Light, neutral colors like whites, creams, beiges, and soft grays make rooms look bigger by reflecting light, creating an airy feel, while sheer or lightweight fabrics enhance this effect by maximizing natural light, with strategic hanging (high and wide) also making windows and ceilings appear taller and wider.
Light curtains will make a space feel bigger. They 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.
White, classic and refreshing, plain white curtains are perfect for helping to brighten the room. Our Campanile Ivory Curtains are ideal for adapting with existing furnishings, they are white but without a blue undertone, making them perfect for pairing with any style of décor you have in the room.
Curtains can be lighter or darker than walls; lighter curtains make a room feel bigger and brighter, while darker ones add coziness and drama, with the best choice depending on your desired mood, room size, and wall color, though a good rule of thumb for a subtle, harmonious look is to pick curtains just a shade or two lighter or darker than your walls. For dark walls, lighter curtains soften the space, while for light walls, darker curtains create striking contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions. Q: What colors make a small room look bigger? A: The lighter your colors are, the bigger the room will feel. Stick to shades of white and cream, pastels and light neutrals in gray and taupe.
The first color is your main color, the second color is still prominent, but not as much as the main color. The third color is your accent color that you use sparingly or sprinkled here and there. If you're into numbers you could break this down into 60%, 30%, and 10%.
When you think of colors that make a living room look more expensive, your mind probably goes straight to neutrals — soft whites, classic grays, and calming beiges. These hues are timeless and versatile, but there's so much more to creating a high-end look.
Latest curtain trends for 2025-2026 focus on natural textures (linen, organic cotton), earthy & bold colors (terracotta, deep greens, warm neutrals), sustainable fabrics, and adding personality through painterly patterns, gradients, decorative trimmings, and layered textures, while moving away from grommets and stark minimalism towards warmer, nature-inspired, or maximalist styles.
Plain curtains offer a clean, minimalist look and can easily blend with various styles, making them a versatile choice. Patterned curtains can add visual interest and personality to a room, especially when the pattern complements the room's colour scheme and design elements.
White and off-white: These colors are versatile and work well with almost any décor. They also help to brighten up a room by reflecting natural light. Gray: A modern and sophisticated choice, gray curtains can add a touch of elegance without overpowering the room's design.
That said, Stewart does embrace a curtain cousin. According to a House Beautiful article about Stewart's Antiques & Garden Show presentation, the media mogul admitted that she often deploys window valances when they suit the home's architectural and interior design styles.
It may not come as a surprise that almost every designer agrees that the best curtain color for making a room look bigger is neutral shades, such as white, cream, or beige. This helps a space feel open and airy.
Matching tones
If it's your first-time coordinating fabrics, play it safe with a matching colour palette. If you have neutral bedding, for instance, you can't go wrong with a pair of tan curtains. Beige, cream and white tones suit muted bedding just as well. Look to your bedroom wall colours for inspiration.
Curtain trends for 2025 emphasize natural textures, earthy and rich jewel tones (greens, browns, deep blues), and sustainable fabrics like linen blends, moving towards personalized statements with optional retro patterns or subtle metallics, all while maintaining functionality with layering, smart features, and floor-to-ceiling drapes for elegance.
Lighter colors can make a small room feel bigger and brighter, while darker hues can create a cozy nook in a larger space. By coordinating your curtain and wall colors, you can manipulate the sense of space to your advantage.
Hanging Curtains? Avoid making these mistakes
Curtain rules of thumb focus on width (double the window frame, extend rod 6-12 inches past), height (kiss the floor or pool slightly for luxury, mount rod high to elongate), and fullness (2-3x rod width for lushness). Always measure your window width plus extra on each side, and measure drop from where the rod will sit down to the floor, ensuring panels cover the entire frame when closed for proper light blockage and a polished, grand look.
Curtains can be lighter or darker than walls; lighter curtains make a room feel bigger and brighter, while darker ones add coziness and drama, with the best choice depending on your desired mood, room size, and wall color, though a good rule of thumb for a subtle, harmonious look is to pick curtains just a shade or two lighter or darker than your walls. For dark walls, lighter curtains soften the space, while for light walls, darker curtains create striking contrast.
Best applications for bare windows include: Homes with a stunning view in a remote area. Minimal privacy concerns as neighbors do not have a clear visual into your home interior. Homes with minimal natural light where curtains aren't needed to filter light or privacy.
Venetian or vertical blinds will last approximately 12 – 18 years. Sheer or linen curtains will last approximately 3-5 years. Lined curtains or those with more durable fabrics will last approximately 10-15 years.
Sometimes, it's about how much light you let through with your curtains. Bright colour sofas like red or yellow do well with curtains that let a lot of light in. On the other hand, grey or more neutral colour sofas do well when your curtains balance out light with just enough of a blackout.
Here are some of the most enduring window treatment styles that never go out of fashion.
White and beige are synonymous with cleanliness, calm, and wealth. It's the outfit you wear when you don't need to prove anything. The minimal contrast between the two tones offers a luxurious feel, often associated with Mediterranean summers or high-end resort wear.
If yellow, red, orange, dark brown or neon is too good to give up, use it on a wall that won't be in sight when trying to unwind (e.g., a wall behind the bed), or select a lighter or muted hue that may not evoke unwelcomed emotions.
The 3-5-7 rule in decorating is a guideline to group objects in odd numbers (three, five, or seven) to create more natural, balanced, and visually interesting displays, rather than even numbers which can look staged or boring. This principle works by leveraging our eyes' preference for asymmetry, applying it to vignettes on shelves, coffee tables, mantels, or even pillows, often by varying height, shape, and texture within the group.