By: Crate & Barrel Editor
From casual and easy to bold and dramatic, window curtain panels add presence to any room and help set the mood. Our carefully edited selection of drapery and curtain rods come in a wide range of styles, such as velvet, silk and cotton linen curtains. Follow our buying guide to explore the best fabric types and learn how to choose a window curtain for the living room, bedroom and more. Additionally, choose the best curtains that pair seamlessly with your favorite window curtain hardware.
how to choose the best curtain fabrics
Knowing how to choose a curtain fabric depends largely on your needs, personal style and the ambience you’re trying to achieve. Think about how much light you want to let in—a curtain fabric that is thicker will block out the light easier versus a drapery fabric that is more sheer. Read on to learn more about the most commonly-used curtains and find the right one for you.
Silk Curtains
A classic window treatment. This fabric introduces a sense of formality to your space. Silk curtains for living rooms look especially luxe if they’re pleated or puddled on the floor. Lining your drapes is important if you want more privacy, as silk or silk sheer curtains are a bit transparent.
Cotton Curtains
Versatile and easy to clean window treatments. Cotton curtains make a seamless transition from casual to formal. Available in many different colors and styles, cotton or cotton linen curtains tend to be a bit stiffer than other fabric drapery, yet their opaque construction allows for more privacy. Additionally, cotton velvet curtains add a rich texture that adds a modern twist to any room.
Linen Curtains
Most often used in casual environments, the sheer and lightweight construction of linen curtains or cotton linen, add a breezy touch to the room and tends to let more light in than other fabrics. EUROPEAN FLAX®-Certified Linen also serves as the best blackout curtains given its thick fabric which helps block unwanted illumination from the outdoors.
Velvet Curtains
An opulent choice when buying drapes. The heavyweight of velvet curtains create a luxurious touch to your bedroom or living room window. Though not necessary, adding liners enhances the velvet’s formality, especially when the drapes are pulled open.
Sheer Curtains
Love letting natural light into the living room? Sheer curtain panels help keep the family room looking bright. Like silk, this material is quite transparent which means you’ll need liners if you want more concealment. Alternatively, choose semi-sheer curtains to create a good balance between privacy and light in the room.
how to choose curtains for every room
When choosing drapes and curtains for living rooms or bedrooms, function is key. Think about how you will be using curtains, how much privacy you want and how much light you want to enter the room. Read on to learn how to buy curtains and find the best curtain, from the living room to the dining room.
Living Room Curtains
For the family room you’ll want to take function and privacy into consideration when choosing the best living room curtains. Think about how much light you want to enter the windows. We recommend layering sheer curtains for the living room to provide a bright ambiance when entertaining or relaxing with the family. Or, opt for ones with a heavier fabric, such as blackout curtains to control the amount of light that enters the room.
Bedroom Curtains
Bedroom curtains are a smart pick when taking an afternoon nap or lounging in privacy. Chances are you’ll want your bedroom to be completely dark so opt for heavier fabric curtains for the bedroom or a blackout curtain. Heavier materials tend to have a more luxe vibe so consider velvet or silk curtains.
Dining Room Curtains
Add personality to your dining room with a fun printed curtain or introduce a neutral cotton linen curtain into the mix. Choose dining room curtains that reflect your entertaining style and will add to the overall vibe of the space.
how to select curtain colors
Curtain panels take up a large amount of visual space and as a result, play a crucial role in the cohesiveness of a room. When learning how to pick curtain colors, consider curtain panels that best suit the area, keeping existing color schemes and decor in mind. Hanging drapes in a room that features a neutral palette? Maintain a streamlined aesthetic with solid white drapes, black or grey curtains. Or, take a different approach in a room with more whimsical accents—think colorful decorative pillows, throw blankets and wall art—with panels in fun designs that include stripes, zig zags or ombré.
White Curtains
White curtains and drapes in ivory are light, airy and can work for almost any space, especially a more neutral one.
Blue Curtains
Cool colors like blue curtains and green window treatments are soothing and compliment shades such as yellow, pale pink or other blue tones. We love a monochromatic blue moment.
Grey Curtains
If a subtle color is what you’re going for, try a neutral grey curtain—it compliments greens, blues and other neutral hues nicely.
Black Curtains
Create a cozy, dramatic interior using black curtains. Black curtains block out light and work well with most color schemes.
Solid Curtains
If the room is filled with many different patterns, try solid curtains. They’re versatile and easy to layer with decor that is already in your home.
Printed Curtains
From boldly patterned to subtle, printed drapery or striped curtains turn your windows into a design element all on their own.
how to choose curtain rods & hardware
To achieve the best look, coordinate the finish of your curtain hardware with the color of your curtains. For example, a matte finish will pair well with curtains that are a warmer hue. Or if you prefer the look of layered window treatments, use a double curtain rod to hang a set of semi-sheer curtain panels over sheer liners. This allows for creativity in mixing colors and patterns, and you’ll also have more control over privacy and light.
FAQ
expert answers to choosing curtains
When choosing curtains for the living room you’ll want to take function and privacy into consideration. Think about how much light you want to pour into the room.
The best way to layer curtains is to combine sheer curtains with a heavier curtain fabric so you control the amount of light that enters the room.
To choose the right curtain length and size, first measure the floor up to where you plan on positioning the curtain rod. The best way is to mark this spot with a pencil, then round up to the nearest curtain panel size.
When deciding how long your curtains should be, consider standard curtain lengths, such as 63", 84", 96", 108" and 120" curtains. Generally, drapery that hovers about ½ inch off the ground provides a crisp and clean aesthetic, while those that float a bit higher—think 2 to 3 inches—offer a more casual look. Going for a more romantic touch? Add 4 to 6 inches to allow for puddling on the floor.
When choosing the right curtain rod length and size, it’s recommended that each end of the curtain rod extends 3 to 6 inches beyond the frame of the window. For rooms that are smaller or have multiple windows close together, consider hanging the curtain rods less wide to avoid a cluttered look. Also, curtain panels look best when hung higher up making the ceiling appear taller.
Knowing how to hang curtains depends on the aesthetic you're going for. Generally, drapery that hangs about ½ inch off the ground provides a crisp and clean aesthetic, while those that float a bit higher—think 2 to 3 inches—offer a more casual look. Going for a more romantic touch? Hang your curtains 4 to 6 inches from the ground to allow for a puddling effect.
Curtain panels or window treatments should be two to two-and-a-half times the width of the window in larger spaces, and one to one-and-a-half times the width of the window in smaller ones.
When choosing a curtain color, consider how curtain panels will add to the visual space and as a result, play a crucial role in the cohesiveness of a room. When looking for curtain panels that best suit the area, keep existing color schemes or accent pieces, such as throw pillows and decorative wall mirrors in mind.
Hanging drapes in a room that features a neutral palette? Maintain a streamlined aesthetic with solid white drapes, black or grey curtains. Or, take a different approach in a room with more whimsical accents—think window curtain panels in fun designs, such as stripes, zig zags or ombré.
The amount of curtain panels you should purchase depends on how large your window is. Smaller windows may only need one, versus a larger window may need up to four. To determine the number of curtain panels you need, multiple the window width by 1.5” or 2”. Divide your total by the width of a single curtain panel to get the number of panels you need.
When buying curtains, consider their function for each room in the house. Think about if you need living room or bedroom curtains, how much privacy you want and how much light you want to enter the room.
