Coordinate curtains with your furniture by matching undertones, balancing patterns, and echoing textures. Avoid perfectly identical "matchy-matchy" sets. Instead, pull a secondary color from a patterned sofa or rug, and let solid drapes complement the space.
Your curtains should match both walls and furniture, floors, and the style of various ornamental objects. Out of the curtains. When, remember the content, patterns, and style of the room.
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.
Even though ornate valances were once a staple in traditional-style homes, they are now considered outdated.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 most classic and common of all methods of hanging drapery, a rod pocket is a sewn-in pocket, or casing, at the top of a drapery panel that easily slips over a rod and conceals it. Drapery panels hung this way bunch nicely and have a simple, casual look.
Layered Curtains
While heavy curtains are the answer to a room in need of some privacy, they can feel a little stuffy, often preventing light from gently filtering through during the daytime. This is where the ever-popular window treatment trend comes into play: the layered curtain.
Switch out your single curtain rod for a double rod. Then add a set of sheers closest to the window. For the front rod, hang heavier drapes made of polyester, velvet, silk or chenille. Curtains with a light filtering liner also feel thicker and heavier, so they hang nicely and feel more expensive.
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.
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.
LUCKY COLOR OF THE YEAR 2026 TRANSFORMATIVE TEAL.
Trending Window Treatment Ideas for Every Room
Interior design trends in 2026 are shifting away from stark minimalism and cool grays toward warmer, highly personalized spaces. The year's defining aesthetic prioritizes comfort, craftsmanship, organic shapes, and a "lived-in" feel that celebrates natural materials, rich earth tones, and tactile finishes.
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.”
Matching curtains to your sofa is about creating balance, not necessarily exact duplication. The safest rules are to match undertones (cool or warm), vary the shade (e.g., light sofa with dark curtains), or use a patterned curtain that incorporates your sofa's exact color.
The 2 3 Rule in interior design is a classic rule of thumb that suggests balancing elements by placing two-thirds of the visual weight on one side and one-third on the other.
A home looks expensive when it appears intentional, well-maintained, and custom. You can achieve this look on any budget by focusing on high-impact, detail-driven elements like architectural trim, layered ambient lighting, and high-quality natural textures rather than mass-produced pieces.
No, participants on HGTV's Ugliest House in America do not get to keep the staging furniture. Like most reality renovation shows, the furniture and decor are just props.
Since demand outweighs supply, housing prices are higher, and homes sell faster. Meanwhile, the worst months to sell a house are November through March or during the fall to winter, when potential buyers are preoccupied with holiday plans. Sellers should expect lower sales prices and higher DOM during these months.
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).
Martha Stewart, 83, has nothing to hide. She's always been unabashedly candid about her life and career, including her divorce and her 2005 stint in prison for insider trading. And now, the lifestyle guru is opening up about being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease vitiligo for the very first time.
How to Make Your Curtains Look More Expensive
Choose Luxury Fabrics Like Linen or Velvet Curtains
Fabric is everything. Heavier, textured materials like velvet curtains, linen curtains, or jacquard fall in rich folds that scream “luxury.” Flimsy fabrics, on the other hand, often look cheap no matter how you hang them.
To make a room look bigger, choose curtains in light, neutral colors like white, cream, beige, or soft pastels. Matching your curtains closely to your wall color prevents harsh visual breaks, allowing the eye to sweep across the space seamlessly and making the room feel more open.
Key Points. Large living rooms with high ceilings or privacy needs should use heavy curtains. Use light curtains to make a living room feel more spacious and welcome natural light. Balance the wrong curtain weight by layering panels and adjusting height, width, styling, or decor.