How To Make Curtains The Focus Of Your Decor, According To A Design Expert

Interior design is all about paying attention to the details. These small elements may not seem important when choosing larger features like furniture or wall color, but together, they work to create a cohesive design. Even seemingly unimportant details like curtains can really matter when designing a room because they offer functionality as well as the opportunity to improve your aesthetic. Curtains increase the privacy of your home, preventing passersby from seeing inside, and they reduce how much dust comes inside when opening windows, notes Wall Hub. They're also great for keeping out the sunlight when you're trying to sleep in on a Saturday morning.

Utility aside, curtains are a way to cement a room's interior design. Since they can be quite inexpensive, investing in a quality set can allow you to decorate your home on a budget. According to interior designer Stacy Garcia, curtains can be a focal point in your home, especially if you have beautiful windows. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, she shares tips on how you can design your curtains like a professional.

It might be tempting to buy the first curtains that will do the job, but experts like Stacy Garcia suggest taking a pause to consider some factors. "When choosing curtains, keep in mind the height that you want, the length of the curtain, the layering of textures, and the patterns and colors," says the designer. "Layer the window so that outer drapes have textural shades. For example, we suggest a flat roman over natural woven shade depending on the look you are going for in the room." Layering creates a visually interesting design, and many experts swear by the technique.

When it comes to layering, you have plenty of options to create the look you're after. "You can add a neutral sheer in between your decorative curtain panels," Garcia says. "This allows for some privacy when the curtains are open but still lets sunlight in. Remember that denser fabrics will provide more privacy but tend to feel a bit more formal." Materials like velvet and damask can offer a luxurious vibe, while thinner options like silk and linen feel airier. Putting them together creates interesting textures.

To make curtains a focal point, you may want to shy away from neutrals. "Fabric is always a great way to add some life back into your space. If you want the window to be the hero of the room, don't be afraid to go bold with pattern and color," notes Stacy Garcia. You can tie the color of the curtains to the shades in the rest of the room. This could be an accent color from the palette that matches other small details in the room, such as hues in an area rug or in artwork and décor pieces around the space.

Perhaps you want to draw attention to the windows. "If the goal is to have the window treatments stand out," Garcia says, "you can tone down the other elements of the room by choosing fabrics, patterns, and finishes that complement but [don't] overwhelm. Use color placement and placement of objects to lead your eyes to the window." You don't have to keep the rest of the room neutral in order to make the curtains the focus. Consider where you situate furniture, for instance, by creating a vignette with accent chairs or arranging your sofa to face the windows.

Making curtains a focal point requires a few technical details. "You want the width of the curtain rod to extend past either side of the window," Stacy Garcia explains. "This allows for more light to come in through the window when the curtains are pulled back. The combined width of each curtain panel should be at least two times the width of the windows so that they don't appear flat when closed." The folds created when the curtains are moved to the side will increase the texture around the space.

When hanging the curtain rod, the height of the wall also makes a major difference. "Make sure the curtain rod is placed at least halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling," advises Garcia. "In order to make the room feel taller, you can place the curtain rod 2 to 3 inches from the ceiling." This draws the eye upwards, helping to create an open and airy space.