Are dark or light curtains better?

Author: Dr. Ben Schiller  |  Last update: Sunday, June 26, 2022

Light coloured curtains are good for rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight as they're less prone to fading from the sun. Dark and bright colours tend to fade faster. Good summer options as a white/lighter colour is more likely to bounce the sun's rays away keeping rooms cooler.

What color should your curtains be?

Curtains should complement the furnishings in the room

The colour of your curtains should ideally be in sync with the rest of the furnishings. You could either choose drapes that harmonise with the decor or contrast with it. For a pleasing look, choose drapes in a colour that complement the shade of your walls.

Do dark curtains make a room look smaller?

Thick curtains and dark curtains are known for making a regular room look slightly smaller, while sheer curtains made of lightly-colored fabrics are ideal for helping to visually expand a room's size.

What colour curtains make room look brighter?

Heavy curtains make the room feel dark when you want to lighten the room to make it feel brighter. Focus on the lighter curtain colors as well. A warm yellow or soft blue can help turn any room airier.

Do dark curtains make room cooler?

Blackout curtains and shades will reduce the amount of heat which is transferred via your windows by as much as 24 percent, keeping the rooms where they're installed cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This will allow you to use your heating and cooling system more efficiently and save energy.

Blackout Curtains vs Room Darkening

Does dark curtains make room hotter?

Black and white are the colours that you might be wondering about which colour will give your room a cooler temperature. Well, the answer is white curtain colours keep the room cooler than a black coloured curtain fabric because the colour white reflects the thermal energy and black absorbs it.

Do black curtains look good?

They offer a great contrast in any room with neutral colors. They can create interesting focal points and complement other pops of black color in the entire room to bring it all style in a backdrop that is both versatile and timeless. This allows all your colorful accents and wall art to shine through.

What do dark curtains do to a room?

Drapery in rich dark shades make large and high-ceilinged rooms visually shrink and appear cozy. If the furnishing is scarce and there is a lot of empty spaces, dark coloured drapes can make the room look fuller.

How do you brighten a badly lit room?

How to Brighten a Dark Room in 10 Creative Ways
  1. Place mirrors near light sources. ...
  2. Fairy lights, candles, and other ambient light sources. ...
  3. Pick lighter color or transparent furniture. ...
  4. Cover floors with large, bright area rug. ...
  5. Embrace white walls. ...
  6. Deep clean your windows. ...
  7. Opt for light beige/gray curtains.

How do you make a room look bigger and brighter?

Use contrasts and light colors that make rooms look bigger

Light and bright walls are more reflective, making a space feel open and airy, which helps maximize natural light's effect. Dark shades tend to absorb light, making rooms feel smaller. Accent walls to make a room look bigger is another way to go.

Do floor to ceiling curtains make a room look bigger?

"Extending your draperies from floor to ceiling and from wall to wall surrounding your window makes them appear bigger," explains Francesco Bilotto.

Do long curtains make a room look taller?

1. Making Your Room Look Larger or Smaller with Curtains. The length of your curtain, the stripe pattern, and the style affect the height illusion. It's best for a small room with a low ceiling to hang the curtains close to the ceiling and let them run the entire length to the floor.

Do long or short curtains make a room look bigger?

Long curtains, higher ceilings

This will make the ceiling look higher, and the space appear bigger.

What color should my living room curtains be?

It is always a good idea to match your curtain color with home decor pieces. A double layer of one sheer and one blackout is a classic and functional choice. If you are looking for minimal and modern style, pick a color that is close to you wall color or a slightly darker shade.

Which curtain length looks best?

If you are interested in stationary panels, you will want your curtains to be long enough to lightly brush the floor, but not so long that they bunch up in a pile. A good rule of thumb is for your curtains to break anywhere from a ¼” to ½” from the floor, similar to a break in pant legs on your shoe.

What should your curtains match?

When Matching Curtains, What Do You Match To?
  • Choose a shade similar to your walls. ...
  • Select a print or solid color in a neutral palette that will be versatile enough to work with a variety of wall colors. ...
  • The last and most bold approach is to use a bright pattern or color to contrast your walls.

How do you fake natural light in a dark room?

We did a little digging and discovered a handful of ways to create the illusion of more natural light in your home, from mirrors to houseplants.
  1. Stock up on mirrors. ...
  2. Avoid dark tones. ...
  3. Gloss up your surfaces. ...
  4. Employ artificial light. ...
  5. Add greenery.

How can I add light to a room without overhead lights?

Explore these ways to light a room without ceiling lights
  1. Floor lamps. In a dark room, floor lamps can bring the night to life. ...
  2. Plug-in wall sconces. ...
  3. Plug-in ceiling pendants. ...
  4. LED strips. ...
  5. String lights. ...
  6. Table lamps. ...
  7. Portable lights. ...
  8. Star lights.

Is there a light that mimics sunlight?

SAD lamps, also known as sun lamps or light boxes, work by imitating sunlight. These lamps typically show measurements in lux, which refers to the lamp's luminance level.

How do you brighten a room with dark curtains?

Remove Curtains With Dark, Heavy Fabrics

Curtains made from heavy dark fabrics will make your room feel drab and dark. Replace them with sheers! Sheer drapes will let natural light diffuse for the room and will visually lighten the space too! If you don't like sheers add drapes made from light colored cotton or linen.

Do white curtains look good?

Are White Curtains a Bad Idea? Although they bring a delicate warmth and homeliness to any space in the home, soften windows and offer a touch of privacy whilst allowing for an abundance of natural light, for some white curtains may not be the best idea. Why? Well, for starters, white is notorious for getting dirty.

Which Colour curtain is best for bedroom?

What colour should bedroom curtains be and should they be lighter or darker than the walls? It is a good idea to consider soothing and peaceful colours such as green, blue or pink in a bedroom. These colours are all known for their soothing and calming qualities.

Do black curtains darken a room?

Curtains are one layer of fabric, typically used because they let some light filter into a room. Blackout curtains have room-darkening features built into the fabric, which makes for a thicker fabric.

Do you match curtains to wall color?

Curtains should match the style, texture, size, and color tone of your living room walls and couch. They need to look balanced and intentional to produce the desired effect. Curtains that don't match will create a style conflict that affects the beauty of the room.

Do curtains help cool a room?

The clever use of blinds, curtains, and other window treatments can help keep your house cool and your bills in check. The Department of Energy says the smart management of window coverings can reduce heat gain by up to 77 percent. (And, as a bonus, these same practices can reduce heat loss in the winter.)

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