How To Pick Living Room Curtains That Perfectly Match Your Style
Curtains can transform the look of your living room. Long, dark panels can create a moody atmosphere, while soft sheers or linens will make your space look light and breezy. If you’re unsure how to pick living room curtains, we’ll cover the many considerations and types of drapes.
How To Choose Curtains For Living Room
Consider the function of your living room curtains before choosing. Are you looking for light blocking or privacy control curtains? If so, start your search there. If your living room curtains are decorative, you’ll have many more options.
- For privacy, choose living room drapes that cover the window. An alternative option is to layer blinds or shades under your curtains. Doing so allows you to choose a curtain based on aesthetics rather than privacy factors.
- To control light, you’ll need a thick fabric.
- Sheers will still let in plenty of natural light while blocking out harsh direct sun.
- Medium-weight fabrics like linens will let some light filter through, but less than sheers.
- Heavier fabrics paired with a lining will block out natural light. Blackout curtains are an option that features a special lining that keeps out all sunlight.
Other factors in choosing drapes
- Consider all the windows together. For a room to look cohesive, all the drapes have to hang from the same height and be the same length.
- Window height can vary. Just because they all look the same doesn’t mean they are, and even an inch difference is a big issue. After you measure all windows, be sure to measure how far each window is from the ceiling. Use the one closest to the ceiling as the measurement for all the window heights when it comes time to install the curtain hardware.
- To measure the actual size of each window, measure from the top edge of the window molding to the window sill. For the horizontal dimension, measure from the outside of one molding to the other
How To Measure Curtains
When it comes time to measure the curtains, you’ll have a few decisions to make:
- Custom drapes or standard-size curtains? If you are going to purchase custom living room drapes, you will have endless options. These include how high to mount your hardware, the width of the finished drapes, and the overall length. Also, unless you’re making the drapes yourself, you’ll have assistance from a drapery professional. If you’re working with standard sizes, you’ll have to stick to the basic lengths and widths.
How long do the drapes need to be?
Assuming you are looking for floor-length living room drapes, you’ll need to decide how you would like them to hang. Standard curtain panel lengths are 63 inches, 84 inches, 95 inches, 108 inches, and 120 inches. You might have limits on how the curtains hang depending on the height of the window and how high you want to mount the rod.
- Brushing the floor – These curtains will hang just above the floor by about half an inch.
- Breaking the floor – Curtains hung in this fashion will hit the floor and bend at the bottom but not puddle. They are typically 1 to 3 inches longer than the measurement to the floor.
- Pooling on the floor – Drapes that hang this way are anywhere from 6 to 12 inches longer than the measurement to the floor and will generously puddle at the bottom.
How wide do you want the drapes to be?
The first consideration is whether you want the curtains to cover the entire window. If you are using drapes in combination with blinds, or if the curtains are purely decorative, you don’t need to be as precise. If you do want to cover the whole window, you’ll need to make some extra calculations.
- When measuring the width, add 12 inches to each side to make sure it covers the molding and is wide enough to account for the rod, which should extend 4 to 6 inches beyond each side of the window frame
- Standard, off-the-shelf curtain panels are usually 48 inches wide. The panel may be narrower if it has pleats or gathers.
- Some sheers come in double widths.
How to Hang Curtains
Once you’ve made all the measurements, the next step is to install the hardware. Hanging this evenly across all the windows in the living room will help make it look cohesive.
To get started, assemble all the tools and equipment that you will need to install the curtain rod and brackets.
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Level
- Stud finder
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Drywall anchors
Installing the hardware
- Measure where the brackets for the curtain rod will go. First, measure two inches out to the side from each of the top corners of the window molding and make a pencil mark. (Or the corner of the window if there is no molding.) Next, measure four to six inches above these marks for the locations of the brackets.
- Use a stud finder to see if the marks match up with the location of a wall stud. If they do, drill into the wall and screw in the bracket. If not, you will need to drill pilot holes and use wall anchors. Drywall anchors are necessary to make sure that the bracket will support the weight of the drapes and hardware.
- If the window is wide, you may need to mount a third bracket in the center over the window.
- Use a level to make sure the brackets are even.
- Put the curtain panels on the rod. How you do this will depend on the type of – grommet holes, a pocket, or clip-on rings are some common examples.
