Curtains sporting yellow and grey, blue and green, or pink and peach can easily make their home in a living room with white walls.
So, are there any set rules on whether your curtains should be lighter or darker than the walls? Ultimately, experts agree that your curtains can be whatever color you want them to be, it completely depends on the style, mood and function of the room you're decorating.
With white as your base, adding neutral colours and tones to your home can create a more put-together, layered look. For example, shades of brown and light grey, green, or blue can play together to create a tranquil feel, whilst using black objects strategically can give the room an added edge.
There aren't any hard and fast rules when it comes to matching your curtains match with your wall color, and really you are free to pick any color combination you choose, but there are some considerations that will help you land at the perfect pairing of paint idea and curtain color.
Beige walls with light blue curtains evoke a calming and coastal ambiance. This combination works well for a beach-inspired or traditional interior design. White walls with grey curtains create a clean and contemporary look. This combination is perfect for minimalistic or Scandinavian interior design styles.
Look to Your Wall Color
When the time comes to search for some curtains, look at your wall paint. "For a modern home, I like to choose the color of the drapery fabric to be either a step darker or lighter than the wall paint," Dallas notes.
White's Complementary Color
White is not strictly a color, so it doesn't sit opposite a color on the spectrum. Its non-color opposite is black. When paired together, black and white create a high-contrast, striking result.
A white bedroom color scheme doesn't have to mean all-white everything. Start with a base of white walls and bedding, then introduce color through a handful of accent pieces throughout the space. A couple of bright throw pillows or a patterned area rug can help break up the white without overpowering the room.
Dark coloured curtains work very well in spacious interiors or high-ceilinged rooms to visually shrink the space and give it a cozier vibe. Use them to anchor the space without overwhelming the setting; repeat the colour of the curtains somewhere else in the room so they don't look out of place.
Go with lighter curtains
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. You want your curtains to help spread light in your room while adding privacy.
Making Your Room Look Larger or Smaller with Curtains
High-hanging curtains with long vertical stripes create the illusion of height, which is excellent for low ceilings. However, short curtains and horizontal stripes shorten your wall height and make the room appear smaller.
Whether you choose a deep navy or a bright turquoise, blue is a versatile color that can complement a white room in many different ways. Yellow is a sunny and cheerful color that can brighten up any white room. Use it as a statement piece, such as a yellow sofa, to create a focal point in the room.
Sure, white goes with everything, but there's something especially sophisticated about a nice gray paired with a crisp white as showcased in this serene bedroom. We suggest adding a little texture to a gray-and-white space with Turkish towels.
Consider undertones.
If your walls have warmer undertones—think pale yellow—go for an ivory tone, notes Jones. And if you see cooler tones? She suggests opting for a soft gray or bright white.
Red and orange seem to be the clear winner when it comes to eye-catching colors. These colors tend to stand out and are therefore used on many warning signs or safety equipment. Yellow is another color that comes in a close second to red and orange in popularity.
Grey and white offers plenty of options: you could go monochrome or pair with a standout accent to really pop; you could select icy cool or warm shades in soothing pales or cocooning darks; you could layer relaxing tonals or heighten the drama with deeply contrasting duos...
Like this kitchen from sweetjamhomedesign shows, beige is a great color to pair with white because it keeps the space neutral but still adds a little cozy warmth. Pair warm beiges with off-whites or find a cool beige or greige to play well with a cool, icy white.
Naturally, white is an obvious choice for making a room feel bigger. It's no secret that light colors make a room look larger, especially if the space is bathed in natural light. Eggshell or satin finishes will help reflect the light, creating the appearance of even more space.
The color of the walls or ceiling
The color you decide to put on your walls is also important when choosing curtains. For example, if a living room has a lot of beige walls and dark blue furniture, choosing drapes in shades of orange like marigold, honey, or bronze can help make the room look more balanced.
White is the most popular curtain color.
Neutral curtains in tones such as beige, taupe and gray, as well as white and nearby shades such as ivory and cream can be the go-with-everything choice.