Choosing the right curtain color for your living room can seem like a daunting task. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. The living room is often the heart of the home, so you’ll want to select a color that complements your existing decor while creating the desired ambiance. When selecting living room curtains, you’ll need to consider the size of the room, the amount of natural light, and the overall style you want to achieve. By evaluating these factors, you can narrow down your options and select curtains in a shade that makes the space feel complete.
Consider the Size of the Room
One of the first things to think about is the size and layout of your living room. Larger living rooms can handle bolder curtain colors and patterns, while smaller spaces are better complemented by lighter, neutral tones. Here are some general guidelines:
– Small living rooms: Stick to light, airy colors like white, beige, light grey, and pale yellow. Avoid saturated, deep colors.
– Medium living rooms: Feel free to experiment with medium-toned colors like taupe, light blue, sage green, and soft peach.
– Large living rooms: Go bold with richer shades like emerald, navy, plum, and mustard yellow. Make a statement with colorful or patterned curtains.
Keep in mind that the height of your ceilings also impacts how a color will appear. Rooms with high ceilings can get away with darker hues, while low-ceilinged rooms will feel oppressive with heavy colors. When in doubt, choose a lighter color to keep things airy and spacious.
Factor in Natural Light
The amount of natural light your living room gets should also guide your curtain decision. North-facing rooms with limited sunlight can handle rich, saturated shades that would feel overwhelming in a bright, south-facing space. Here’s how light exposure impacts color choice:
– South-facing rooms: Choose light, bright colors like white, tan, light grey, butter yellow, or soft sage green.
– East-facing rooms: Opt for light to medium tones like peach, light blue, or mossy green.
– West-facing rooms: Medium-toned colors like terracotta, seafoam, lavender, or sky blue work well.
– North-facing rooms: Embrace darker shades like navy, emerald, wine red, chocolate brown, or forest green.
Rooms with multiple exposures can go both light or dark. Just avoid very overpowering shades in high-light areas near windows.
Select a Style
Your living room’s decor style should also inform the curtains you choose. Whether your space leans traditional, modern, coastal, or eclectic, opt for colors that enhance (rather than fight against) the existing palette and furniture.
– Traditional: Classic tones like cream, champagne, soft rose, mossy green, navy, and tan.
– Modern: Clean colors like white, charcoal, dove grey, taupe, and espresso brown.
– Coastal: Airy hues like sky blue, seafoam, sand, and pale yellow.
– Eclectic: Any color goes! Have fun with bold jewel tones, bright neons, or energetic patterns.
If your living room falls somewhere in between styles, consider a unifying neutral backdrop of white, ivory, tan, or light grey curtains. Then introduce color through accent pillows, throws, and artwork.
Curtain Color Ideas by Wall Color
Not sure where to begin? Use the wall color of your living room as a jumping-off point. Here are suggested curtain colors for common wall paint shades:
| Wall Color | Curtain Color Pairings |
|---|---|
| White or beige | Navy, light grey, blush pink, seafoam green, pale yellow |
| Light grey | Coral, mint green, lavender, pale yellow, white |
| Tan or taupe | Royal blue, sage green, blush, light grey, ivory |
| Black | Emerald green, royal purple, red, gold, white |
| Navy blue | Cream, light pink, light green, orange, white |
| Forest green | Gold, turquoise, cream, lavender, tan |
Adjust the intensity of the curtain color based on how dark or light your wall color is. For pale walls, go bold. For darker walls, keep the curtains light.
Popular Living Room Curtain Colors
If you need some tried-and-true inspiration, here are 10 of the most popular living room curtain colors:
1. White or ivory
A clean white or ivory immediately lightens up a room and provides a fresh, neutral backdrop. White works with any style and every color palette. Linen-textured curtains prevent blandness.
2. Light grey
From pewter to moonstone, the many shades of light grey work in both modern and traditional spaces. Grey nicely complements accent colors without competing.