- Put the rod into the brackets and secure it. Add the finials on the ends if you have them.
Should Curtains Touch The Floor?
Floor-length curtains look best. Shorter curtains give a dated look. If having long curtains isn’t possible, you’re better off with just blinds or a shade.
When living room drapes go all the way to the floor, it makes the room look taller and more elegant. There are three ways to have curtains touch the floor, including curtains that float half an inch above the floor, curtains that break at the floor, and those that puddle with an excess of 6-12 inches of fabric.
Which Curtain Is Best For The Living Room?
The best living room curtains depend on the style of your home décor and your budget. Since this is a room that all your family and friends will see, opt for the best quality drapes that you can afford – whether those are custom or ready-made.
- Choose long drapes for the living room – always.
- Pick a style – pleated, grommet, pole pocket – that fits the level of formality in the room.
- The fabric you choose will be driven by considerations like privacy and control of natural light, but otherwise, choose the kind you like.
- Living room drapes can be plain and neutral or patterned and bold. Just keep in mind what other patterns and colors are already in the space. Also, if there are a lot of windows, the colors or patterns on the curtains will dominate the room.
Are Living Room Curtains Outdated?
Living room drapes have gone by the wayside in some homes, especially for people who are looking for a more modern or minimalist look. That said, they will never totally fall out of favor.
Instead of considering curtains outdated, it’s better to take a look at the styles that are popular and appropriate for today’s homes. Yes, certain types of window treatments have fallen out of favor – think café-length curtains and window valances, along with voluminous ruffles and frou-frou.
After function, the look and feel of curtains in the living room are most important. Even minimalist spaces can benefit from the right style of curtains. From neutral sheers to Japanese style panels, variations types of living room drapes are appropriate additions in this day and age.
How Much Do Living Room Curtains Cost?
The price of living room drapes varies depending on several factors. Brand, style, and custom vs. off-the-shelf all affect the cost.
Custom Living Room Curtains
Custom living room curtains are handmade to fit your specific measurements. Some people call them made-to-measure. With these drapes, you are not limited to any particular size. They also give you the freedom to hang them closer to the ceiling and still have them pool on the floor if you so desire. Even within the category of custom curtains, prices vary
- The size will have an effect on the price. The bigger the panels, the more they will cost.
- Fabric choice is a major factor. It’s possible to get living room drapes in a custom size for as little as a couple of hundred dollars per panel if you are using an inexpensive fabric. Fine fabrics like silks, velvets, and brocades will drive up the price significantly, perhaps as much as $ 1,500 per panel or more.
- You can purchase online custom curtains for less. That said, the measuring is all up to you, and orders cannot be returned, so you will quite literally own your mistakes. If you use a local custom drapery company, they will send someone out to do the measuring and ordering for you.
- The high-end hardware that comes with custom drapes is often heavier and more substantial than what you’ll find in a home store but comes with a bigger price tag.
Ready-made curtain panels
Ready-made curtain panels are available in all types of stores, from mass-market retailers to home goods shops and high-end department stores. They come in a very wide variety of styles and prices, and if you can make the standard sizes work for your space, you can have new living room drapes for far less than a custom order would cost.
- Mass market superstores sell curtain panels for as little as $15-$40 per pair of panels.
- You can purchase more luxurious materials like linen, brocade, or even silk at large home goods stores and department stores for up to $250 per pair of panels. The more typical price range is $30 to $150 per pair
- Insulated or blackout curtain panels may cost a bit more than regular styles and aren’t available in as many colors and patterns.
- Sheers are the most inexpensive kind of ready-made panels. You can get them in large sizes and combine multiple panels.
Types Of Curtains
There are eleven types of curtains. Knowing the name of the style you like will help you in your search for the best living room curtains.
- Austrian curtains – form a scalloped pattern horizontally and a striped pattern vertically.
- Blackout curtains – have a thick panel on the underside that blocks all sunlight.
- Curtain panel – describes a single drape as opposed to a set of two, which is known as a curtain pair.
- Grommet panels – curtains suspended from metal rings fed through a curtain rod. The metal rings look like they’re embedded into the curtains.
- Pinch pleat-draped – curtains with numerous pleats or evenly-spaced folds pinches at the top. They make use of rings or pin hooks to attach to curtain rods.
