No, your dining and living room curtains do not need to match. In fact, mixing them can add depth and personality to your space. However, if your rooms share an open floor plan or are highly visible to one another, it is best to coordinate them so they look purposeful rather than disjointed.
Even though ornate valances were once a staple in traditional-style homes, they are now considered outdated. "Avoid overly ornate valances, which can feel dated and heavy," says interior designer Danielle Chiprut. "They can feel at odds with today's preference for light, airy interiors."
The best dining room curtain colors elevate the mood and match your decor. Neutrals (ivory, beige) offer versatility, dark tones (navy, burgundy) provide formal elegance, and warm earth tones (terracotta, olive) create a cozy, appetite-stimulating atmosphere.
Curtain trends in 2026 are shifting from purely functional covers to architectural statement pieces. The top looks emphasize rich, natural textures, layered depth, warm neutral and earth-toned palettes, and smart home integration to bring quiet luxury and character to interior spaces.
Thankfully, Stewart was quick to ease our curtain concerns. She says, “They're beautiful, I don't have anything against them, I just don't live with them… I like to look outside. Every window [in my home] looks out to something nice, and it's just all open to the view.”
Martha Stewart recently went on the In Bed with Paige DeSorbo Amazon livestream and dropped a hot take about how often she swaps her bedding. Stewart revealed that she has her sheets changed every two to three days.
Practical curtain alternatives for modern homes
Curtain trends focus on adding warmth, dimension, and personality to spaces. Designers are favoring rich textures (like linen and velvet), layered treatments (pairing sheers with heavier drapes), floor-to-ceiling lengths, and bold patterns.
LUCKY COLOR OF THE YEAR 2026 TRANSFORMATIVE TEAL.
Some of Stewart's homes utilize interior blinds for light regulation and privacy. Others feature windows framed by exterior shutters, operable versions of which can also be used for light control, ventilation and privacy.
“I would not ever use neon colors in a dining room,” says interior designer Monique Holland. “Visually these colors can invoke feelings of anxiety and overstimulate the senses. A fluorescent color may also reflect onto surfaces and become distracting.”
Cream, taupe, or grey curtains are very easy to match with the rest of your decor. They match well with most colors and look particularly nice when brighter accents are used in front of them.
Deciding between curtains or no curtains depends on your space's acoustics, privacy, and architectural style. Curtains soften harsh echoes on hard surfaces and add warmth for evening entertaining. Bare windows offer a sleek, modern aesthetic and let in maximum natural light, which works best if you have a beautiful view.
A tacky look isn't always the result of bad taste or budget mistakes. Designers say it often comes down to overcommitment—locking into trends, finishes, or layouts to the point that a home stops feeling lived in.
Yes, curtains are incredibly stylish. Moving past bare minimalism, modern window treatments have evolved into major, mood-setting statement pieces. The 2026 design landscape focuses on warmth, "quiet luxury," and architectural integration.
To make budget curtains look high-end, hang them as close to the ceiling as possible and extend the rod past the window frame. Ensure they are twice the width of the window for fullness, use 4-prong hooks on rings for a tailored pleat, and train the fabric to fall in crisp, weighted folds.
Interior paint trends for 2026 are shifting away from stark whites and cool grays toward moody, nature-inspired, and deeply comforting earthy tones.
The best curtain color for your living room depends on your goals, but soft white, beige, light gray, and navy blue are top choices. The perfect pick creates a cohesive aesthetic that either blends seamlessly or provides a striking accent to your furniture and wall paint.
In traditional practices like Feng Shui and global color psychology, gold, green, and red are the primary colors believed to attract wealth. Each hue works differently to manifest prosperity.
Curtains that look expensive have weight, texture, and a tailored drape. The most premium-looking styles include heavy velvet, 100% Belgian or European linen, and raw silk. Flimsy, unlined materials and flat, tight headings often make even quality curtains appear cheap.
Curtain trends for 2026: calm colour, texture & timeless style
6 Curtain Styles Designers Avoid—and What They Use Instead
Replace traditional window drapes with modern alternatives like window films (for a sleek, frosted privacy look), interior plantation shutters (for timeless elegance and light control), or woven wood and Roman shades (for texture and a soft, tailored fold).
Curtain trends prioritize a blend of nature-inspired comfort and layered elegance. Key styles include textured natural fabrics, rich earthy and jewel tones, sheer layering, and dramatic statement hardware.
Yes, you can absolutely have blinds without curtains. Using only blinds is a highly popular, modern choice that provides a clean, tailored look while offering excellent privacy and light control.