Our Interior Designer's Curtain Trends For 2024 Will Delight Eco-Minded Buyers
Window treatments from blinds to shades to curtains are often the finishing touch for a room. Window treatments offer privacy and light control. Curtains provide an extra layer of warmth for houses in colder climates, reducing drafts, and shielding the room from cold windowpanes. Aside from the practical, framing your windows with curtains gives an additional layer of color and texture to your interior, a finishing touch to your walls that can draw a room together visually.
Speaking of layers, upcoming trends in curtains for 2024 include tonal curtains that hang in blocks of color, a light shade on top, and a darker shade on the bottom. Then there's a mix-and-match approach, pairing curtains with Roman blinds for a look that's elegant yet practical. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, NYC-based interior designer Artem Kropovinsky indicates that for 2024 the hottest trend will be curtains made from eco-friendly fabrics such as hemp and organic cotton in earth tone shades from terra cotta to saturated greens.
Magical earth tones
Kropovinsky is the founder and lead designer of Arsight, an Interior Design Studio. In addition to more nature-based colors, he indicated that traditional pinch pleat curtains (pleated to form vertical folds in the fabric) will "merge with modern, hidden tracks for a clean, updated look." This is similar to pairing curtains with Roman blinds or shades. In his blog he mentions a recently finished project, a Tribeca apartment warmed by natural materials and shades of sand, clay, wood, and stone. In his blog, Kropovinsky mentions how the project showcases "the magic of earthy shades."
Speaking with House Digest, Kropovinsky suggests matching curtains to the room's natural light. If your room is small and bright, a light fabric is best. Save heavier textures for larger spaces. In the same vein, choose colors for your curtains that add a natural touch and bring warmth into the room. In the example of the Tribeca apartment, the tall draping curtains in light shale offset and complement the coppery tones in the artwork and wood shelves. The smooth texture of these drapes compliments the area rug that mimics sand ridges and the faux-stone fireplace. Note how the entire room feels organic and lively due to the colors and textures. Note too how one curtain rod conveys the fabric over both windows, creating that clean line Kropovinsky mentions.
Eco-friendly materials
Kropovinsky also predicted which trend will be the most timeless: His answer is sustainable materials. "Eco-friendly choices will stay relevant and stylish," he says. Eco-friendly materials have already made an impact this year. In general, the term refers to renewable and biodegradable materials including fabric made from plants (hemp, bamboo, and flax for linen) that don't need pesticides. It also includes natural, processed fibers like wool and silk. A bit of research is necessary if you're committing to such fabrics. Some people also consider cotton sustainable and renewable, even recyclable. However, there's a debate regarding organic cotton, which needs no pesticides but may or may not need more water to grow.
Once you find the material you want for your interiors, Kropovinsky says to be aware of the way your window treatment blends in with the rest of your room. Aim for "harmony, not uniformity," he says, and adds "Don't overmatch." He also suggests keeping an eye on the length of the curtains since fabric framing the windows that are too long or too short can disrupt the room's feel.