10 Things to Know in Choosing the Curtains for the Living Room

Any designer and decorator would agree on how curtains add flavor to the windows when chosen accordingly. Window treatments come in a variety of materials but the simplest yet most impactful treatment would draw to how curtains make a room. It may be quite overwhelming to decide what curtain to get or what material to choose considering the pros and cons that come alongside. Curtains are as substantial as any decoration in the living room. Picking the right one may seem to be the most difficult part but we have narrowed down the things that you need to know in choosing the curtains for the living room. There are endless possibilities in choosing the right curtain for the windows. You better start looking now. 

1. Measure the Length and Width of the Windows

The first step in choosing the type and design of the curtain to use for the living room is by measuring the dimensions of the windows. It can be a bummer to purchase curtains online without knowing the size you are getting. The dimensions are important to know that the curtain will not come too big or too small. It would be best to add a few inches just to add depth to the coverage of the curtains. Allow them to flow to the floor level inducing a dramatic vibe for the living room. Ensure that the curtain size to get is longer and wider by a few inches or even close to the floor. A pair of curtains smaller than the window size would just cancel out the idea of having them limit the acquisition of sunlight. 

2. Choose the Color Palette to Use 

The color of the curtains will make or break the interior design of the living room. You can work with a palette complementing or the same as the living room. It is required to sync its color with the entire look by uniting with the decor, furniture, and composition of the space. The most significant step is complementing the curtains with the color of the walls. Ensure that the color would not be too heavy or too light. Just pick a color that will introduce a neutral vibe for the living room. Instead of picking just one set of colors, work with a variety of colors to work hand-in-hand. Light colors for curtains work best for those who want natural lighting to diffuse to the entire living room giving away a fresh natural vibe. If you want to manage the natural lighting in the living room, working with dark colors would introduce a bold and dramatic vibe. 

3. Be Wary of the Texture of the Fabric 

The texture of the fabric is as important as the color. It plays a vital role in how the curtains will accentuate the walls. Whether it be sheer, brocades, or even velvet, the options are kept open because of the variants that you can choose from. Consider the amount of sunlight acquired by the living room in choosing the type of fabric for the curtains. It sets the mood and complements the decor of the living room. Heavier fabric types are often used for grand living rooms opting for a traditional and vintage vibe. Meanwhile, light fabric textures such as sheer are often used for modern and minimalistic design styles. Each type of fabric flows to the floor differently executing a high-class look for the living room. Always remember that the type of fabric upholds a variety of responsibilities on how to maintain. 

4. Be Bold with Patterns

If the living room is dominated by plain and solid-colored walls, playing with patterns would do the trick of introducing fine details to the space. It may be a challenge to complement the solid colors of the living room but working with prints is a smart and effective choice to add character. Always consider the sense of balance and neutrality in whatever space you are designing. Accessorize the walls and windows with patterned textiles of the curtains. The most common idea in designing the living room is investing in patterns on the textiles rather than the furniture and all the other elements. Rugs, curtains, table cloth, and even pillowcases are the common introductory of patterned textiles. They are not drawn to being the focal point. Instead, an accentuating factor to highlight the design style of the space. 

5. Consider the Installation of the Curtains

Compared to the other types of window treatments, curtains are the simplest to install. What complicates it is the type of curtain to use. There is a variety of ways to style the curtains and not just simply by hanging them the traditional way. The way it is installed depends on the vibe you are trying to build for the living room. The example above is not the usual way on how to style the curtains of the living room yet when combined with the traditional lining. It would be best to experiment with the look of the windows to have a great view of the outside. Accent curtains are usually overlaid on top of the typical layering of the curtains. You can have them rolled on the rod or even play with shapes and decorations to spice up the look a little. 

6. Differentiate the Use of Drapes and Curtains

A lot of people are quite not aware of how drapes are different from curtains and what are their corresponding uses. Their common denominator is concealing the space from direct sunlight. It is a way of managing the amount of sunlight entering the living room. Curtains often come in thin and cotton materials to manage the indoor sunlight. Their sizes often fall half a meter of the level of the floor. On the other hand, drapes come in pairs and are massive in size. They are lined because of the heavy material of the fabric to totally block the sunlight diffusing throughout the living room. It is ideal for those types of people who are not fond of the morning sun but fancy the sight of the outdoors in the afternoon or evening. 

7. Pick a Style for the Curtains

Picking a style for the curtains does not directly pertain to the theme. Instead, it is all about how they are hung, folded, and flow to the living room floor. The fabric of your preference will be the basis of the style you want to work with. There is a variety of styles to choose from but the most popular ones include box pleat, rod pocket, pinch pleat, eyelet, tailored pleat, goblet, and ripple fold. If you have plenty of windows in the living room, this means you have more room for curtains. The curtain style to pick will surely dominate the room, regardless of whether they come plain or patterned. Weigh in the aesthetic and functionality of your chosen fabric. Some work with combined fabrics depending on the amount of light and privacy they prefer. 

8. Layer Variating Fabrics 

One should not settle with one type of fabric for the curtains. Since it draws attention to the entire room, it would be best to know a few tricks to spice them up. Instead of working with only one type of fabric, why not accentuate them with another? Working with two types of fabric can be a combination of plain and patterned or two variating colors. It is up to how you want to view the windows in the morning and what style would suit the existing decoration of the living room. Set the mood of the living room by experimenting with the layers of fabric to surround it with. Add a sense of character to windows by complementing the use of different fabrics. Besides, you can always change them up whenever you want to. 

9. Work with Trims and Accessories

Apart from the curtains, one of the few things you need to consider is the trims and accessories they are associated with. It would be best for the curtains to have something to keep them together when you want a little sun to diffuse to the entire living room. The ties of the curtains come in different designs and materials. It is the small details of a view that makes it more unique. You can either tone them down or dress up the window treatments highlighting either the grandeur or simplicity of the window. Work with traditional ornaments that can increase the embellishments in the living room. Imagine how these pieces can make the fabrics more sleek and fancy. A piece of advice to spare is not to overdesign the window with unnecessary pieces.

10. Bear in Mind the Maintenance of the Curtains

Just like any other element in the living room, the curtains require maintenance in terms of cleaning. The curtains tend to acquire and absorb dust and dirt. When not properly maintained, it can cause allergies and respiratory complications. Since they come in thinner or thicker fabrics, they should be washed the same way the couch cover, pillowcase, and rug are. It would be best to work with machine-friendly materials for the curtains considering that they are massive and it would be difficult for them to be hand-washed. An example of a low-maintenance fabric for the curtain is cotton. They tend to be easier to wash and the quality of the cloth does not subside even for a long time. On average, curtains require washing in two to five months depending on the material.