- Priscilla curtains – ruffled curtains mounted on two separate rods, allowing them to overlap.
- Sheer curtains – semi-transparent curtains offering some privacy but also allowing light through.
- Tab top panels – a curtain suspended from fabric loops as opposed to metal rings or other accessories. These slide over a curtain rod.
- Thermal curtains – a type of curtain that provides a layer of insulation and can also dampen sound. They have a layer of acrylic foam between layers of fabric and are excellent for drafty windows and noisy areas.
- Cafe curtains – also called tiers, these curtains are short and only cover the bottom portion of a window. They’re most common in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Valances – similar to tiers but are installed on the top portion of a window. You can also use them in combination with a second separate type of curtain.
Beautiful living room curtain inspiration
Sophisticated neutrals
The material, texture, length, style, and color all matter when choosing a living room curtain. In this case, interior designer Rachel Blindauer opted for a light shade of gray and a subtle pattern, a combination that suits this elegant living room.
Shades of blue
It’s often nice to match the living room curtains to some other interior design element in the room. The rich, dark blue contrasts with the neutral-colored walls and the sofa in a pleasant way. This is a design completed by studio Melián Randolph.
Simple panels
Choose the color of the curtains and the material based on the amount of light that you want to let into the room and the atmosphere you wish to create. We love how cozy and luminous this living room designed by Louisa Grey of House of Grey is.
Dark drama
A dark color can look elegant without making the room seem dark and gloomy. Opt for dark-colored curtains that you can open up to let more light in. You can close them off on a sunny day and watch TV without outside disturbances. Let this design by Studio Duggan inspire you.
Treatments for tall windows
Living room curtains can play multiple roles. Here, for example, they emphasize the height of the room, framing the tall windows and drawing attention to the ceiling. At the same time, they complement the furniture, featuring a color almost identical to that of the armchair. This is a space designed by Shawn Henderson.
Creative curtain choice
Designed by studio Interior Design Philosophy this space is inspiring, showing the more creative side of living room curtains. The interior decor is artistic, and there’s a multitude of colors here that complement each other.
Subtle Curtains
Even if the window curtains are an important part of a living room’s overall design and decor, they don’t have to stand out. They can take a cue from the rest of the room, such as the furniture, the color of the walls, rugs, lighting fixtures, and so on. We have the perfect example here, a space designed by Undercurrent Architects.
Softly colored shades
The design strategies mentioned here don’t apply only to living room curtains but to pretty much any type of window treatment. Check out this lovely space designed by Bria Hammel Interiors. It has a soft and feminine vibe, and the colors are luminous without being cliches.
A bold print
Another good design strategy is to keep the color palette simple and to play with patterns and textures. For example, this living room has a bunch of decorative pillows with stripes, and the curtains bring in a second pattern, balancing out the decor. {image from jacobsnavely}.
Timeless elegance
Color is not the only thing that can make a space look exciting. This neutral-colored living room is the perfect example. It’s timeless, featuring grey curtains that beautifully frame the bay windows and complement the rest of the neutral color tones. {found on agatacdesign}.
Playing with color
Of course, you can play with color and pattern to create an eclectic design that showcases your own unique style. A combination of color and pattern works well for maximalist rooms. This is a design done by Frampton Co.
Sumptuous luxury
The sumptuous golden curtains give this living room a sophisticated vibe and really bring out the architecture and overall style of the building. This was a project by Toronto Interior Design Group.
Framing the view
If you want the focus to be on the views, neutral-colored window curtains are a good option. White curtains are timeless and have a nice Scandinavian vibe which makes spaces feel extra cozy and fresh.
A textural focus
A minimal focus on color combined with maximum attention to texture can result in a harmonious interior design. The light gray curtains and matching sofa make this room appear tidy. {image on pcraig}.
Traditional style
For a traditional setting, long curtains with a traditional pattern and warm tones work best. {found on yiangou}.
Sheer perfection
In a modern or contemporary setting, simplicity is key. Consider white sheer curtains, which offer privacy without completely blocking the light or the views. They go well with colored walls and casual furniture.{found on zulufish}.
Strong colors
A bold color can draw unnecessary attention to the curtains, but if the choice is deliberate, the whole room changes. These extra-long, dark green curtains coordinate with the sofa and give this living room a theatrical feel. The brass and gold accents are the perfect choices.
