How To Select The Best Curtains for Your Living Room

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The right curtains and drapery hardware can easily elevate your living room decor. Keep reading to learn how to select the perfect window treatments and drapery hardware.

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Your Guide to Selecting Living Room Curtains

When it comes to interior design, details matter. The selection of curtains and drapery hardware can transform your living room from ordinary to sophisticated, infusing it with elegance and charm. This post will show you how to select living room curtains that will perfect your home aesthetic and help you source them.

Elegant mustard yellow living room with green roman shades and brown velvet sofa — Source

Define your design aesthetic

First, take a moment to define the style and ambiance you wish to curate in your space. Are you drawn to the classic elegance of traditional interiors, or do you prefer the clean lines of modern design? Clarifying your design preferences will help you select window treatments that seamlessly integrate with your living room decor.

New traditional living room with Lee Jofa Althea curtains and acrylic curtain rod — Source

Draperies for traditional style

In traditional living rooms, curtains often feature elaborate drapery styles that enhance the room’s grandeur and elegance. Floor-length panels that puddle gently on the floor, create a sense of luxury and drama. Cornices add a touch of regal flair above windows. Layering curtains with sheer panels allows for light filtration during the day while maintaining privacy and enhancing the room’s soft, diffused glow. You can also pair floor length drapes with roman shades for another layered look.

Elegant dining room with pink mural wallpaper and green curtains — Source

Window treatments for contemporary style

Modern style window treatments blend natural elements with contemporary design principles, creating a balance between the organic and the sleek. Minimalist linen curtains in earthy tones like oatmeal, sage green, and soft gray complement modern interiors. Using natural materials for roman shades, like woven bamboo, is a great way to add warmth and texture to modern style.

Sophisticated modern grey living room with white curtains and black drapery hardware — Source

Types of window treatments

Curtains and Drapes

Panel Curtains: Floor-length panels made from various fabrics, ranging from sheer to heavy materials like velvet or silk.
Draperies: Similar to curtains but often heavier and more formal, featuring pleats, valances, or swags for added elegance.

Colorful eclectic green dining room with elegant ochre curtains — Source

Blinds

Venetian Blinds: Horizontal slats that can be adjusted to control light and privacy.
Vertical Blinds: Vertical slats typically made of vinyl, ideal for large windows or sliding glass doors.

Flimsy plastic blinds usually detract from the aesthetics of a room so be sure to find high quality blinds if you think this is the best window treatment for your space.

Pale blue living room with venetian blinds — Source

Shades

Roman Shades: Fabric shades that fold up evenly when raised and lay flat when lowered, offering a clean, tailored look.
Roller Shades: Made of fabric or vinyl that rolls up onto a tube, providing a streamlined appearance and ease of use.

Shutters

Plantation Shutters: Interior shutters with wide louvers that can be adjusted to control light and airflow, adding a classic, architectural element to windows.

Sheers and Valances

Sheer Curtains: Lightweight curtains made from translucent fabrics that allow diffused light while offering privacy.
Valances: Decorative fabric treatments that cover the top portion of windows, often used with blinds or shades for added style.

Sheer living room curtains with black drapery hardware — Source

Top Treatments

Cornices: Fabric-covered wooden or metal boxes that conceal curtain rods and add a decorative element at the top of windows.
Swags and Jabots: Fabric draped in cascading folds across the top of windows, often used in formal or traditional settings.

White Parisienne living room with high ceilings and white cornice window treatments — Source

Layered Window Treatments

Combination Treatments: Layering curtains or drapes with blinds, shades, or sheers to achieve both aesthetic appeal and functional versatility.
Mixing Materials: Combining different types of window treatments, such as pairing blinds with curtains or using shutters with valances, to achieve a custom look and enhance light control and privacy.

Pink living room with pale blue velvet curtains layered with bamboo roman shades — Source

Selecting colors and fabrics for curtains

Color plays a crucial role in traditional living room design, reflecting a palette of rich, deep hues and warm neutrals. Choose curtain fabrics in shades that complement or contrast with your room’s color scheme. Embellishments like embroidered borders or intricate pleating can further elevate the curtains, adding depth and visual interest.

Blue relaxed roman shades in vibrant living room with gold mural wallpaper and pink velvet sofa — Source

Choosing hardware and accessories for your windows

Drapery hardware in traditional living rooms should be selected with attention to detail and quality craftsmanship. Opt for rod and finial designs that echo the room’s architectural style—ornate brass or antique bronze finishes lend a sense of timeless elegance, while wooden rods with carved detailing enhance the room’s warm, inviting atmosphere. Tiebacks adorned with tassels or decorative holdbacks can elegantly frame the curtains, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

For a “new traditional” or transitional aesthetic, add something unexpected like these acrylic curtain rods.

If you are designing a modern living room, sleek, simple drapery hardware in black is often your best option.

New traditional living room with blue curtains and acrylic drapery hardware — Source

In conclusion, curtains are not merely functional accessories but essential elements in creating an elegant and inviting atmosphere in your living room. By carefully selecting fabrics, styles, and accessories that resonate with the room’s design aesthetic, you can create a refined and timeless space.