Every element of your home design and decor is an opportunity to express your style and bring something you truly love into your space, including something like your curtains - especially when it comes to the bedroom, the room we often hold back on when decorating in order to create a relaxing space. So if you’re after some stylish bedroom curtain ideas to elevate your sleep sanctuary, you’ve come to the right place.
From the practical to the aesthetically pleasing, these bedroom ideas will guide you when choosing curtains for your bedroom, covering everything from the colours and patterns to the materials, finishes and more. So without further ado, let’s get to it…
Bedroom curtain ideas
Before we dive into the more specific ideas, it’s worth pointing out some more general advice that should help you when shopping for bedroom curtains and choosing expensive-looking curtains on a budget.
‘Measure accurately – the last thing you want is to get your sizing wrong and end up with a huge gap which will let light filter in and disturb your sleep,’ says Chloe Dacosta, design manager at Curtains 2go.
The other important tip is to invest in good quality curtains as they will stand the test of time and make the room look more expensive. ‘If you can, I’d always recommend investing in the curtains you really want – they’re such a key part of the bedroom and are something you’ll use every day, so it’s key to pick a good quality material which will last,’ Chloe explains.
1. Opt for soft shades
When it comes to the best bedroom colour schemes, shades that are on the softer, muted side like neutrals, pastels or even earthy shades are always the most recommended. And this should extend to your choice of curtain colours.
‘Soft, muted tones such as sage green, dusty pink and neutrals like beige or grey are ideal choices for bedrooms because they promote a sense of calm and tranquillity,’ says Ana Zuravliova, trends specialist at Blinds Direct. ‘These tones are “sleep-friendly” and work well with natural light and artificial light to create a soothing, restful ambience that won’t overstimulate the senses when winding down at the end of the day. Colours that draw on nature can also help reduce stress and encourage more restorative sleep.’
2. Or go for dark, cocooning colours
If soft, light colour shades are not to your taste or don’t go with your bedroom colour palette, you can create a cocooning effect in your bedroom by going for darker curtain colours.
‘If you want to add a touch of luxury, deeper tones like navy, forest green, or charcoal can bring a cocooning, hotel-like feel to your space, especially when paired with plush fabrics,’ says Yvonne Keal, product expert at Hillarys.
Just make sure to steer clear of the more vibrant and stimulating colours like red or orange. ‘Avoid very bright or highly saturated colours. These colours tend to energise rather than soothe, so they can be counter-intuitive in a space designed for rest,’ Ana at Blinds Direct says.
3. Choose a velvet finish
If you’re not sure what curtain material to go for, then ordering fabric samples is always a good idea before making the investment and avoiding making any bedroom curtain mistakes. But one material you can hardly go wrong with is velvet.
‘Velvet remains a top choice for bedrooms, its dense material provides a luxurious full-bodied finish, and adds instant comfort and warmth,’ Ana at Blinds Direct says.
4. Install blackout curtains
If you’re wondering whether you need blackout curtains in your bedroom, most experts would strongly recommend investing in them, especially if you’re a light sleeper. And you don't have to pay a lot of money for them either – these Dunelm Luna brushed blackout pencil pleat curtains start at just £40.
‘Blackout curtains are easily one of the most popular styles for a bedroom, reducing light pollution and blocking sunlight to help you stay rested – they’re also great at helping to regulate the temperature in your room, keeping heat in during winter and out during summer,’ Chloe at Curtains 2go says.
5. Create an elevated look with pinch or pencil pleats
There are different ways to make your bedroom curtains look expensive – but one that’s often overlooked is the fitting and the finish. And yet going for a pinch or pencil pleat finish can transform the look of your bedroom in such a big way.
‘When it comes to bedroom curtains, I always recommend styles that beautifully blend function and elegance. Pinch pleat curtains are a classic favourite – they bring a tailored, sophisticated look that works in both traditional and modern spaces. Meanwhile pencil pleats offer a softer, relaxed vibe that’s perfect for creating a cosy retreat,’ Yvonne at Hillarys advises.
