Rashad Will DDS
From adding color and texture, to evoking a sense of warmth and personality, the right design can pull together an entire interior scheme. Introduce natural materials such as wood and linen; the varying textures will create a rustic aesthetic, which will combine with the quiet colors for an air of familiarity and serenity,’ says Simon Temprell, interior design manager, Neptune (opens in new tab).
'Functional, beautiful, and effective for many different needs, farmhouse and cottage curtain ideas remain a timeless choice,' explains experts from Stoneside Blinds and Shades.
However, choosing the right farmhouse curtain ideas is far from straightforward, there are several distinct elements that must all work in harmony in order to produce the perfect piece. 'When choosing drapery, consider the color and texture of the fabric, the lining for light-blocking and climate control, the pleat style, and the many finish options for hardware like rods and hooks.' When adding curtains to your farmhouse decor ideas, the first, and most important step, is to establish the size and length you desire.
Simply measure the width of the track or pole from end to end and then measure the drop which is from the bottom of the pole or track to where you would like the curtain to finish,’ says Tori Murphy (opens in new tab)designer and founder of the eponymous design brand. Traditionally found in grand period properties, pelmets are seeing a resurgence in modern farmhouse living room ideas.
‘You should always consider a pelmet, as they offer an extra level of detail to your window dressing while providing a practical way to hide unsightly curtain poles and fixtures. The decorative boards are often upholstered and are fixed to the top of the window, giving a seamless and clean look,’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs (opens in new tab). ‘If you have a neutral living room, for example, you can bring color, personality, and charm to the space and your window dressings with a pelmet in a shapely design or bold, patterned fabric with an interesting trim. Curtains are favored for their beautiful aesthetic and insulating properties, while blinds provide controllable levels of privacy and light.
A bold trim can also help frame a window (when the curtains are open), and draw the eyes to the view outside. You can also use it to elevate relatively uneventful or inexpensive curtains – a high-quality, distinctive trim can dignify and add real structure. ‘Heavily interlined curtains give a luxurious finish, which not only allows the fabric to drape beautifully and will look wonderful for many years to come.
The farmhouse decor ideas you opt for should take into account the assets of the property, and if the view from the window is fabulous, use curtains that frame the outlook as seen in this beautiful room by Indianapolis-based designer Whittney Parkinson.
Opting for a simple neutral fabric, meanwhile, fits the fuss-free nature of modern farmhouse style, and keeps the focus on the outside. If you want to boost the luxe of the window treatment, let them break on the floor whether they’re hung in a bedroom, living space, or farmhouse dining room.
Ideal for spaces with large windows, curtains will frame the view while also introducing soft textiles to balance the harder surfaces that are inherent to a bathroom. Not only is it fast drying (essential in the moist bathroom environment) but it is also naturally anti-bacterial, quick-drying, and mold-resistant.
The sheer linen curtains will still allow light through to keep the space daylight filled while preventing glare and helping protect furnishings from the sun.
Hues repeated from nature are great choices whether as country curtain ideas or to bring that ambiance to city homes.
Here, the pink of the bedroom curtains echoes the shade of the bedlinen, and it is set against a white wall and wood flooring for a fresh effect. ‘With a client’s desire to have an elevated farmhouse interior, we chose a great, lightweight but textural oatmeal linen to complement her space against the crisp white walls,’ she says.
In this scheme by Creative Tonic (opens in new tab) each rod is aligned with the one above the room’s tallest window. Farmhouse curtain ideas can be employed to dress even dramatically large windows like the double-height version in this living space, and the treatment accentuates its grand proportions. One way to do so is to opt for a leading-edge – a border for the middle of the curtains, as in this room by Creative Tonic (opens in new tab). ‘They provide a little privacy and light blocking, but will still allow you to see and appreciate the original wood window trim and turn of the century leaded glass panel imported from Switzerland.’
One of our favorite farmhouse curtain ideas that are wonderfully simple yet adds a decorative surprise is to line them with a second fabric. It’s an ideal strategy for curtains that are required to maximize privacy – perhaps in bedrooms or living spaces that are overlooked.
Farmhouse-style curtains are often simple in style, showcasing the wonderful drape of the natural materials from which they are frequently made. However, patterned fabrics can also complement farmhouse-style homes, adding elegant detail to a room scheme. Patterned fabrics aren’t off the agenda with their shades echoed in other soft furnishings, artwork, or decorative accessories.
