Top 20 Best Living Room Curtain Ideas (2024 Update)

Curtains. We see them in almost every house, we pull them closed and draw them open nearly every single day, and yet somehow they still seem to take a back-seat in our interior design process. ‘Invisible’ curtains can be a mark of seamless styling, a curtain pattern or colour that blends effortlessly with the decor of a room. This is what most of us opt for. But after all, any room with windows needs curtains, and that makes them an exciting opportunity to get creative and funky with our fabric choices.

When designing or renovating your lounge, don’t forget about your curtains. We’re going to go through 20 modern, fresh and classic living room curtain ideas to help inspire you, and draw your aesthetic all the way out to the windows.

Best Living Room Curtains

Our experts top living room curtain recommendations are:

1. Geometric Print
2. Peach Fuzz
3. Pleated Curtains
4. Modern Botanical Print
5. Sheer White
6. Statement Block Colour
7. Floor To Ceiling
8. Pattern With Sheer Underlay
9. Cool Blue
10. Forest Green
11. Royal Velvet
12. Patchwork
13. Chic Black & White
14. Curtain & Blind Combo
15. Earthy Neutrals
16. The Finer Details
17. Black With Light Trim
18. Nautical Print
19. Thermal Curtains
20. Beaded Curtains

Image Credit @ EmilyHomeDesign (Etsy)

1. Geometric Print

The hot new style for living room curtains in 2024? Geometric print is making a comeback. We’re not talking about tired old patterns we’ve seen time and again recycling multicoloured circles and odd shapes, now the focus is on triangles and sharp lines. Perhaps an ode to the futuristic times we live in, triangular geometry on curtains creates an edgy dynamic to your home that showcases an interior designer who’s not afraid to be playful and inventive. Don’t want to commit to an entire geometric pattern? You can still pick living room curtains with a geometric border to get the effect without dominating the space.

Image Credit @ Fletchers

2. Peach Fuzz

A lot of us didn’t even know this shade existed until Pantene chose it as its colour of the year for 2024. If a living room refresh has been long overdue but a lack of inspiration is getting in the way, make this year-defining colour your starting point. In the search for a peaceful space to relax, peach fuzz is a perfect shade to frame it, nestled between the warm coziness of orange, and the delicate softness of pink. Peach fuzz is a trending colour we’re sure to see a lot more of in 2024, so get in there quick and make a statement with your living room curtains.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

3. Pleated Curtains

Another trend we’re seeing for 2024 is the rise in interest for pleated curtains. Set folds in the curtain fabric can be achieved through pinch pleat or S-fold designs, and they make the fabric look more structured by creating a more rigid pattern. This works great for long curtains, as the streamlined, straight lines appear very sleek and pleasing to the eye. Especially with thicker fabrics, pleated designs help the curtains avoid looking bulky or too heavy for the windows or swamping the wall when pulled open.

Image Credit @ Madison Park

4. Modern Botanical Print

Think less grandma-style, and more cool, contemporary underground cocktail bar vibes. A funky floral print does not have to be old-fashioned, and the right one can make your living space seem uber-contemporary. The size of your pattern should somewhat be in ratio to the size of your living room - if you don’t have the largest space, don’t pick a huge print on your fabric. For a Phileas Fogg inspired, whimsical dreamland living room, modern botanical print is the way to go. But to avoid inklings of old-fashioned comments thrown your way, avoid adding too many more frilly details to the room.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

5. Sheer White

Sheer white is just as stylish and low-key for your living room as for bedroom curtains. They allow privacy and facilitate breeze when the windows are open without blocking off any light. Sheer curtains are especially great if your living room faces a road or other house, and they can either be used to create a luxe bohemian feel or a very minimalist and modern decor, depending on the rest of the furniture in the room. Use rugs and other draping materials to achieve the former, and harsh straight forms for the latter. Either way, sheer curtains will just make you want to curl up on the sofa for an afternoon siesta.