6. Incorporate classic stripes
Stripes are one of those timeless patterns that will never go out of style. And they’re everywhere right now – so much so, that they are becoming the new neutral. And if you want to inject some pattern into your bedroom and bring it through your curtain choice, why not go for a striped design like the John Lewis Conwy stripe curtains?
‘When it comes to patterns, subtlety is key for most bedrooms. Classic stripes can add just the right amount of interest without overwhelming the space,’ Yvonne at Hillarys says.
7. Embrace the cabincore aesthetic
The popular cabincore aesthetic has seen people embrace antique decor to evoke lovely feelings of nostalgia and sentimentality in their homes.
You can jump aboard this cosy trend by keeping your bedroom curtain ideas on the vintage side. Try looking for retro prints, such as the iconic William Morris motifs, also depicted above. Our current favourite are these Habitat x Morris & Co. curtains with the classic Strawberry Thief print.
8. Treat them as a window frame
If you really want to make a statement with your bedroom curtains, look for a pair with a pelmet to create a framing effect.
'Curtains are always in fashion in one form or another,' says interior designer Yvonne Jones, advising that curtains are the ideal window treatment idea for adding both warmth and sound insulation.
'I think living in a colder climate means we like to feel wrapped up and having curtains frames the view. They also create a different aesthetic, giving a bigger visual effect,' she says.
Alternatively, you can look for a pair with built-in ruffle at the top like the Harper curtains from Anthropologie.
9. Seek voiles for privacy without blocking out light
Bedrooms require privacy at all times, but where having heavy curtains drawn limits the light quality within the space voiles are the perfect solution. The lightweight window treatment restricts the view in but doesn't restrict the brightness, ideal for a small bedroom idea to invite an airy and open feel.
'Using voile curtains in combination with black-out roller blinds is a really effective way to gain a high level of control over lighting and privacy levels,' advises Hannah Cooley, product designer for Hillarys.
'Allowing for night time privacy and darkness that can easily be switched up to let sunlight through during the day.'
10. Introduce pattern to a plain room
Nothing adds drama to a plain bedroom better than a big, bold pattern. Tropical or botanical prints, similar to these curtains, are always popular for bedroom decor to add a touch of timeless appeal.
When opting for a colourful patterned curtain, keep the rest of the room simple to allow your curtains do all the talking.
11. Draw attention to a shapely bay window
When planning how to dress a bay window, make a feature with a combination of blinds to accentuate the shape of the bay and elegant drapes to highlight the height of the room.
Choosing a pattern helps to add interest, but keeping the pattern subtle helps to avoid overwhelming the room. Loosely matching the colour to the bedding creates a seamless look.
12. Choose a pattern that goes with the view
'Choose a fabric that enhances your view – life a leaf pattern,' suggests Yvonne. In this bedroom, the view of the garden has been framed with floral print curtains in neutral colours.
The curtains continue the botanical theme running through the rest of the room. The same pattern has even been used to create scatter cushions to tie them together with the vibrant green bed.
Add authentic botanical touches with a scattering of house plant ideas.
13. Hang lined curtains to reduce light leakages
When choosing what fabric to use, Victoria Walker, product manager at Hillarys, suggests thinking about the function, you want the curtains to perform in your bedroom.
'Voiles are sheer and translucent and a great way of letting the light in while still offering privacy, but black-out, lined curtains are a better choice for bedrooms.'
'I'd always line curtains though – unless they are voiles – as lining makes your curtains look fuller, helps reduce light leakages and provides extra privacy. Coloured lining is also available – think about grey or black facing out instead of white or ecru.'
14. Invest in linen curtains for a relaxed look
Medium-weight linen or a linen mix curtain are perfect for creating a relaxed look. The navy blue curtains here hang all the way to the floor and add another layer of texture in this modern bedroom.
