Updated: August 7, 2026
Bored with your living room? Does your bedroom need a refresh? Living in a rental and desperate for a new look? If you want to make some changes to your home for the new year but have limited time and budget, we have the solution: new curtains—or drapes, for our Stateside friends. Nothing brings a room together quite like curtains. They set the tone of an interior, whether you want cosy or elegant. They can make a statement or blend seamlessly into the background. Here is how to choose the right ones and breathe new life into your interior.
1. Colour And Pattern
Consider whether you want to completely remodel your room or simply introduce a fresh feel to what you already have. If you are working with existing wall colours and furniture, you can either match your drapes to an element already in the room or add contrast with an entirely new colour or pattern. You might pick out a colour in a rug or add a punch of yellow against grey walls. You can tone down a busy wall pattern with plain curtains or go all-out and add a contrasting pattern. For a completely new look, make the curtains the starting point for your interior colour scheme and build the design around them.
Your choices do not stop there: you can combine drapes with blinds and contrast colours and patterns or choose complementary window dressings. On large windows you can hang two or three different curtains in contrasting patterns—one plain and one patterned on each side can look stunning.
Factor in possible fading from sunlight when choosing curtain colour, as some fabrics may fade substantially. A neutral palette may work better if you are concerned about sun damage.
2. Position And Length
It is vital to choose drapes that are in proportion with the room. Long curtains on very small windows can look strange, but if you want to add height you can hang curtains above the top of the window. Decide whether you want the fabric to skim the floor for a contemporary look or finish in a “puddle” for a more traditional, elegant effect.
You do not have to dress every window. A room can feel beautifully light and airy with some windows left bare and a larger window dressed with a lightweight curtain.
3. Weight And Thickness
To choose the perfect curtains, consider the function of the space. In a bedroom, thicker drapes help keep out light at night and retain warmth. If you choose lightweight curtains, combine them with a blind for extra light control and insulation. This allows you to adjust the layers with the seasons.
Bathroom curtains should provide privacy but often work best in a lighter fabric. Delicate embroidered linen looks beautiful and allows daylight to filter through.
In a living room you can play with texture and weight and combine blinds with drapes for flexibility. These are probably the curtains visitors will see most, so choose carefully and you can add real impact for little expense or disruption.
Kitchen drapes need to withstand steam and heat, so avoid silk. Linen is an excellent choice and can be machine washed to remove cooking smells or stains. Linen curtains combined with a matching tablecloth or tea towels create a warm rustic look.
4. Finishes And Headings
The heading and finish contribute to the overall effect. For an elegant style choose pinch or pencil pleats; for a sleek finish choose eyelets. Rod-pocket headings are fuss-free and suit minimalist interiors. Tie tops feel charmingly informal and work especially well in kitchens and bathrooms.
A pelmet or valance can add texture and interest—choose a contrasting colour or match the curtains according to the look you want. You can also add a border along the bottom or side in a slightly different shade. Tie-backs are timeless and can dress up simple curtains or create interest by gathering the curtain in the middle of the window.
There you have it: everything you need to refresh a room and create a new look simply by choosing the right drapes. Explore our range of linen curtains to bring more LinenMe beauty into your home.