While finding furniture for your living room may be your top priority, there are a lot of other important design factors to take into account as well. Window treatments are definitely one that shouldn’t be disregarded. There are countless possibilities when it comes to curtains. However, because they come in every design and price range, you can really create a look that suits your taste and wallet.
We’ve put out our top designer-approved living room curtain ideas to get you started, from semi-sheer white curtains to blackout ones with patterned trim to vivid botanical drapery (that you could even try hanging on a wall without a window!). You’ll have an idea in mind after quickly browsing through these designs. Then you can start looking for the best curtain stores. Oh, and after you have them, be sure to use our guide on hanging curtains for a quick and easy installation. Find Curtain Colour Combinations here.
Plush Pink
Floor-to-ceiling curtains, like the delicate pink ones from Élitis in Carice van Houten and Guy Pearce’s Amsterdam home created by Nicole Dohmen of Atelier ND Interior, will make your living room feel opulent. The vibrant Kooij coffee table and plush sofas add to the space’s overall lively yet luxurious vibe.
Sleek Stripes
Match your drapes’ pattern to some of the living room’s furnishings and furniture for a unified appearance. In this Ashley Whittaker-designed room, thin striped drapes go well with striped chairs and throw pillows that share the same colour scheme and line design.
Botanical Detail
With a lively floral print, you may add life to your windows or walls, like Eliza Crater Harris, the chief creative officer of Sister Parish Design, did in her living room. Many of these patterns, like the Titania cloth shown above, are available in different hues to fit your style.
Semi-Sheer White
White sheer or semi-sheer curtains are the most straightforward approach to give your living space a light, airy feel. As it does in this David Mann-decorated home, the airy treatment can even aid in blending the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Watercolor Effect
Consider getting drapes with a straightforward abstract design rather than a plain colour. Designer Ariene Bethea used these blue and white curtains from Martha & Ash to create what appears to be watercolour paint strokes in her North Carolina house. It is captivating yet not overpowering.
Off-White Backdrop
Designer Andrew Brown used off-white curtains to soften stark white walls and daring furniture in this Alabama home’s living room. Put stylish bookcases in front of them so that the curtains also serve as a backdrop for alluring decor, making them work twice as hard.
Teal and Gold Linen
In a vibrant seaside house, drapes made of linen with teal and gold details are an exceptional choice. Designer Kevin Isbell put them about one-fourth of the way down and inside the window frame to make sure the owners of this Nantucket cottage could enjoy some seclusion while soaking in natural light.
Ombré
Ombré curtains can add the splash of colour your living room needs without being overly garish because they allow for a fairly smooth transition from one hue to the next. The curtains in this Peti Lau-designed house in Los Angeles almost look like a waterfall gushing.
Soft Blue
The elegant light blue drapes in this space by designer Heather Hilliard stand out against the traditional blue grasscloth wallpaper and white trim. The natural surroundings of the California home are reflected in the floral sofa and the green lucite coffee table.
Cream With Fringe
The living area in this Bahamas home by designer Matthew Carter is especially warm thanks to cream curtains with fringe trim. The room’s tropical yet sophisticated feel is enhanced by the soft pink walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Precocious colour and flora prints.
Bright Orange
Bright orange curtains with patterned trim, like those in this room that Chenault James created for House Beautiful’s Whole Home in 2019, make a striking statement.
Heathered Gray
A contemporary living area with sleek furniture and touches of chrome and velvet is well framed by light grey curtains. For a unique touch, add some checkered trim to the curtains’ ends.
Pure Black
Designer Thom Filicia came up with the idea for these black drapes with a cream bottom trim. They are perfect for giving any place a sombre, contemporary appearance.
Color Block
Why not give both a try if you’re having trouble choosing between two curtain colours? The delicate use of neutrals in a tiny living space created by Studio DB demonstrates how a colour block design allows you to display one primary hue and another as a smaller border along the top or bottom.
Cherry Red
Use drapes in your living room to add a delicate finishing touch, as interior designer Phillip Thomas did in this Upper East Side apartment. The walls are painted Benjamin Moore’s Ladybug Red with a high-gloss finish, giving them a slight softness, and the vibrant red drapes match them nicely.
