6 Inspiring Living Room Curtain Ideas
Curtains play a critical role in the living room. They offer privacy, insulation and dramatically enhance a space. Since windows are often the focal point of a living room, it’s vital to ensure they stand out with the right set of curtains.
So, if you need some living room curtain ideas, look no further! We’ve rounded up our top six favorite curtain styles for the living room.
Discover the best window treatment ideas for every corner of your home.
How to Choose Curtains for Your Living Room
When selecting the best curtains for your living room, you need to consider how different materials, fabric weights or colors can accentuate a window.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best curtains for your living room:
- Standard curtain fabrics like cotton, linen or polyester will work for most living rooms. These fabrics are generally available in a wide variety of colors, prints and patterns to match any living room style.
- If you use your living room often or have children or pets, stick with fabrics that are washable and can withstand wear.
- Luxurious, more expensive fabrics like silk or velvet are ideal for formal decor, but keep in mind these materials are delicate and require extra care.
Next, determine your living room’s purpose. Do you want to draw more light into the room? Would you prefer a soothing, zen-like sanctuary? Or do you want to create an elegant and formal space to entertain guests?
Asking these questions will help you decide on the most optimal living room curtain ideas.
6 Living Room Curtain Ideas to Try
Whether you’re aiming to design your living room for formal gatherings, casual entertaining or relaxing, you’ll want to make sure your window treatments reflect the style you want to achieve.
For example, elegant toile curtains are out of place in a midcentury modern living room but would be a grand statement in a traditional sitting room.
Check out these living room curtain and drapery ideas to uncover the perfect style for your home!
1. Layer Your Curtains
You can’t go wrong with layering curtains in the living room. This method is functional, practical and appealing to the eye, making it a winner in our books.
Layered curtains add depth to the windows and provide an extra layer of insulation that’s ideal for colder months. You can open the curtains to allow more light into the room or shut them for total privacy.
This method also allows you to mix and match different colors or patterns, an ideal style for indecisive individuals.
To layer curtains properly, you’ll need to select the right combination of fabrics, size and color.
Learn how to layer your curtains like a pro.
2. Hang Heavy Drapes
Drapes are perfect for adding an air of formality to your living room (though with the right color, drapes can also work in casual spaces). They stand out and make a statement in the room.
Drapes are similar to curtains, but use thicker, higher-quality fabrics such as silk, damask or velvet. Draperies can block out drafts, light and sound but are mainly for decoration, so we recommend not opening or closing them often.
Note that drapery fabrics are typically high-maintenance and require proper cleaning and care.
Unsure if drapes are right for your living room? Learn more about the difference between curtains and drapes.
3. Stick to Sheers
Do you have large windows or floor-to-ceiling windows in your living room? Consider hanging sheer curtains as a standalone window treatment for a clean, smooth appearance.
Sheer panels invite natural light and brighten up the ambiance while still offering plenty of privacy. Plus, they’re modern in style and look elegant when hung.
Sheer curtains are easy to care for, relatively inexpensive and available in a variety of soft colors (not just white, contrary to popular belief) to match your living room palette.
You can even layer and overlap sheer panels to enhance your windows and add more depth. Check out these unique sheer curtain setups for some inspiration:
4. Hang Window Scarves
This living room curtain idea can make your living room look and feel like a million dollars – without burning a hole in your wallet.
Simply drape a window scarf (available at your favorite home décor retailers) or a sheer or lightweight fabric over and under a curtain rod to create a look that you love.
Here are some creative window scarf ideas to accent your living room windows:
This style is primarily for decoration, so we recommend using this technique on smaller windows or windows that don’t necessarily need to be covered.
Read more: Your Guide to Curtain Draping Techniques
5. Have Fun With Color
Using colors like white, beige or gray may seem like a safe bet, but don’t be afraid to play with other colors.
Mixing bolder or brighter shades with neutral tones can make your windows stand out, especially if your furniture or other décor is more muted in hue.
Choose colors that are complementary or match specific aspects of your living room, like an accent chair, plant or light fixture.
Vibrant curtains add personality to your living room palette. But be careful not to choose colors that overpower the room and distract away from other details.
6. Combine Curtains With Shades or Blinds
You may already have shades or blinds on your living room windows, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with curtains.
Pairing curtains with blinds or shades adds depth to your windows and offers extra light and privacy control.
It’s important to choose curtains appropriate for your blinds; otherwise, your windows will look messy and overwhelming.
When choosing colors or patterns for the curtains, select ones that match or complement the wall color. It’s best to avoid using multiple patterns on the same window, but it can look artistic if done correctly.
You’ll also need to consider how the blinds or shades operate to ensure it doesn’t inhibit the movement of the curtains.
Hang Your Living Room Curtains in Minutes
You’ve already spent enough time picking the perfect look for your living room curtains. Don’t waste any effort when it comes to hanging your curtains.
With Kwik-Hang Curtain Rod Brackets, you can install your curtains in seconds without using any screws, drills or causing wall damage. Align the brackets alongside your window trim, tap them in with a hammer and hang your curtains!
These revolutionary brackets come in a variety of colors to match your décor and support up to 20 pounds. Whether you’re hanging a whimsical window scarf or a set of luxurious velvet drapes, you can count on Kwik-Hang’s damage-free brackets to get the job done.
