Best Curtain Styles For Different Interior Design Themes

Curtains play a vital role in defining the style of a room. It brings together all your design elements and ties the theme of your space together. Whether you’re a fan of modern minimalism or of timeless traditionals, choosing the right curtain is the key to significantly enhance the look and feel of a space. Below, we take a look at the best curtain styles for the most popular interior design themes. We also included some Interior Designer tips to help you successfully pull off each of these looks for your home.

Modern Minimalist

The modern minimalist style calls for a sleek, contemporary look and it emphasizes a clean, streamlined aesthetic.

Curtain Style – Floor to ceiling curtains that have clean lines and simple designs are some of the best curtain styles to use for modern minimalist interiors.. These are best paired with ceiling mounted curtain rods to make the space feel more open and airy and give the room an illusion of height. Paneled curtains with grommets are also another ideal option for modern interiors because of their polished design and understated elegance.

Best Fabrics to Use – Lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen are the best fabric options because they help provide a crisp look.

Recommended Colors – Solid neutral colors like white, beige, gray or black.

Patterns – If you want to incorporate some patterns, opt for simple prints like stripes in neutral colors. Avoid using heavy patterns and excessive embellishments.

Mid Century Modern

The iconic Mid century Modern design is all about simplicity and functionality. Mixing both contemporary and classic design, this style features vibrant patterns, bold colors and clean lines.

Curtain Style – To reflect the Mid Century Modern style, choose curtains that are simple, tailored and have a straightforward design. Floor to ceiling curtains are also excellent choices because they help emphasize vertical lines in a space. Use wooden curtain rods in natural finish or metal hardware to complement its sleek aesthetic.

Best Fabrics to Use – The best fabrics to use are those with a slight sheen for visual interest. Velvet and textured cotton are also ideal alternatives if you want something rich.

Recommended Colors – Vibrant hues and saturated retro colors like olive green, mustard, orange and teal. For neutrals, beige, white and gray are your go-to’s.

Patterns – If you want patterns, go with fabrics that have abstract or geometric prints to with the lively aesthetic of Mid Century Modern design.
If you want something more dynamic, organic shapes and free flowing curves are also ideal patterns.

Classic and Traditional Elegance

Traditional interiors are known for their sophisticated, timeless look that is achieved through the use of rich colors, high quality materials and intricate details.

Curtain Style – Heavy drapes that have a fuller and formal design are the best curtain styles to complete class interiors. Additionally, put emphasis on the symmetry of the curtain design by complementing it with elaborate details like swags and jabots that dramatically fall on both sides.

For an added touch of grandeur, pair heavy drapes with decorative curtain rods, tie backs, tassels and gilded hardware.
Another option is to use pleated curtains such as pinch, box, or goblet pleats that have a strong, structured form. The tailored design of pleated curtains also help bring in symmetry to a space.

Best Fabrics to Use – Rich and high quality fabrics like velvet, silk, brocade for an opulent look.

Recommended Colors – Deep and luxurious jewel tones like burgundy, ruby, navy, emerald, deep purples and gold are signature colors of traditional interior design style which are perfect for formal curtains.

Patterns – Classic and formal patterns which are ornate and extravagant like damasks, florals, toiles and paisleys are perfect in tying traditional style curtains with the rest of the decor.

Scandinavian Simplicity

Scandinavian interiors are well known for their minimalist and functional design that incorporates clean lines, a neutral color palette and natural materials.

Curtain Style – Focus on simple and minimalist curtains styles like plain sheer white curtains. Roller blinds are also common in Scandinavian interiors because of their seamless and functional design. Alternatively, you can use panel curtains because they also have a sleek, modern look that emphasizes clean straight lines.

Best Fabrics to Use – Make use of light airy fabrics like chiffon, voile cotton and linen to maximize natural light and keep the space open and bright. However, if you want more privacy, another option is to use slightly opaque cotton fabrics.

Recommended Colors – White and very light neutrals like cream, greige and cool gray. Avoid bright and bold hues for your curtain colors.

Patterns – While Scandinavian design favors solid curtain colors, you can still incorporate some patterns using subtle prints like light stripes or small geometric shapes. Avoid big and loud patterns because it clashes with a minimalist aesthetic.

Urban Industrial

Industrial decor has a rugged, urban aesthetic and a raw, edgy vibe characterized by exposed architectural elements, mix of raw materials and neutral tones.

Curtain Style – Focus on emphasizing height by using floor to ceiling curtains. Opt for simple, unadorned designs with exposed hardware like metal rods and rings to match exposed pipes.

Best Fabrics to Use – Heavy duty fabrics like denim are perfect for industrial style curtains because of their rugged look and slightly rough texture. Another suitable choice is canvas which is durable, utilitarian and complements the raw, unfinished aesthetic of industrial style spaces.

Recommended Colors – Opt for a dark neutral palette for your curtains like shades of gray, charcoal and taupe.
If you want something more lively, rust orange is a good accent because it can add a pop of color without being too overpowering.

Patterns – Instead of patterns, go with solid colored curtains because they have an uncluttered appearance.

Farmhouse Charm

The Farmhouse style has a strong “lived in” feel and cozy atmosphere that is achieved through the use of natural textures, warm colors and rustic materials. Overall, it has a clean, understated look.

Curtain Style – Farmhouse decor is characterized by a country style aesthetic, so opt for simple curtain designs like rod pocket curtains with tiebacks. Cafe curtains that cover only half of the window are also quintessentially farmhouses because they offer a charming look while allowing maximum sunlight to pass through. You can also pair any of these curtain styles with valances or ruffles for an added decorative touch.

Best Fabrics to Use – Choose casual fabrics like cotton or linen to help give a homey feel to a space. Opt for curtains in natural fibers like burlap, cotton, or linen if you want something more rustic and earthy.

Recommended Colors – Warm neutral tones like beiges, brown and rust are the best colors you can use for farmhouse style curtains. Soft colors like powder blue, buttercream yellow, dusty rose and blush can also be used if you want a subtle pop of color in your curtains.

Patterns – Simple classic patterns like stripes, gingham, plaids, checkered and florals all bring in a strong farmhouse charm to curtains. You can also go with natural textures

Bohemian Chic

Popularly referred to as “boho”, the bohemian interior design style is a vibrant artistic style that is characterized by a rich combination of textures, patterns and colors. Overall, it has a relaxed vibe and a warm, inviting mood.

Curtain Style – Opt for artistic curtain styles like handmade macrames, beadworks and knotted curtains that bring in that creative touch in the space.

Best Fabrics to Use – Delicate, sheer and flowy fabrics like gauze and lace are perfect for boho interiors because of their soft look. Sheer fabrics allow a lot of natural light in the space that help enhance the bright, airy feel of the space.

For a more authentic boho feel, consider beaded curtains, woven or handmade curtains. Macrames are also a staple boho style decor that has a strong rustic yet charming character to it. Curtains made with natural fibers like bamboo, hemp or jute are also perfect for this style because of their organic feel.

Recommended Colors – Bold hues and earthy tones like beige, cream, tan, rust, olive green, forest green are the best curtains colors for bohemian interiors.

Patterns – Opt for intricate eclectic patterns like florals, tribal prints and unique tie dyes. You can also layer different textures from a variety of fabrics and curtains styles for more depth and visual interest.