Curtains are a great way to introduce color and texture to a room while also giving it more visual height. But what if you’re worried that adding curtains will turn your casual living room into a dark and stuffy Victorian parlor? You also don’t want to fall for the quick fix of putting up cheap, flimsy curtains in a hasty attempt to maintain a casual appearance; this can draw attention to your curtains for all the wrong reasons.
So how can you choose curtains for your living room window that look nice and keep a casual vibe at the same time? As a starting point, let’s think of “casual” as simply something that can be a little loose and relaxed. For more specific tips on how to choose casual curtains, read on! (Have a look at my article What Makes a Casual Room? for more ideas for creating casual living spaces.)
Material, Color, and Pattern
Before we get into curtain styles, let’s talk briefly about material, color, and pattern as they relate to curtains.
- Materials with more texture, such as heavier cottons and linens, give off a more casual vibe. If you have hefty hardware attached to wall studs, corduroy or denim are also good choices for a casual style. Steer away from silks and satins—these luxurious materials will make your room appear more formal.
- The curtain styles below assume your living room is simple and eclectic, not leaning to one specific style or a bold color palette. With this in mind, I suggest you use curtains or shades in light neutral colors, which will go with almost anything and don’t draw attention to themselves. Curtains in bold colors are more likely to read as formal.
- You don’t have to be afraid of using patterns in a casual room, as long as you take note of their effect. For example, checks and plaids give off a friendly, laidback vibe and work well with solid colored walls. Stripes, medallions, and florals tend to come across as more formal.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are four ideas for casual living room curtains that will look grown up but not overly stuffy:
1. Sheers
Plain white sheers soften the light from the window and give it a glow. I’ve seen them used with curtain rods or hung from tracks in the ceiling. When your walls are white, sheer curtains add subtle texture and softness to your room. For a casual look, either let the panels hang straight down or use simple tie-backs. If your room is a darker color but has white trim, I would recommend white sheers. With more beige-based decor (like my living room) you might opt for a light beige, gold, or cream sheer instead. However, be aware these colors might appear as a dingy white. If possible, take a sample of the fabric and look at it in your room to see how the color appears in your lighting. Also, avoid dark-colored sheers. During the day, sunlight outlines the window on a dark sheer, which undermines the stylish look you’re going for. Finally, avoid frills and ruffles in your sheers; cleaner lines are more casual than fussy ones.
2. Cotton Panels
If you want something heavier than a sheer at your windows for more light control, consider cotton fabric. Whereas silk and wool are typically more formal, cotton has an easy everyday appearance. Use cottons in plain colors and low contrast with your walls and window trim to keep your look casual. (Low contrast means colors that are close to one another, like white and light grey, beige and tan, whites with pastel colors, or black or dark brown with a dark grey wall.)
The tops of your curtains are an important detail to keep in mind. Pleated tops of any kind are more formal. Tab tops or grommet tops are more casual. If you don’t want a lot of detail at the top of the curtains, a simple sewn-in pocket can completely conceal the curtain rod.
3. Shades
While you can always mix shades with curtains, a general rule of thumb is that fewer layers are more casual (similar to clothing). For inside-mount shades (inside the window frame), match the shade to the trim color. When the shade is outside-mount (outside and a little above the window frame), the shade can either match or contrast with the trim color. Roman and solar horizontal shades are examples of casual shade styles. Either style can range from sheer to opaque. To create a more modern look, try solar shades; for a more traditional look, go with roman shades.
Natural grasses and woods are another casual option for shades. They bring an easy texture to your living room. Since they most likely contrast with the trim, I recommend an outside-mount installation. They can also be lined on the back side for better light control.
4. Shutters and Blinds
Metal or vinyl mini-blinds have never been the most decor-friendly options, although they offer great light control. Those come and go in popularity, usually as part of contemporary designs. Mini-blinds are a bit on the outs lately, but, wooden shutters and blinds are still attractive and chic options. Their thicker slats and heavier cords bring more substance to windows and feel more intentional and permanent than mini-blinds.
Bonus Idea: Plants
Hanging and floor plants are an “outside the box” option for casual window treatments, if you only need to filter the sunlight. Floor plants and plants on stands can be used at the bottom of a window, and hanging plants (most especially ivies) can be hung from the wall or ceiling.
What Decor Issue Is On Your Mind?
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