Decorating
10 Modern Ideas for Curtains
From cool linens to dramatic drapes, curtains not only cosy up your home, they can also add a shot of real glamour
Blinds and shutters have their place, but curtains are still a classic choice. They can soften stark spaces, keep in warmth during winter and add colour, texture, pattern and glamour in one fell swoop.
Curtains work well in bedrooms (ideally with blackout lining for a better night’s sleep), and can transform a living area into a cosy, welcoming space. They look especially good in traditional or country homes, but don’t rule them out for more modern spaces – hung on a hidden tracking system or in the right shimmery fabric, curtains can inject a generous dose of boutique elegance into a room.
Here’s how to pick the perfect curtains for your home.
Curtains work well in bedrooms (ideally with blackout lining for a better night’s sleep), and can transform a living area into a cosy, welcoming space. They look especially good in traditional or country homes, but don’t rule them out for more modern spaces – hung on a hidden tracking system or in the right shimmery fabric, curtains can inject a generous dose of boutique elegance into a room.
Here’s how to pick the perfect curtains for your home.
Embrace cottage style
It can be a fine line between cute country florals and overblown chintz – the key is in the print.
This cottage stays on the right side of modern thanks to the curtains’ subtle botanical design in muted colours. Plain walls and a pared-back flagstone floor also keep the twee factor at bay.
You might not think of hanging curtains in a hallway, but it feels right in a country setting, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
It can be a fine line between cute country florals and overblown chintz – the key is in the print.
This cottage stays on the right side of modern thanks to the curtains’ subtle botanical design in muted colours. Plain walls and a pared-back flagstone floor also keep the twee factor at bay.
You might not think of hanging curtains in a hallway, but it feels right in a country setting, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Pick a heavy fabric
Curtains in the bedroom make sense – they help keep a space warm by blocking out draughts. In fact, in the days before central heating, curtains were crucial for this task, and if you live in a period property that lacks double glazing, they could help to reduce your heating bills.
Choose a heavier fabric for bedroom curtains, such as velvet or twill, that will block the light, so you don’t wake with the dawn chorus. Don’t skimp on fabric and make sure the curtains are well lined for further insulation.
Want to cosy up your rooms? Velvet is the fabric for you
Curtains in the bedroom make sense – they help keep a space warm by blocking out draughts. In fact, in the days before central heating, curtains were crucial for this task, and if you live in a period property that lacks double glazing, they could help to reduce your heating bills.
Choose a heavier fabric for bedroom curtains, such as velvet or twill, that will block the light, so you don’t wake with the dawn chorus. Don’t skimp on fabric and make sure the curtains are well lined for further insulation.
Want to cosy up your rooms? Velvet is the fabric for you
Try a Scandi pattern
There are some beautiful Scandi-style fabrics around, and they can work brilliantly as curtains in a modern playroom or nursery like this one.
Always consider whether your curtain design will clash with other elements in your room – here, a neutral scheme and pale colours mean it doesn’t overwhelm the space.
There are some beautiful Scandi-style fabrics around, and they can work brilliantly as curtains in a modern playroom or nursery like this one.
Always consider whether your curtain design will clash with other elements in your room – here, a neutral scheme and pale colours mean it doesn’t overwhelm the space.
Be bold with colour
It can be tempting to stick with variations on a theme of oatmeal, beige, greige and cream, but curtains don’t have to be shy and retiring. These teal blue numbers go with the carpet, sofa and headboard, and add an uplifting jolt of colour to a rather grand space.
When choosing colour or pattern, think about the effect your curtains will make both when they’re drawn back or pulled across – it may be very different.
Discover more ways to decorate with teal
It can be tempting to stick with variations on a theme of oatmeal, beige, greige and cream, but curtains don’t have to be shy and retiring. These teal blue numbers go with the carpet, sofa and headboard, and add an uplifting jolt of colour to a rather grand space.
When choosing colour or pattern, think about the effect your curtains will make both when they’re drawn back or pulled across – it may be very different.
Discover more ways to decorate with teal
Hang light-diffusing voile
There’s something lovely and romantic about long, sheer, floaty curtains, especially in a light, bright scheme like this one. They provide privacy while still letting the sunlight seep in – but are much more contemporary than old-school nets.
