusing home spaces with color coordination for a custom, curated aesthetic. Lightly contrast wall and curtain colors to create soft visual tension. Lean heavily into color and pattern matching for serene, unified rooms.
Most importantly, reflect personal preferences and lifestyle needs through customized curtain and wall paint selections. With some thoughtful planning and experimentation with swatches and samples, you'll achieve a welcoming, stylish roomscape truly your own.