20-Second Summary
Curtains are necessary for any room space, especially for living rooms. Here are three reasons why.
- Curtains for living room need to not just be aesthetic and match the room’s theme, but also add functionality to the room
- One must consider the color scheme, size of the curtain, and the materials in order to purchase or customize curtains for their living room.
- Room size is another factor, along with the type of window, to consider before purchasing curtains for your big or small living room.
This blog post is to help you decide the right curtain for your living room.
Why Are Curtains Necessary For the Living Room?
Curtains are not just a means of decoration for your living room. Curtains for living rooms provide a lot of benefits, including:
- Curtains provide privacy, especially when it’s dark in the evening and your windows show the inside when the lights are on.
- Curtains can help you control the natural lighting entering your room through windows. You can block out the light totally or let it in partially.
- You can also use curtains as a means of insulation and control the cold breeze by using heavy and thick curtains with insulation.
- You can add depth to your room, or use them to enhance the ambiance of your room by contrasting them with the room color theme, room size, and the window type.
Top Curtain Styles for Living Rooms
When it comes to styling the curtains, there are four ways curtains can be used.
Sheer Curtains
- Sheer curtains for the living room are a great way to provide a touch of privacy, but with the benefit of allowing balanced light to the room, too.
- These curtains are ideal for both large and small rooms, but in small rooms, they can make the room look bigger, especially with a big mirror opposite it.
Blackout Curtains
- Blackout curtains for the living room help to knock out the natural lighting from the room and provide complete privacy with full coverage.
- They also control temperature when insulated or made of a thick fabric.
Sheer vs. Blackout Curtains For the Living Room
When we talk about the styles of curtains for living rooms, the two styles of curtains for living rooms are always the blackout and the sheer ones.
Although we have already explored them briefly above, let us have a look at their comparison in tabular form to see their impact on a living room.
| Factor | Sheer Curtains for Living Room | Blackout Curtains for Living Room |
| Ideal Room Size | Small or large roomsProvides a spacious feel in small rooms. | Medium to large rooms only, as the heavy fabric may be overwhelming for the small spaces. |
| Window Type | Works well with large or tall windowsEnhances natural light | Suitable for all window types Ideal for windows receiving direct sunlight |
| Weather Conditions | Best for mild climatesAllows ventilation | Ideal for hot or cold climatesProvides insulation and temperature control |
| Privacy | Light privacy during the daytimeLimited privacy at night time | Offers full privacy both in the day and nighttime |
| Pros | Creates airy ambianceEnhances décorMakes small rooms look bigger | Blocks sunlight completelyEnhances sleep and media viewing, Controls room temperatureProvide full privacy |
| Cons | Limited privacy at nightMinimal insulationLayering is required for full privacy | Makes rooms feel darker or smaller when used in a small spaceHeavier fabric requires sturdier rods,The airflow is usually less |
Modern Curtains
- Usually made of natural fabrics like cotton and linen, the modern curtain designs for the living rooms are in trend now.
- Modern curtains are very minimalist, they have clean lines, and neutral colors like beige, skin, and white, etc.
- These are functional and easy to use, and can also be used as smart curtains with motorized functions and remote controls.
Curtain Layering Techniques
Although we have seen the top three styles, including the sheer, blackout, and modern curtains separately, the experts always love the idea of layering the curtains.
- By using the sheer curtains layered with blackout curtains, you can keep full control of both lighting and privacy. You can let the daylight be smooth and available during daytime with a sheer curtain against the window and keeping thick layers aside.
- At night, you can cover the sheer curtains and windows with an added layer of blockout curtains.
- Modern layered curtains and blinds in the living room can also be a great way for additional insulation and smart coverage, and aesthetics of the room with remote control features for both curtains and blinds.
Factors to Choose the Best Curtains for Your Living Room
When it comes to living room curtain ideas, choosing the best curtains for a living room is not an easy task, and you need to consider the three factors before heading out for curtain shopping.
Room size
In small living rooms, always use light colored curtains to make the space look bigger.
- Sheer curtains can be ideal when layered with other light colored curtains. The blackout curtains in light colors but with thick fabric can give privacy at night, and the sheer ones can make the room look bright and big in daytime.
- Use mirrors against the window and sheer curtains, to give the room a more spacious feel and look
Window type
You also need to consider your window type and size before investing in the curtains. Below you will find a simple table on the best type of window for different curtain types, align with their light control, insulation, privacy, and maintenance with each window type.
| Curtain Type | Ideal Room Size | Best Window Types | Light Control | Insulation | Privacy | Maintenance |
| Sheer | Small or large | Floor-to-ceiling, bay | Partial | Minimal | Daytime only | Easy, machine washable |
| Blackout | Medium to large | Any, especially sunny-facing | Full | High | Full day & night | Moderate, heavier fabric |
| Modern | Small to large | Wide, sliding, high windows | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Easy, often remote-controlled |
| Layered (Sheer + Blackout/Modern) | Small to large | Large or floor-to-ceiling | Adjustable | High | Full control | Moderate, layered care needed |
Desired ambiance
- You also need to look at the ambiance of your living room before buying the curtains. If you have a specific theme, like a Pink and Green Living Room Paint Makeover, then you can invest in adding sheer curtains with light pink curtains as a layer for small rooms, and thick, insulated curtains in dark pink colors for large living rooms.
- Similarly, if you want a very minimalist look for your living room, then you might only need to invest in modern curtains with blinds of sheer curtains as an extra layering in minimalist colors like cream, light greys, and beige.
Hanging Curtains to Enhance Room Aesthetics
In order to enhance the aesthetics of your room, you need to consider how to hang curtains to make your room appear taller.
- Always mount the curtain rods high above the windows to make the curtains look taller.
- The curtains must touch the floor and not be above it.
- Use plain curtains, or light curtains with vertical lines to make the ceiling look taller.
- If you are using layered curtains, and the second layer is an insulated and thick fabric, then consider using the thicker rods that can carry the weight well.
Final Remarks
Curtains are not just decoration. They are the most functional part of your room, which adds to its space, makes it airy and spacious, adds ambiance to it, and provides insulation to your living room.
This blog entails all the tips that you need to consider before investing in curtains for the living room.
Do not forget to read about the Functional Living Room Ideas, by Home Improvement Adivse too. We give the best living room ideas, and they keep getting updated regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best types of curtains for a living room?
If you want an airy and light coverage room, a sheer curtain will be best, but for full coverage, insulation, and light blockage for privacy, you can use thick materials like velvet with insulation.
- How do I choose the right curtain size for my living room windows?
For the length, measure the length from the top of the rod to the floor, and for the width, multiply your window width by 1.5 to 3.
- Sheer vs blackout curtains: which is better for living rooms?
It depends on your choice, but we suggest using both in combination, especially for small living rooms, where sheer curtains will add brightness and space, and at night, blackout curtains will provide full privacy.
- Can I layer curtains in the living room, and how should I do it?
Yes, you can layer curtains in the living room either by layering sheer curtains with blackout curtains, or modern curtains with blinds for minimal coverage during the day, night, and full coverage and insulation at nighttime.
- What curtain materials are ideal for different living room climates?
If you live in chilly areas, use heavy materials for insulation. For humid areas with high temperatures, use lightweight and moisture-resistant fabrics.