However, they are quite sheer so it is worth investing in a blackout window blind idea to hang behind them, to make sure you still get that good night's sleep.
15. Opt for a thermal number
Keep the cold at bay (and your heating bills down) with a pair of thermal bedroom curtains, like these John Lewis textured weave blackout/thermal lined pencil pleat curtains, available in a myriad of different colours to match your bedroom colour scheme.
Next, too, has a 'gorgeous chic collection of super thermal matte velvet curtains to retain the heat,' according to their style experts.
'The heavyweight fabric drapes beautifully for a sophisticated look, while the sumptuous Super Thermal lining has a thick wadded layer to help keep heat in and the cold out,' they promise.
We feel cosy just thinking about it!
16. Hold curtains back with alternative tie-backs
'Avoid fabric-shaped tie-backs, which are old-fashioned, and choose woven leather, beaded or even tasselled ones instead,' says Yvonne.
Tie-backs are a great way to update existing curtains, swap your fabric tie for something more modern like a leather tie, rope ties or these tasseled ones.
17. Allow curtains to pool
If you have long windows in your room order curtains that are a little longer than the window so they puddle. This works best with lightweight linen curtains that you don't need to worry about creasing badly.
However, puddled velvet curtains can also look sumptuous when creating cosy bedroom. Just make sure you don't go overboard, and only add an inch or two of extra length – you don't want them to become a trip hazard.
18. Pair velvet curtains with a sheer voile
'I love well-made, hand-finished curtains hanging almost ceiling to floor, with a sheer voile,' says Victoria at Hillarys.
A sheer voile is the perfect solution to add some extra privacy to your bedroom if it overlooks the street, while still allowing light in. For a luxurious look, pair the delicate sheer voile with dark heavy velvet curtains.
19. Match your curtains to your walls
Should you match your bedroom curtains to the walls? The answer is yes. Make a bold statement by colour blocking in your bedroom and matching your curtain colour to your walls. The cobalt blue curtains wrap this entire blue bedroom idea in the vibrant blue hue.
When colour blocking, add variation by playing with different shades and textures in the same colour.
20. Match the curtains to the bedding
One of the most popular bedroom curtain ideas around, try matching your window dressing to your bedding.
Fair warning, though: this is a tricky one to get right, and works best in a clean and minimalist setting (things can feel cluttered fast if you go down the matchy-matchy route in a small, brightly coloured room).
Perhaps, then, this is why it's such a popular spare bedroom option.
FAQs
What should curtains match in a bedroom?
Your bedroom curtains should be part of the overall design, decorating and colour scheme of your bedroom rather than just an afterthought. So it should certainly match or reference something else in the room – but there are different ways you can go about doing this.
‘Curtains don’t need to match everything perfectly, but they should harmonise with your overall colour scheme,’ says Yvonne Keal, product expert at Hillarys. ‘Consider picking up tones from your bedding, cushions, or rug for a cohesive look. Alternatively, matching your curtains to your wall colour can create a seamless, sophisticated effect.’
Which curtain style is best for bedrooms?
Heavier, lined curtains that will minimise any light leaks will be the most natural fit for a bedroom.
That isn't to say you can't opt for a light linen curtain, of course; just bear in mind you will probably need to consider investing in a blind to hang underneath. The same goes for delicate voile curtains which are best paired with heavy velvet curtains.
If you are still choosing between blinds and curtains in your bedroom, it is important to note that while they can both look amazing, blinds aren't a good fit for all windows.
Should bedroom curtains be long or short?
This is all down to the size of your windows, and personal preference. The biggest benefit of long bedroom curtains that hang to the floor is insulation, so if you know your room can get particularly cold this might be something you want to bear in mind. You will also need to think about the shape of your windows and what will suit them.
In general, hanging curtains to the floor will always help a room look stylish and elegant. Puddle curtains can look lovely against a tall window. However, you will need to be careful with your fabric choice, and bear in mind how you are going to clean under them.
Have you been inspired by any of these bedroom curtain ideas?
