Light curtain benefits Increase how big a space feels with lighter curtains. Light coloured curtains are more likely to be made of lightweight curtain fabrics, which fall and flow beautifully. Lighter colours are easily dyed a different colour should you want an easy way to change it up in future.
Since bright colors are more reflective, the room looks airier and more open because it contains more natural light. Dark colors do just the opposite because they absorb light and make a space look smaller.
Making Your Room Look Larger or Smaller with Curtains
High-hanging curtains with long vertical stripes create the illusion of height, which is excellent for low ceilings. However, short curtains and horizontal stripes shorten your wall height and make the room appear smaller.
A general rule of thumb is for curtains & walls to be one shade lighter or darker than each other, or be a complimentary colour to each other. Although light or dark curtains can influence the mood of a room, provided they match the colour, hues & shade of the walls, it will be a good choice.
Go with lighter curtains
Heavy curtains make the room feel dark when you want to lighten the room to make it feel brighter. Focus on the lighter curtain colors as well. A warm yellow or soft blue can help turn any room airier. You want your curtains to help spread light in your room while adding privacy.
Dark curtain benefits
Dark coloured curtains work very well in spacious interiors or high-ceilinged rooms to visually shrink the space and give it a cozier vibe. Use them to anchor the space without overwhelming the setting; repeat the colour of the curtains somewhere else in the room so they don't look out of place.
Which color curtains go with everything? Neutral curtains in tones such as beige, taupe and gray, as well as white and nearby shades such as ivory and cream can be the go-with-everything choice.
Keep It Private. Constructed from an opaque material, blackout curtains won't just block out the natural light, heat and external noise pollution coming from outside your home, they will also offer you the perfect solution for improved privacy.
If you're looking for ways to make a small room look bigger, you've come to the right place. Below, we've put together our top tips to create the illusion of extra space in your home. Light colours are more reflective than dark ones and therefore they're ideal for small spaces.
'Cool colors, green, blue, and purple, are calming so they work best for bedrooms. Lighter colors tend to be more soothing, and darker colors are more stimulating. If you're looking for a calming place to rest and relax, consider soothing pastels such as pale blues, light pinks, or light greens.
' 'Opt for natural fibers. Finding a good synthetics or blend fabric off the shelf can be difficult, whereas a nice cotton or linen fabric is far more accessible and looks more authentic says' Cathrine Dal. A good quality curtain material will not only stand the test of time, but will also look more luxurious too.
In contemporary bedroom design, a laidback feel is what's really on trend, so be prepared to let your curtains do what they want. If you are really keen to tie them back, cords and ties will feel more relaxed than wall-fixed holdbacks. Think also about the length of your curtains.
If your sofa is dark, match the curtains with another dark colour to keep the room feeling cosy, or choose a lighter shade to brighten it up. Similarly, if your sofa is light, choose a light colour for your curtains to keep that airy feeling, or a darker colour – perhaps in the same shade – to add some contrast.
By hanging curtains from the highest point of the wall that fall all the way down to the floor, you create a soft and subtle guide for the eye to follow, encouraging you to take in all of the space you have therefore giving the illusion of a larger room.
Light, Smokey Grey:
Choosing an ultra-light grey (that is almost off-white) is a great way to make your rooms appear slightly bigger than they really are. Because light grey matches with everything from bold red to chocolate brown, it's an excellent option for renters who have unique furniture and décor.
White or light coloured curtains and blinds are better at reflecting heat and light away from your home. If you have thick, dark curtains, closing them will only trap heat in the room.
Choosing the length of your curtains can also depend on the style of the room, window size, and style and your house. Longer curtains with a break of over 1” offer a more dressy, formal look while shorter imply a casual and relaxed vibe.
Black, white, grey, brown, and beige are all neutral colours. Neutral curtain colours as per Vastu are considered the best. You can combine them with colors of your choice to add a pop of color here and there to make it brighter, if needed.
Dark tones add a visual contrast to your room which can be dramatic and striking. This also draws the attention of the viewers towards your drapery and away from any imperfection or clutter in the room. Dirt and dust do not show up as easily on darker fabric which means they don't require as frequent vacuuming.
Black curtains look better in spacious rooms while white curtains are suitable for both big and smaller spaces. White curtains also make the room cooler than black curtains, but the thickness of the fabric still needs to be considered.
Dark curtains work well with warm white, cream, gray, light tan and even smoky blue walls. Another design trick is to use dark curtains in large rooms or rooms with very high ceilings to visually shrink the space and give it a cozier vibe. Just repeat the color of the drapes somewhere else in the room for cohesion.
Do curtains have to match your furniture? Curtains don't have to match your furniture. Still, if they are the same style, texture, or color or are in colors that complement your couch, they can add to your desired look and achieve a unified look. That also speaks for the walls.
You don't need to stress over matching your curtains exactly to your walls, sofa, or carpet. In fact, using a different color can actually add visual interest to the room, breaking up the walls so that the curtains don't “disappear.”
White is the most popular curtain color.