Image Credit @ Lush Decor

6. Statement Block Colour

As we mentioned in the introduction, curtains are an oft-missed opportunity to enhance a living room by making it really stand out with a bold design choice. We all know that colours can dramatically alter the mood of a room, and the obvious choice for this is wallpaper - but curtains also take up a lot of visual space and can be used to compliment or contrast what’s on the walls. Inject light and sunshine with a bold yellow fabric, or go for a more mustard tone for a hint of 70s nostalgia. Red curtains will turn your living room into a dramatic focal point, orange will burst out playfulness, whilst rich, royal blue curtains will display refined, paired-back sensibilities.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

7. Floor To Ceiling

If your living room suffers from a slightly lower ceiling, or your windows don’t reach quite as high as you’d want them to, getting your curtain material to go above them and reach right to the top of the wall is a great, nifty trick to elevate the eye and create the impression of a larger space. Drape them all the way down to the floor, and you’ll be left with an expensive-looking design that opens up your space. On the other hand, this isn’t the best choice if you already have high ceilings, as you may create the effect of having your living room end up feeling cold and uninviting. But head to number 10 for an idea that’s perfect for you.

Image Credit @ Spiffy Spools

8. Pattern With Sheer Underlay

Sometimes we pick patterns for our curtains that look great in-store or online, but when they’re delivered to our house and hung up in our living room, they somehow look more dull, and the intricate designs just don’t pop how we’d hoped they would. The problem can often be as simple as lighting, especially in naturally darker rooms or fabrics with darker prints. To fix this, add a sheer curtain nearest the window to use as a frame. The outlines of your patterns will show up better and you’ll be better able to control your light.The friendly team here at Quickfit will be happy to help assist on whether your pattern choice would look best with a sheer underlay.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

9. Cool Blue

Many of us want our living spaces to be rooms where we feel we can truly relax, whether after a long day’s work, or during a well-earned, peaceful weekend. Gentle shades of blue are well-known for instilling feelings of relaxation, so why not keep things simple and opt for this choice for your curtain colour? Keep the palette light and dull so as not to accidentally veer into overly bright, juvenile shades. Blue is a brilliant complimentary colour that you can layer up with other blue aspects in your living room, or pair with shades of white and woody brown.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

10. Forest Green

Continuing with the planet’s efforts to commit to a more sustainable, peaceful future, green keeps its seat another year running as one of the top trending colours for 2024. Bring a touch of the outside in with a classy forest green shade, that provides a calm chic for your living room. You could stick to a block colour or incorporate a small delicate pattern - gentle shades of white work well. Richer green shades are great for naturally high-ceilings, as you’ll accentuate the effect of feeling more in nature, surrounded by the illusion of tall trees.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

11. Royal Velvet

If you really want to up the stakes, maximise the drama, and bring the luxury, plush velvet curtains will give your living room an undeniably upper class feel, and spotlight just how much a humble window covering can completely change a living room vibe. Darker colours such as deep blues, reds, purples and greens are popular choices for this fabric, and you don’t need to add a pattern as the texture does all the talking for you. Lighter shades of pink and blue will make your living room seem more fun and youthful-spirited.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

12. Patchwork

For living room curtains that are really fun and playful, why not DIY them? You can check out our guides for measuring and installing curtains if you need a hand, but constructing the raw materials could be a great family activity, or a satisfying solo project. You could recycle scraps of denim for an urban look, or take quilt cuttings for something more floral and feminine. Although not for everyone, patchwork curtains are sure to stand out from what you see in any other living room.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

13. Chic Black & White

There are so many ways to go with black and white curtains for your living room, and they’re all far from boring. You could try an intriguing geometric print for a clean, neo-futuristic feel, bohemian zigzags or thick stripes for a 1920s art deco or 60s mod print nod, or a thick blackout vibe with white detailing. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel for this style - black and white curtains have been a timeless design for so long for a reason.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

