When it comes to interior design, how you dress your windows can dramatically alter the look and feel of your home. Blinds and curtains are more than just functional, they inject personality, texture, and soft lighting into your living spaces.
If you’re looking for ways to revamp your home without breaking the bank, dressing your windows could be an affordable way to do so. This article explores five interior design hacks that can help you make the most of your windows and spruce up your home in a jiffy.
1. Think about cohesion
When you are designing your living space, it’s essential to consider how everything flows. Ideally, the decor you choose should help the eye move fluidly around the space without the furnishings or colour combinations competing for attention. Avoid overdoing it by keeping statement pieces to a minimum and playing with either tones or patterns. For example, if you want to incorporate clashing patterns into your space, try to keep to one colour palette to avoid jarring the eye as it travels around the room.
Another way to create flow in your room is by choosing a colour palette of one or two colours and using this colour palette in a variety of fabrics around the room. It creates a stimulating space that is still cohesive. The materials you choose will have a huge influence on the overall feel of the room. Silks and velvets will create a luxurious feel, while linens and cotton will create a light, clean vibe. The windows in your room will play a big hand in the overall ambience, so consider your blinds and curtains options carefully.
2. Layer up your curtains and blinds
One of the easiest ways to create texture and earn some style brownie points is by adding layers to your window dressings. By playing with patterns, textures, and colour you can transform a boring room into something exciting that reflects your personality. Start off by deciding what feel you want the room to have, then look for options to layer different fabrics, colour palettes, and patterns.
For example, if you want to convert your bedroom into a little slice of heaven you might want to avoid vibrant patterns and opt for muted colours. Muted colours don’t have to be dull, try adding unusual textures and interesting colour combinations to create a relaxing, but totally unique space. This superb blind and curtain combination from Blinds Central Coast NSW is an example of layering perfection. They mix contemporary, muted clours with interesting patterns and textures to create a sumptuous look that truly transforms the space.
For most of us, creating the illusion that our living spaces are bigger and brighter is a top priority. Layering curtains over blinds can actually help to achieve this effect. Interior designers often create the illusion of bigger rooms with higher ceilings using clever layering techniques and placing the curtain pole a few inches higher to draw the eye up. If you have a dark space, layering Muslim fabric over your wooden blind can brighten up the space and let more light in.
Layering is a great way to play around with your living space to see what works and what doesn’t. Just remember that great interior design is functional as well as visually appealing. Choosing ornate sheer, silk curtains may look great in your bedroom, but are they practical if you’re a light sleeper? Or would blackout blinds under some delicate curtains work better for your lifestyle? The same goes for your kitchen and bathroom windows, opt for wipe-clean options rather than beautiful fabrics. Work with your space, figure out the practical requirements and then get creative.
3. Make a statement with some finishing touches
Never underestimate the power of some well-placed accessories when it comes to interior design. Adding a few statement accessories to your windows is a quick and affordable way to revamp your room. Why not add some curtain tiebacks or a statement curtain pole to elevate your windows?
Tiebacks are an excellent, inexpensive choice. They’re quick to install and practical to boot. If you’re stuck for inspiration, think about the overall effect you’re going for. To perk up a drab room, use tiebacks to inject a colour pop in a contrasting colour to your curtains and blinds. If you want your room to feel more luxurious, adorn your curtains with some tassel tiebacks or even some bejewelled holdbacks. Be creative and looks for unexpected objects such as vintage spoons, DIY macrame, or costume jewellery to use as tiebacks or simply to add a decorative touch.
Curtain poles can also become a star attraction in your living space. If you think of your windows as the centrepiece of a room, then the curtain pole is the stage that frames them. A simple way to overhaul a room on a budget is to invest in a statement curtain pole. Go for a curtain pole that ties in with the decor, the furniture and textiles in the room, and the size of the window. Play with size and placement, using a larger, more ornate curtain pole to enhance the size of a window. If you want to get creative and really tie everything together, look for finials (the knobs on either side of your curtain pole) made from quirky materials. You can find finials in every size, shape, and material these days, making it easy to create something truly bespoke on a shoestring budget. If you want to really kick it up a notch, pair some funky curtain rings in a contrasting colour with your curtain pole and curtains.
4. Play with colour contrast
As we have already seen, layering different textures, patterns, and colours will really make your windows pop. That’s not the only way to use contrast to create a truly special room. Why not take your layering to the next level by adding a contrasting colour to the lining of your curtains. For example, adding a vibrant lime green lining to your muted grey curtains will add a pop of surprise and delight every time you tie your curtains back. If you’re not a fan of bright colours, you could experiment with a curtain pelmet in a contrasting colour.
This colour pop in a different texture is a superb example of how contrast can make a room more stimulating.
Key Takeaways
How you dress your windows can totally transform a room. If you want to spice up your living space but you’re not feeling inspired, think about the colours and textures you’re drawn to. Is there a particular piece of furniture that you want to highlight? Another big factor when choosing your window dressings is the room itself. Do you want to make your window look larger? If so, light colours paired with a high curtain pole could open up your space. If you want to create a luxurious feel, think about fabrics that drape, statement accessories, and rich colours. Your windows are more than just practical, they dictate how much light you have, how much privacy you have, and where the eye is drawn to as you enter the room. The right blinds and curtains can help you create the perfect environment for your home.