Long voile curtains look particularly good in a bedroom. Here, a neat little pelmet has been added for a sleek, fuss-free look.
You can team voile with curtains, or use them to soften and conceal blinds.
There’s something lovely and romantic about long, sheer, floaty curtains, especially in a light, bright scheme like this one. They provide privacy while still letting the sunlight seep in – but are much more contemporary than old-school nets.
Long voile curtains look particularly good in a bedroom. Here, a neat little pelmet has been added for a sleek, fuss-free look.
You can team voile with curtains, or use them to soften and conceal blinds.
Cover your tracks
In this elegant living room, cornicing has been used to conceal the curtain tracks – a neat trick that means the floor-length drapes don’t detract from the period style of the room.
These curtains have been teamed with sheer Roman blinds that diffuse light and offer perfect privacy – a brilliant combination that’s both stylish and practical. Alternatively, consider having double tracks or poles so you can easily hang voiles or muslins behind your curtains.
If you’re hanging drapes in a bay window, you’ll need a curved curtain track – get one made to measure, or look for special metal tracks that can be bent by hand.
In this elegant living room, cornicing has been used to conceal the curtain tracks – a neat trick that means the floor-length drapes don’t detract from the period style of the room.
These curtains have been teamed with sheer Roman blinds that diffuse light and offer perfect privacy – a brilliant combination that’s both stylish and practical. Alternatively, consider having double tracks or poles so you can easily hang voiles or muslins behind your curtains.
If you’re hanging drapes in a bay window, you’ll need a curved curtain track – get one made to measure, or look for special metal tracks that can be bent by hand.
Choose a fabric you love
Picking a quality, lined fabric makes sense if you can afford to – a decent pair of curtains can last you a lifetime. These gorgeous pencil pleat ones combine a classic print with a modern shot of colour. They go beautifully with the Persian-style rug and original fireplace, but the overall effect is timeless, not traditional.
When buying a curtain track, remember it needs to support the weight of the curtains you choose – a metal track, for example, may be sturdier than a plastic one. Also think about which mechanism you’d prefer: corded curtain tracks can be easier to operate if you’re opening and closing your drapes multiple times a day.
Picking a quality, lined fabric makes sense if you can afford to – a decent pair of curtains can last you a lifetime. These gorgeous pencil pleat ones combine a classic print with a modern shot of colour. They go beautifully with the Persian-style rug and original fireplace, but the overall effect is timeless, not traditional.
When buying a curtain track, remember it needs to support the weight of the curtains you choose – a metal track, for example, may be sturdier than a plastic one. Also think about which mechanism you’d prefer: corded curtain tracks can be easier to operate if you’re opening and closing your drapes multiple times a day.
Go as tall as you like
There’s no limit to how long curtains can be (as long as you can find an obliging curtain-maker, of course). The impressive cascading drapes in this modern space have a darker section at the bottom to blend in with the floor.
There’s no limit to how long curtains can be (as long as you can find an obliging curtain-maker, of course). The impressive cascading drapes in this modern space have a darker section at the bottom to blend in with the floor.
Fade to grey
If in doubt, pearly grey curtains in a shimmery silk or satin are a great modern choice for a living room – they go with nearly everything and have the requisite amount of glamour to lift a space. These curtains are perfect: elegant, simple and neutral, but definitely not dull.
TELL US…
Which curtain styles do you prefer? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
If in doubt, pearly grey curtains in a shimmery silk or satin are a great modern choice for a living room – they go with nearly everything and have the requisite amount of glamour to lift a space. These curtains are perfect: elegant, simple and neutral, but definitely not dull.
TELL US…
Which curtain styles do you prefer? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Eyelet curtains are easy to hang and often affordable – no special hooks or tracking systems are required, just hang them on a pole – and they can also look very contemporary, thanks to their soft, wide folds.
Here, long, neutral eyelet curtains have been teamed with a voile to subtly soften this modern living space in a London apartment.
When buying ready-made curtains, always check your measurements carefully to ensure they won’t end two inches too short – to the floor is your aim.