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Should My Curtains Be The Same Colour as The Walls?

There is a lot of uncertainty when deciding on the best colour for new curtains and whether or not they should match the wall colour.

19/07/2023

 

 

 

 

While there are plenty of design rules that you can look to for information and inspiration when decorating a home, when it comes to curtains you have choices. The main decisions that you have to make are those listed below and once you have determined the reason for adding curtains, you will be in a more positive state of mind to select the perfect curtains for any room in your home.

 

 

 

 

 

Curtains and walls of the same colour?

When looking for ideas and inspiration for your decorating project, you will come across hundreds of ideas for rooms in the home and many of them will offer differing opinions based on interior designer views. Not all interior designers have the same thought processes just as decorated rooms do not look exactly the same. There has to be some leeway.

 

 

 

 

  • An eye-catching focal point or feature

  • If you want to have curtains that fade into the background and do not stand out as a feature in a room the usual reason for this is that you have a focal point or feature in the room where you want all the attention to be focused. Matching curtain and wall colour is the perfect way to do this as both the wall and curtains do not instantly grab attention.

 

  • Minimalist or monochromatic room design

  • Another reason to have curtains and walls in the same colour is when you have a specific minimalist look in mind or prefer to decorate in a single colour. The monochromatic look is about layering different textures in the same colour, or shades of the same colour, as a preferred decorating choice.

 

  • Chaotic room setting

  • Where a decorating scheme tends to be over-the-top or you find that rooms are overloaded with patterns and designs, choosing a calming or neutral colour for curtains, one that matches the wall colour, will soothe the overall effect and prevent chaos from ruling the room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curtain tone lighter or darker than wall colours

A good idea if any of the above doesn't apply but you don't want the curtains to exactly match the wall colour is to select a colour that is lighter or darker than the wall colour. That way, the curtains and wall will be almost similar in colour but the difference will bring depth to the room rather than let it fall flat if they are the same colour. But how do you know which is better for the room, lighter or darker?

 

 

 


  • A lighter tone provides several benefits

  • Choosing a level of lightness or darkness is all about how you want the room to feel and the mood you want to project. We all know by now that lighter colours make a room feel bright and spacious and a lighter tone for curtains will enhance this and uplift the room.
  • Curtains or a lighter colour would also work well in a room that doesn't receive a lot of natural light during the day and also in smaller rooms.
  • A lighter colour for curtains will visually cool down a room that receives hot sun during the daytime.
  • When you are looking to create an impact or focal point in a room that lacks any, using a lighter colour for curtains against a darker wall colour will achieve this effect.

 

 

 

 

  • A darker tone provides warmth and drama

  • Darker colours always feel cosy and welcoming and the same applies to the colour of curtains. Dark curtains will offer a dramatic contrast against light-coloured walls and they will enhance and frame a view through the window.
  • Dark curtains are great for larger rooms and have the effect of making a room feel cosy and relaxing making it the ideal choice for bedrooms.
  • Darkly coloured curtains can be used as a decorating tool to bring drama and warmth into a sterile room and, when dark curtains are juxtaposed against white walls, they provide a visual contrast that offers an eye-catching visual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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