14. Curtain & Blind Combo

Who said curtains had to exist on their own? Many of us may think we have to choose between curtains or blinds, but the truth is that you can have both. Done well, the result is far from clunky and creates a sophisticated look. The key is to ensure that neither of your materials are too dense or heavy, or you will end up swamping the windows. Sheer or relatively fine fabrics are best for the curtains, and a light-stained wood or fuss-free blind would pair well with it. You’ll have greater control on the light you’re letting into the living room without making it look closed off and unfriendly.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

15. Finer Details

Perhaps you’re dead against going for a patterned curtain, but you’ve chosen your colour and your window coverings seem to be falling a little flat. You can still add some dimension and personality to your living room curtains by adding in some small, finishing details, like a fringe trim, rope tie backs or a grand rod and hook design that lifts the eye upwards. This will give your room a decidedly older-fashion style, so be careful you don’t veer too far into ‘Victorian hotel’ with your other furnishings.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

16. Earthy Neutrals

Sometimes the best way to relax and unwind can be to connect back to Mother Earth. Neutral colours and curtain fabrics such as linen will help you achieve this. Think soft linen in off-white, grey, cream, beige and muddy green tones. You could couple them with wooden Venetian blinds to achieve the double style we talked about earlier. Keeping it light, airy and natural will have you feeling like you’re stepping into a spa retreat every time you step into your very own living room.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

17. Black With Trim

For a style that is classic, bold and simple, black stands the test of time - whether in fashion or home decor. Black curtains can be a practical choice too if your living room lets in a lot of light, and can be a better colour for trapping heat in during the colder months. The risk of black curtains is that you may accidentally design a living room that is a bit too goth or enclosed for your liking. To avoid falling into this trap, you can pick a design with a lighter colour on the trim, a few inches of a cream or off-white fabric up from the floor will make all the difference and make your curtains more refined and thought-out.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

18. Nautical Print

If you live near the coast, or you’re decorating a beach house or seaside bolthole, your living room curtains are a great part of the interior to have some fun with. Nautical look curtains with blue and white horizontal stripes, or a sailing boat or seashell print are cute additions to the overall holiday feel. Curtains don’t always need to be serious, and whether it’s for the enjoyment of you or for guests, the attention to detail is sure to bring a smile to the face of the person who draws the curtains open and shut.

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

19. Thermal Curtains

Keeping your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter is expensive. Especially in older homes without double glazing, or where there may be small cracks and gaps around the windows, our living rooms can be difficult places in the house to maintain a stable temperature. Thermal curtains are made from fabrics that reduce heat transfer, for example through a foam coating or triple weave using tightly woven yarn. They’re normally quite simple in design, but still offer an elegant, classy look to your living room - and will help cut down those soaring energy bill costs!

Image Credit @ Quickfit Blinds & Curtains

20. Beaded Curtains

Remember those magical gemstone stores from the nineties and noughties? Beaded curtains have certainly had their hey-day in terms of mainstream popularity, but they shouldn’t be forgotten altogether. If you have a light-filled room, or glass roof somewhere in your house, such as a conservatory or plant-filled alcove, partitioning it off from the more formal parts of your living room with a delicate beaded curtain will help add to the zen feeling. They can be mismatched colourful and fun, or simple and plain with uniform black or cream beads for a more sophisticated style.

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The Final Word

Bet you never knew there were so many ways to style your living room curtains! Well, here are just 20 ideas to get you started thinking about which direction you want to go for your window covering decor. Blinds, curtains, both, dark, bright, blends… curtains are so much more than fabrics to make your living room dark or light, and we hope this blog has inspired you to get a little creative when it comes to choosing your next ones.

If you’re ready to order your custom made curtains, our simple process will have them on your doorstep in 10 days. And if you’re not sure what’s right for you, get in contact with one of our representatives, who can talk you through the process and get you ‘on track’.