The Top 81 Living Room Curtain Ideas

There are a ton of living room curtain ideas that don’t have to include the traditional styles you may have seen growing up. If you are a traditionalist, we will discuss options for you, but we will also explore modern techniques for installing window treatments in your living room.

When deciding on a living room curtain design, think about what statement you want your living room to make. Do you entertain a lot? Do you like to come home, be alone, and relax? These are important things to think about when you choose the color scheme and texture of your curtains. You want your living room curtains to reflect the energy that you want to experience.

There are different ways to control the lighting in your living room. Some ideas include roman shades, valances, and blackout curtains. Do you want bold and bright colors? Do you need prints or patterns? Think about this carefully when making decisions on which window treatments will suit your needs best. Take a look at our many options for sprucing up your living room window.

1. Tall Window Living Room Curtain Ideas

When searching for tall living room curtain ideas, it is important to measure the height of your windows beforehand. You should measure from the top, where the valance would be, to the bottom of the window frame. This is important so that you can fully capture the dramatic look your drapes will give the living room.

Another reason why your drapery needs to match the measurements of your window is that they will draw the attention of your guests since there will be nowhere for them to hide.

Source: @ginadrapesbydesign via Instagram

Source: @juliesdesign29 via Instagram

Tall window curtains are perfect for tall living room ceilings. Curtains can be necessary in order to have some level of privacy. If the ceiling goes two stories or higher, it may be too tall for you to install living room curtains on your own, so hiring a professional installer is ideal. Making sure you are safe during a DIY project is essential.

Your tall window curtains are going to be a topic of conversation since they are in plain eye-sight, so measure your living room window accurately. Make sure to plan for whether you will be using a valance so that you can purchase an extra curtain rod, if necessary. A valance can add depth and texture to your living room curtain ideas.

2. Bay Window Living Room Curtain Ideas

If you have a corner of your living room with bay windows, it is a chance to spruce up a possibly forgotten part of your living room. Capitalize on the natural light shining from your bay window by adding a tall curtain to match the color scheme of your living room decor. If you decide to use a blackout curtain, make sure you find insulated curtains so that you can control the hot or cold weather that may seep in from the window and windowpane.

Source: @bpgpdesignstudio via Instagram

Source: @georgia__victoria via Instagram

Source: @our.redrow.style via Instagram

Source: @ourmidford via Instagram

Source: @sophie_sews via Instagram

Source: @z.i.g.e via Instagram

The drapery you choose for your bay window can give your corner the personality your living room may be lacking. Make sure the curtain design ties in with the rest of your living room decor so that it’s not an eyesore. Continuity is essential to making your corner a special part of your living room.

If you need a corner that is practical or you need an area where you can get work done, placing a mini desk table can make your corner a productive space. Those who want a quiet reading corner or a space to relax and play games on your iPad, adding an armchair along with a throw pillow and blanket to make your lively corner your new haven.

3. Prints And Patterns Living Room Curtain Ideas

Patterned curtains can add a special touch to your living room. If you have an affinity for retro living room design, try checkered or striped curtains to make your living room decor a reflection of your vintage style. Striped curtains can further elongate the space by your living room window.

Adding prints in your curtain ideas can give even more texture to your living room decor as well as show off your hobbies and interests. If hanging curtains in your kids’ bedroom, you might go for prints with butterflies or fire trucks, but if you want prints in your living room, you should choose stylish prints that contrast with the rest of your living room design.

Subtle floral prints or bold boho prints can add the texture you need to make your living room pop. You can accent these prints with throw pillows or area rugs with the same print.

If you like more custom window treatments, search for shops that create custom drapes to cater to both your style and living room window dimensions. There are textilers that can create a personalized print or pattern to suit your vision.

4. Neutral Or Muted Color Living Room Curtain Ideas

Having a neutral color scheme in your living room doesn’t have to be boring. Your guests will appreciate your sleek and stylish room decor when you include neutral curtains with taupe, caramel, or rose color shades.

To add more dimension to your living room window, you can purchase a roman shade from a shade store. If you have beige walls, you can use a similar beige tone for the roman shade to make your living room curtains stand out.

