Neutral colors like white, off-white, beige, cream, and soft grays (like greige or taupe) go with almost everything, offering versatility and brightness, while muted greens (sage/olive) also act as neutrals and add a trendy, natural touch, making them top choices for curtains that complement any decor. Black and charcoal offer sophisticated contrast, and patterns featuring these colors also provide endless adaptability.
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.
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.
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.
Tips to Choose Curtain Colors
Consider Wall Colour: Start by considering the colour of your walls. You can either opt for curtains that blend with the wall colour for a seamless look or choose complementary or contrasting shades for a dynamic effect.
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.
Start with your walls. Curtains or drapes that match your wall color creates a neutral, seamless look. For example, off-white curtains paired with cream walls exude sophistication. On the other hand, curtains in complementary shades add contrast and visual interest.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
Your drapes should look functional, like they would actually cover the window when closed. A good rule of thumb is that each panel should be at least 1 to 1 1/2 times the width of the window. This will make your drapery look more generous and full whether opened or closed.
Flattering paint suggestions
White. White can feel like an intimidating color to wear, but it's the basic hue you need to add some contrast to your wardrobe, or just act as a blank canvas. "The color white is a crisp, clean color that pairs well with virtually anything in your wardrobe," shares stylist Kenzie Welch.
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.
Mentioned below are some of the best living room colours to spruce up your home and let harmonizing energies flow through the household:
The "2/3 sofa rule" is an interior design guideline suggesting your sofa should occupy about two-thirds (2/3) the width of the wall or space it's against to ensure visual balance, preventing it from looking too big or too small. This rule also extends to other furniture, like a coffee table being about two-thirds the width of the sofa, creating harmony, flow, and comfortable proportions in a living room.
Hanging Curtains? Avoid making these mistakes
Match or Contrast: Decide whether you want your curtains and rugs to match or contrast. Matching creates a cohesive look, while contrasting can add visual interest. Use Accent Colors: Incorporate accent colors from your curtains into the rug design or vice versa to create a balanced look.
Absolutely! Curtains can dramatically change the mood of a room. Lighter fabrics help create a relaxed, airy feel, while heavier materials can offer a more refined or cozy atmosphere.
Current curtain trends favor natural textures like linen, earthy/neutral tones (sage, beige, mocha), and layering sheers with blockouts, emphasizing sustainability and texture over busy patterns, though subtle geometrics and botanicals are also in; full-length drapes remain popular for a luxurious feel, while cafe curtains offer a charming, functional alternative.
If you're looking for timeless curtain styles that will never go out of fashion, here are five classic options to consider:
White/Sheer White Curtains
White curtains can go well with almost any wall color and with yellow walls the same holds true. Sheer white curtains in particular can allow sunlight to filter through the window creating a bright, clean environment.
This is particularly effective in well-lit rooms, where dark drapes can provide superior light control without overpowering the space. For rooms with dark walls and light furniture, choosing drapes a shade lighter than the wall color can maintain balance and prevent the room from feeling too heavy.
ANeutral combinations like white color curtains with beige or off white colour curtains with wooden tones always work well with almost every living room, as they suit all kinds of interiors and keep the overall space looking balanced and amazing as well.