How to Choose Curtains for the Living Room

A well-thought-out curtain will set the living room apart and spruce it up with style and grace, while the wrong one will make the room look like a mismatched jigsaw puzzle. The worst-case scenario would have your room looking like a Salvation Army furnishing spree, so take it on good authority that good curtains for the living room are imperative, especially if the rest of the living room is well-decorated. However, choosing the right curtains for living room can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’re not sure about the style you want. Let us make it easier for you with some great tips on how to choose the right curtains for your living room. 

Choosing the right curtains for your living room

Style, size, color, shade, and materials: these are all considerations that you should keep in mind when choosing the right curtains for your living room. Let us walk you through some tips that will help you make the right decision. 

Know what you want

Curtains, drapes, blinds. Most people do not notice the difference between these three, and knowing what you actually want helps set up the room to look great. Curtains are made up of a light and sheer material, which means that they let in air and light. Drapes, on the other hand, are heavier and use less permissive materials, which means that they will easily block out light and elements of the environment. On the other end of the spectrum, we have blinds, which constitute separate strips of light-blocking fibers that come in a variety of colors and shades. So, knowing how much light you want, what materials you want (sheer or heavy), and what you are looking to get out of the curtains will help make the decision a lot easier. 

What material/ fabric the room needs

Within curtains and drapes, many different materials are available, all boasting different properties. According to the setup of the room and personal preferences, you can either go with lace curtains, cotton, or drapes made out of velvet, which look considerably richer and have their own presence. For example, if you have a minimalist interior design and décor for your living room, the best route to take is lace or lightweight cotton curtains since drapes look very out-of-place in a minimalist interior. Similarly, if your living room has a traditional, texture-heavy décor, velvet drapes will complement the look of the living room. 

Choosing the colors 

There are usually two strategies for deciding on the color of your curtains. Whether it matches the rest of the room in a complete covering or stands out in contrast to the rest of the living room, anything other than that would contribute heavily to the look of mix and match. However, matching colors can get rather problematic; the exact same shade and the exact color do not always look good, which is why, if you want to go this route, try to alternate between shades of the same color since this will set off your room differently and much beautifully. In the case of contrast, you need to ensure that the color of the décor and the curtains perfectly equalize each other. The contrast between two clashing colors looks good but does not necessarily translate in a holistic view. 

Designed or solid colours?

Here is another often-asked question regarding the right curtains for the living room. Should it be a simple, solid-colored sheet, or should it have designs and patterns on it? The answer is simple, too. It should complement the décor of the room and should be in sync with the design language of the entire house. For example, in a minimalist-styled household whose living room is also minimalist, any pattern or other straight lines will look out-of-place should solid colors not work. On the other hand, if the sofas and the upholstery have intricate designs on them, the curtain will need an intricate design, not just patterns. If there is no pattern on it, then it has to be velvet drapes to ensure consistency with the overall tone of the living room. 

The ideal length for curtains

In tune with the rest of the curtains in the house, and especially with the layout of the living room window, the right curtain will perfectly complement the room and the accessories around it with its length. For instance, in smaller living rooms with tight-knit spaces, the length of the window is ideal. Therefore, the curtain would need to be just the size of the window itself. On the other hand, with a larger living room, you have a lot of room to play with, so the curtain size can be decided on according to your personal preferences. However, there are specific do’s and don’ts with regard to curtain length and the different types, like velvet drapes. 

Matching accessories/ trims

For the ultimate curtain design and for them to absolutely spruce up the room, you can always include accessories and trims that go along with the décor of the room and further beautify not just the curtains but the entire living room as well. For starters, many people ignore the curtain rod or rack on which the drapes hang, which is often visible. If you choose to let it remain in stock, it might stick out in the foreground of the living room, which has otherwise been well-decorated. By investing in these accessories and trims, you can make sure that the window/ curtain area looks absolutely flawless, and with accessories like extensions and binders, which match the color and style of your curtains, your room will start looking like an absolute 10/10. 

The bottom line

Choosing the right curtains for your living room is easy if you know what you want and what will look better on the windows. The ideal curtains for your living room will complement the décor of the room, look in place with the rest of the furniture in the room, and, most importantly, will allow light in as per your liking. If you have drapes for your living room, you will not get much light in the room, but neither will the outside elements, including heat and cold, bother you during the season. On the other hand, the less intricate cotton lace curtains or other light curtains will let in a lot of natural light and will also not be able to stop the heat or cold from getting inside. In the end, it's all about your personal preferences. 

North End Furniture: the best furnishing solutions

With North End Furniture, you, too, can make your living room look like a dream come true. The best designs meet the best materials and the best build quality for furniture that accentuates your living and sets every room apart with its design language. Modern overtones and classy designs are our specialties, so for the best furniture for your home or apartment, check out North End Furniture and take your living to the next level.