Source: @marsh_industries_miami via Instagram

If you have grey walls throughout your living room, using an off white curtain with a muted color scheme for the roman shade is a great way to incorporate a simple design element.

FVTake advantage of the muted color scheme of your living room curtain idea and use them as inspiration for decorating your living room. Make your couch and armchair the same color to turn your space into the elegant living room you’ve been wanting.

Curtains can make a statement, but so can shades and blinds. If you have a more minimalist style, try using an accordion blind or a roman shade to diffuse the light coming in from your living room window. 

5. Bold Colors Living Room Curtain Ideas

Bold colors are an effective way to liven up any living room decor. The bold type of designer may look for living room curtain ideas that include using electric blue, fuchsia, or lime green. Curtain fabric can be bold too. Choose silk, linen, or even velvet curtain fabric to make your living room design seem like one that you might see in a movie.

Living room curtains don’t need to have bright colors in order to be deemed bold. A rich color like red and an unconventional fabric like velvet can make your living room curtains stand out. If you like bold designs, thinking outside of the box about what kinds of textured fabric will make a difference and elevate your living room design.

Matching a bold color like royal purple can be used to accent your living room window and create inspiration for an unconventional living room design. Some people thrive in environments with vibrant colors and designs. Your living room should reflect your personality, but also feel inviting to the guests you love to entertain.

The bold color scheme you choose will create a fun atmosphere for you, your family, and friends to mingle. A wide range of living room curtain ideas are available for the boldest designers.

6. Dark-Coloured Living Room Curtain Ideas

For day-sleepers, dark-colored curtains are probably your go-to type of living room curtain. YOu can use a dark-colored curtain as a blackout curtain to completely block the sunlight in a living room.

Be sure to choose curtains that are easily transformed as an accessory to your living room space since you will most likely have to open your curtains and gaze at the view outside your window.

Possible design tips for the fabric of your dark-colored curtains can include wool, suede, or linen. These options can add texture and contrast to your living room design. A good way to incorporate these textures throughout the rest of your living room is to add a throw pillow or two to your couch, purchase a couch that has the same fabric and color, or add a throw blanket to your couch.

If you want more balance with your lighting options, use a window treatment that will let the light shine through your window while diffusing the brightness of the sunlight. You can use a roman shade or traditional blinds to accomplish this. Another option can be a sheer curtain that’ll increase the contrast of your living room curtain design.

7. Sheer Curtains And Drapes

As mentioned before, using a contrasting window treatment can do wonders for your living room. When hanging curtains in a sheer curtain and drapes combination can contribute to a patterned design of your living room. Try hanging curtains with the sheer fabric towards the center of your curtain rod, then use a bolder or dark-colored curtain to finish the look.

Let this combination inspire you to use the two different textures and colors throughout your living room. An acrylic coffee table or white area rug can complement the sheer curtains. By choosing pillows and couches of the same color as the bold or dark-colored curtains, you can turn this space into an elegant living room overflowing with different textures and optimum coordinated detail.

The sheer curtain and drapes combination can also be arranged in other ways. You can layer your sheer curtains and behind your drapes by utilizing two curtain rods. This will give you styling options so you can choose to have the sheer curtains closed while the drapes remain pulled back.

8. The Valance, Cornice or Pelmet

Depending on your preferences, you might choose a valance or pelmet to create a variety of different looks. When you think of this extra layer of your living room curtain, the image of your grandmother’s valance may pop into your head. Although some still like to use long, dropping valances, you can still keep a modern aesthetic design.

Try installing a sleek pelmet to cover the top of your curtains. This will hide the rod completely while insulating your room. The pelmet will help to conceal the draft from outside. This is a great statement if you are going for a monochrome living room design. Make sure the pelmet is the same color as the drapes and you can include sheer curtains in the middle for contrast.

If accenting the cornice is your objective, then be sure to install the valance right below the lines of the cornice. Leaving as little room as possible will help ensure smooth and continuous lines along the seams of the valance. No light from the window should spill in at this point. By following these tips, your living room curtain design will be the most sophisticated design of them all.