3. Navy blue
A true classic, navy instantly transforms a room into something crisp and sophisticated. Pair navy with cream, peach, white, or gold accents.
4. Olive green
Earthy olive green curtains emit a peaceful, relaxing vibe. Mossy olive complements terracotta, cream, and wood furniture.
5. Blush pink
For traditional rooms, blush pink curtains offer soft, feminine charm. Pair them with metallics and botanical prints.
6. Mustard yellow
Cheerful mustard yellow injects a contemporary space with energy. Offset with white trim for a modern pop of color.
7. Charcoal grey
Deeper charcoal grey makes a sophisticated, dramatic statement. Use in minimalist, modern spaces with metallic or teal accents.
8. Brick red
Vibrant brick reds say welcome home. Coordinate with tan, hunter green, or rich wood furniture and finishes.
9. Light blue
Sweet sky blue or aqua curtains give beachy, casual spaces a breezy vibe. Pair with whites, tans, and driftwood.
10. Lavender purple
Romantic lavender or lilac imparts a dreamy, ethereal look. Combine with greens and creams for a soothing oasis.
Factors When Choosing Fabrics
The fabric itself also affects the look and functionality of living room curtains. Consider these factors when selecting materials:
– Opaqueness: Sheers softly filter light while blackouts completely block it out. Balance privacy and ambiance.
– Light reflection: Matte fabrics absorb light while shiny materials like satin reflect it around the room.
– Texture: Look for rich woven textures like linen and chenille to add depth. Smooth silks create an elegant effect.
– Drape: Flowy, draping fabrics stack up romantically on the floor. Stiffer materials maintain a tailored shape.
– Durability: Choose sturdy, easy-care fabrics if you have kids or pets. Avoid delicates prone to stains.
– Thermal insulation: Thick, multilayer fabrics help insulate windows against cold and heat.
Consider combining different curtain fabrics for visual interest. Hang room-darkening liners behind sheer overlays to customize privacy and light filtration.
Best Living Room Curtain Length
Hanging curtains correctly makes a big impact. Here are some guidelines for optimal length:
– Floor length: Most formal option, with curtains puddling slightly on floor. Provides a polished, elegant look.
– Puddle length: Curtains stop just above the floor, creating 6-12 inches of fabric puddle. Relaxed and romantic.
– Sill length: Curtains just brush the floor, with hems hitting right at the window sills. Casual and practical.
– Below sill: Curtains hang 1-3 inches below the windowsill to cover trim. Great for privacy.
Avoid major gaps above or below windows. Measure carefully and use the width of the curtain rod as a guide. For floor-length curtains, add an extra 3-4 inches to account for slight stacking of fabric on the floor.
Curtain Styles, Features & Hardware
Beyond color and fabric, tailor your living room curtains with these design elements:
– Styles: Choose from tab tops, grommets, pockets, clipped panels, and more.
– Patterns: Solid, stripes, florals, geometrics, ikat, paisley. Be cohesive with room’s style.
– Borders: Contrasting borders frame curtains and add visual pop.
– Layers: Hang practical blackout liners under sheer overlays for customized control.
– Valances: Horizontal valances conceal hardware and boost privacy.
– Tiebacks: Hold curtains open with tassels, cords, medallions, or textured ties.
– Rods: Visible rods come in finishes like bronze, nickel, wood. Concealed rods hide behind curtains.
– Finials: Ornate finials provide architectural detail on rod ends.
Mixing curtain panel styles and layering shapes adds textural interest and dimension. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
Conclusion
Choosing living room curtains is an exciting way to refresh your space or pull together a newly decorated room. Evaluate the room itself, factor in your aesthetic tastes, and don’t be afraid to take some risks with color and texture. Layering sheers and liners allows you to customize both aesthetics and function. For most living rooms, neutral solids or simple patterns work well, saving bold prints for accent pillows and throws. With so many beautiful colors and fabrics to work with, you’re sure to find the perfect curtains to complement your home.
