Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Decor

My Formula For Using Curtains vs. Shades

October 19, 2023

We finally hung some more permanent curtains up in Greta's room, and I absolutely love how they turned out. Her room is far from "finished," in fact, she recently revealed to me that she doesn't really like pink anymore (teens), but her room feels much more cohesive now. This cohesive look actually got me thinking about window coverings in general and when and why I would choose to hang curtains vs. shades or blinds. So today, we're diving in. Let's take a look at some examples of when to use curtains and how to choose the right ones for your home.

1. For Privacy and Light Control

First and foremost, curtains offer a lovely way to balance privacy and light. If your room faces the street or a neighbor's window, drapes can provide the necessary privacy while still allowing soft light to permeate. Of course, curtains aren't the only window covering that can shield you from neighboring eyes and sunlight, but that's one of their many uses.

Greta's Room Sources

2. To Complete the Room

When I was designing Faye's room and trying to decide on window coverings, it took some playing around before getting it right. Since her bed is pushed up against the windows, I knew that the best way to add privacy would be by installing shades, but the room could really benefit by introducing more pattern and color through the curtains. Once we hung these custom curtains originally made for Polly's Modern Cottage bedroom, the room just felt complete.

Functionally, they stay open at all times and frame the windows just how I like, and we simply close the shades at night.

Faye's Room Sources

Now, Polly's room is a different story. Her walls are covered in the prettiest scenic wallpaper, which I don't want to cover up at all, and there's not much room on either side of the windows for curtains anyway. Plus, I really like how the white shutters add some charm to the space.

Polly's Room Sources

3. To Add Texture and Warmth

In the case of our walk-in closet, we needed some extra textiles to soften the look and feel of the room — easily fixed with some curtains.

Curtains (similar) | Ottoman | Vanity (similar) | Vanity Mirror (similar) | Chair (similar) | Chandelier | Cabinet Knobs

4. To Create a Focal Point

Bold-patterned or brightly-colored curtains can really capture the eye's attention. In Faye's Modern Cottage room, I went with these complementary gold velvet curtains to draw the eyes up to the ceiling and the cloud chandelier.

Bed (similar) | Curtains | Curtain Rod | Lamps (similar) | Mirror (similar) | Chandelier (similar) | Wallpaper | Duvet Cover

5. To Frame and Enlarge a Window

Long curtains, especially when hung just below the ceiling and extending to the floor, can make your windows look larger and your ceilings higher. My #1 tip when hanging curtains is to go high and wide to "cheat" the appearance of a large window. If you look closely at our basement, you might see that the curtain is hugging the edge of the window, making it look larger than it actually is (and who doesn't love a big window?)

Ottoman (similar) | Floor Lamp | Curtains | Tree | Leather Chair | Curtain Rod

6. For Acoustic Benefits

Lastly, curtains, particularly thick ones, can help dampen sound, making rooms like home theaters, bedrooms, or even noisy city apartments more homey and comfortable.

For a guide on "How to Hang Curtains Correctly," check out this post, and if you want some curtain recommendations, we've sorted some of our favorites priced from low to high below!

  1. Marcum Woven Plaid Curtain Panel $39
  2. Brighton Plaid Blackout Curtain $44
  3. Half Price Drapes Velvet Curtain $47
  4. Dreaming Casa Black Velvet Curtains (set of 2) $47
  5. Maison d' Hermine Curtain $55
  6. Faux Linen Darkening Curtain $82
  7. RHODE Batik Scallop Curtain (set of 2) $89
  8. Rowena Curtain $98
  9. Broadway Curtain (set of 2) $109'
  10. Verity Tweed Curtain $148
  11. Perla Curtain $148
  12. Belgian Flax Linen Curtain $149
  13. European Flax Linen Blackout Curtain $159
  14. Riviera Striped Linen/Cotton Blackout Curtain $169
  15. Thea Print Linen/Cotton Rod Pocket Curtain $179
  16. Kelso Room Darkening Curtain Panel $725


filed under: 
— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

Beautifully wrapped traditional presents stacked in a doorway
Gift Guides!

Holiday Gift Guides for Everyone in Your Life {2024}

Remember the thrill of unwrapping a gift that felt just right? Let's bring that magic back this holiday season!! Our curated gift guides for 2024 are filled with thoughtful picks that will make your loved ones feel special. That's what it's all about, after all. Whether you're shopping for your main guy, your clutch coworker, […]
Modern traditional kitchen with marble island and gold barstools
round up

The Best Cyber Monday Deals for Holiday Hosting

This post is sponsored by Wayfair. By the time Cyber Monday rolls around, I've usually grabbed the Christmas gifts I plan to buy for others and have moved on to home decor (my other favorite thing to shop for). My head is spinning with ideas on what my home needs for holiday parties on the […]
Sales

The Best Black Friday + Cyber Monday Deals in 2024

We collected all of the best deals of the holiday season—from tech to home decor—in one place for easy reference. Whether you want the lowest price on one of the best gifts of the year or you have a furniture item in your cart waiting for a discount, we’ve rounded up our recommendations. We're also […]
A white dish of peppermint brownies next to a red & white tea towel
Chris Cooks

Holiday Peppermint Brownies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Baking Dish | Striped Dish Towel (similar) I have a few recipes that are perfect for the holidays, and this is one of them. I make a really delicious brownie that can be made gluten-free and dairy-free, but you won't even know it's missing those elements when the peppermint flavor hits. It's really simple, and […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2024 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES