Choosing The Right Colour

Choosing the right colour for your curtains is probably the hardest decision to make when placing your order, especially with so many shades to choose from. The good news is you don't need an eye for design or any in-depth knowledge about colour matching to make the right choice!

Just like choosing your curtain track, the most important thing to consider is the overall feel or aesthetic you hope to achieve in the room. If you're after a contemporary, minimalist style then we recommend opting for a colour similar to the walls in the room. In this case it's a good idea to make the curtains a few shades darker than the walls - this will help create contrast and definition. However, if you want the curtains to play a big part in determining the feel of the room then its important to consider what mood each colour evokes - for example, colours such as red, yellow and orange are warm and inviting which can be a great choice in rooms where you might host guests. As a general rule, lighter colours are more soothing while darker colours are more stimulating.

Of course, unless you're starting from scratch, the existing interior design in your home will heavily influence your colour choices. But it's still important to have a clear idea of the look you're after.

If your room mostly has a neutral palette then adding a splash of colour through the curtains can add a lot of character to your room. On the other hand, if your room already has a stand-out feature - whether through the furniture or even the wallpaper - then we'd recommend opting for curtains in neutral or earthy tones so as not to distract from the main attraction. In the same vein, if you have a particularly noteworthy view then we'd suggest a subtle, light curtain that seamlessly blends into the background that complements rather than detracts from the spectacle. If you have an accent colour in the room then it's also a great idea to match the curtains to it to create a balanced, neat finish. Accent colours can often come from a rug, room trim or furniture, as long as it's going to be a permanent feature in the room.

Lastly, consider the space the curtains are going in. Is the curtain going in a bedroom? Darker hues are relaxing and intensify the blockout quality of the curtain - great for anyone who loves a sleep in! Does the room have tall windows that dominate the space? If so, a curtain that is slightly lighter than the main furniture, such as the couch, will help prevent the curtains from being a distraction.

BOOK A DESIGN SESSION

Some things to keep in mind

• Bursts of colour - while they bring fun and character to a room, they're not always the best idea in a bedroom. Opt instead for cool colours like a subtle green or blue which have a calming affect compared to a distracting splash of colour that might keep you up all night.
• Lighter colours - create a softer, more elegant look and can be a great way to make a space feel bigger and brighter. Lighter colours are therefore great in living spaces if you're after a spacious, bright look or even in a smaller room that you want to feel bigger. Keep in mind though that it will of course show stains and dust more easily.
• Darker colours - are commonly associated with sophistication and luxury. They are often also an excellent way to add contrast and depth in a room, but of course just as lighter colours make a space bigger, darker shades can make a room feel slightly smaller. It's also important to note that if regularly exposed to direct sunlight they might fade slightly over time.
• Light filtration - with sheer curtains, the colour fabric you choose will influence the colour of the light filtering into the room. This will of course also have a notable impact on the mood and feel of the room.
• Matching curtains? - if your interior décor is relatively streamlined throughout your home then it can be a good idea for your curtains to all be the same colour. If each room has a unique design and feel however, then it's also fine to have different curtains in each room to match the respective decors.

Looking for a more scientific approach?

If you're after a bit more specificity or some rules to follow regarding which colours will suit your room best, then using a colour wheel is always a great option. You'll need to identify the main colour in the room before you can apply the colour wheel.

Analogous Colour Scheme: Neighboring colours on the wheel pair well together as they share the same base colour. Two or three of these colours should be used together to create a nice contrast. It also means that you can confidently choose two to three colours to style your room with.

Complementary Colour Scheme: Complementary colours can be found on opposite sides of the wheel and balance each other well but create a high-contrast look. It's best to have one colour more dominant than the other, or else have both colours serving as accents in a neutral room.

Monochromatic Colour Scheme: Alternatively, a monochromatic scheme can be a simple option if your room is mostly different shades of the same colour. Your curtains should likewise be a shade of this colour.

In Summary

• First decide on the feel and look you want to achieve
• If the curtains are to be a standout feature make sure they are a contrasting colour compared to the colour scheme of the room
• For curtains that disappear seamlessly into the background and produce a modern look, opt for a neutral tone similar to the wall colour
• Consider the space the curtain is going in and how different colours can promote its purpose
• Cooler colours are soothing while warm colours are more exciting and stimulating