We are going to kick off our refresh and reset series with a look at living room styling and how to utilize window curtains in this space. The living room is the heart of a home, the most used space in the house, especially in recent years. The living room is now the epicenter of many of our lives. A living room might also function as an office, a classroom, a gym, and a place for hobbies. Multi-purpose usage does not mean that design and style need to go to the wayside. In between an open concept plan and traditional space of delineated rooms exists the new concept of small, purposeful spaces within the room as a whole.
Since we have established that the living room is the heart of the home, this busy area needs to be both functional and comfortable. It needs to be both a place to accomplish tasks and a place to unwind and relax. At the drape, we believe window curtains are more than a nice-to-have item. They can transform a room and should be made a priority when decorating.
Here are three design tips to get you started:
Create Space: Hang your curtain rods as high as possible above the window trim. This design tip has two benefits. The first is that a higher placed rod with drapery cascading down to the floor will make the room feel like it has more height. The second is that mounting the rods above the window will allow more sunshine and light in. The linen in natural allows light to filter in with a soft glow evoking warmth and coziness that welcomes and draws you in.
Use Color: All design styles revolve around color: elegant, classic, contemporary, eclectic, maximalist, and bohemian. Using window curtains allows you to layer on a large swatch of color to your decor. The living room is a space you spend a lot of time in so take the time to contemplate and compare colors. Order swatches and take time to make your color choices. Remember not to overlook the amount of coverage a drapery panel has. Here are some popular color inspirations.
You can pull an accent color like the gold from a pattern in the room and use a window curtain like the textured velvet in honey gold as a pop against the walls. If prints and patterns in a signature color cover your furniture, walls, and floors, then solid window curtains in the same color will frame the windows. This creates a place for the eye to rest and allows the patterns to be the star. A third idea is matching the wall color and the window curtain color to make the room feel larger creating a continuous expanse for the eye. This works with bold colors like the muted clay textured velvet. Neutral colors also work well for this design tip, creating a backdrop that you can play with as seasons change.
Play Up Texture: Creating designated areas and nooks in your living room may start to feel busy. Select a core color or color palette and add the interest with texture. Using texture as the key design element for our living room does not mean that the window curtains need to be a heavy woven fabric. The texture can be in layering. Adding drapes over blinds is a way to add depth and interest to a window. Hanging a window panel like the room darkener curtain in stone will also help keep heat inside.
Have fun and express yourself during the refresh and reset of your home. If you become overwhelmed and need help with your window curtain decisions, sign up for a complimentary design consultation.