Decorating your windows with both blinds and curtains can give your home a finished, layered look. Combining these window treatments lets you regulate light and privacy while looking stylish. With forethought and ingenuity, you may uncover the right matches. Here, we are explaining the ten best ways to pair curtains and blinds together.
1. Choose Complementary Colors and Patterns
Selecting curtains and blinds in complementary hues or matching patterns is a foolproof way to make them work together seamlessly. For example, pair solid white blinds with blackout curtains in different shades of blue that pick up the colors in your rug or furnishings. Or opt for blinds and curtains in similar checked or striped fabrics for a coordinated look. Just be sure the scales of the patterns complement each other.
Also Read: Blackout Curtains vs Blinds
Layer Neutral Colors
- Pair white or beige blinds with sheer white or light-color linen curtains for a light, airy look.
- Try chocolate brown blinds with cream or tan patterned curtains for a warm, welcoming vibe.
- Go for dark charcoal blinds with light gray striped curtains for an understated masculine feel.
- Combine blackout shades in gray with solid white curtains for a bright, clean, modern aesthetic.
- For coastal decor, use natural woven blinds with off-white linen curtains.
- In kids’ rooms, do colorful patterned curtains with clean white blinds as a neutral base.
2. Mix textures thoughtfully
Consider pairing sleek metal or wood blinds with soft, flowing curtains in a lightweight fabric like linen or silk. The contrasting textures add visual interest. Or go for warm woven wood blinds and chunky, textured cotton curtains to create a casual, inviting vibe. Just avoid mixing more than three very different textures in one space.
3. Layer neutral colors
You can never go wrong pairing neutral-colored blinds and curtains. Shades like white, beige, gray, and cream always look classic and sophisticated together. Try combining whitewashed wood blinds with sheer white curtains, or do dark gray blinds with cream-striped curtains. The layered neutrals create a clean, elegant backdrop.
4. Incorporate one colorful element.
For a pop of color, keep one element neutral and make the other one bold. For example, tan linen curtains allow bright turquoise wooden blinds to stand out. Or opt for neutral white blinds and eye-catching mustard velvet curtains to make a statement. The neutral foundation prevents overkill.
5. Select the same length and width.
For the most seamless, polished effect, choose blinds and curtains that share the same length and width specifications. They should cover the window area equally. Curtains that stop abruptly halfway down the blinds will look choppy. But if the proportional dimensions match up, the pairing will appear intentional and well-designed.
Also Read: How to Select Blackout Curtains
6. Mind the hardware
Pay attention to the hanging rods, rings, pulls, and support hardware for both treatments. Try to match the finishes to pull the whole windowscape together. For a super cohesive look, you could even opt for curtains and blinds from the same collection so all hardware perfectly coordinates.
7. Align dominant lines
Consider how the architectural style of the windows aligns with the directional patterns in the curtains and blinds. For example, accentuate the clean horizontal lines of a large picture window with wide sheer curtains and match those with horizontal wood blinds. The uniformity creates a serene, orderly look.
8. Pair portable panels with adjustable shades.
For small, oddly shaped windows, portable curtain panels on tension rods can pair well with adjustable faux wood or vinyl shades. The flexibility allows you to tweak both until you find an optimal fit for awkward spaces. Go for solid colors and minimal embellishments to keep the look light.
9. Account for lighting needs
Factor in the lighting needs of the room when selecting fabrics for the curtains and blinds. For minimal light blockage, go for breezy sheer curtains with slatted vinyl blinds. For nighttime darkness, choose light-blocking motorized curtains and room-darkening roller shades. Get the right balance.
10. Hire a pro for tricky pairings.
Some window shapes and architectural features can make it hard to match blinds and curtains. Bay windows, corner windows, and palladian windows might need help from a professional. Talk to a skilled interior designer if you can’t quite picture the right combinations. Pros can figure out how to work in difficult areas.
Final Thoughts
It might seem hard to pair curtains and blinds together, but keep in mind the basics of design, like size, shape, color, texture, and balance. If you choose curtain patterns, fabrics, colors, and hardware that go well together, you’ll have a stunning window treatment display that adds style, warmth, and usefulness to your space. Have fun and be creative as you try different combos until you find the right one!