Balanced and bold
In this room, the windows form a beautiful alcove, and the curtains extend on three sides. Studio CD managed to create a very refined décor with a hint of mystery. The choice of color is just right, not too bland but not too bold.
Eclectic simplicity
Designed by Ashley Gilbreath, this living room is bathed in natural sunlight. The white curtains enhance the spaciousness of the room and frame the large windows.
Letting the decor shine
White breezy curtains adorn this beautiful sitting area inside a Victorian townhouse. They’re almost indistinguishable. The red sofa is the center of attention, and the rest of the décor is intentionally kept simple in order to provide a clean and clear contrast with the accent colors.
Coordinated curtains
The pink curtains add a cute vibe to this living room designed by Minnie Peters. They also introduce more texture into the space and coordinate with some of the accent pillows on the sofa and the area rug.
Industrial chic
Ewelina Makosa and Jan Garncarek beautifully transformed this old factory into an art studio. The breezy curtains emphasize the height of the space. They also contrast with the unfinished wall textures.
Monochrome beauty
The sheer curtains are a perfect fit for this space, allowing light to filter through while adding a nice level of privacy. This interior was designed by Espejo & Goyanes.
Floor-to-ceiling sheers
The space uses lots of light grey tones, textures, patterns, and warm accent colors. The sheer curtains frame the window and allow natural light to filter in. This was a project completed by Bask Interiors.
Unique design
An old workshop in Paris was transformed by Batiik Studio into a charming apartment. The emphasis was on the super-high ceilings. The skylights, wall art, and curtains draw attention to the height of the room.
At one with the wall
This house in Madrid, designed by Estudio Maria Santos, may not have soaring ceilings, but it makes up for that with a light and soothing color palette. Most of the living area is monochrome with rich splashes of blue and Mediterranean influences. The curtains seamlessly blend in with the walls and soften the overall décor with their texture.
A pop of colorful drama
The red curtains are the focal point of the space and draw attention in a theatrical way without overpowering the décor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
How do I choose curtains for the living room?
Before you begin shopping, you have to know why you want curtains. Is it just for decoration or a certain feeling you want for the room? Do you need living room drapes for privacy or are you trying to control the amount of light that comes into the room? Their ultimate purpose will drive what kind of curtains you end up buying.
How do I measure windows for curtains?
Before you buy any hardware or drapes, there are a number of measurements that you need for all the windows in the room. Keep in mind that the measurements of the actual window are not the size of the drapes that you need, but you do need to measure the actual window, its distance from the ceiling, as well as the distance from the top of the window molding to the floor.
How to measure curtains
The main point when measuring curtains is to know how long you want them to be and how you want them to hang in relation to the floor. Do you want the hem to float just above the floor or do you want them to hit the floor and have a break in the line of the panel? Or, do you really want them to puddle generously on the floor?
You also need to know how wide you want the curtain panels to be. Whether or not you need them to close over the window completely determine the width.
Should my curtains touch the floor?
Yes! Floor-length curtains look best. When the living room drapes go all the way to the floor, it makes the room look taller and more elegant. Shorter styles of curtains are a very dated look. If long curtains aren’t possible on a particular window, you’re better off with just blinds or a shade. As noted, you can choose whether they just skim the floor or actually rest on the floor and by how much.
Which curtains are best for my living room?
We’ve already said that long curtains are the way to go, but beyond that, the particular style should be one that matches your living room décor. If you want a modern, minimalist look, skip the pinch pleats and patterned fabric and go for something more streamlined and neutral. If you’re a traditionalist, choose a fabric that give the old-school pleats a fresh take
Are living room curtains outdated?
No, absolutely not! While some homeowners prefer to stick to blinds or shades for a more modern, minimalist look, most other people prefer some sort of curtains. That said, styles of window treatments have changed so you’ll want to do a good amount of browsing so that you select a look that’s fresh.
How much do living room curtains cost?
Prices vary greatly and it depends on whether the drapes are custom or ready-made. Custom curtains can range from $250 to $1500 or more per panel. The price will depend on the style, size and fabric that you choose. Ready-made curtain panels in standard sizes will run from $15 to about $250 per panel, again depending on size, brand and fabric choice.