Unsellable Houses' Leslie Davis Warns To Avoid This Easy-To-Make Curtain Mistake
In interior design, the smallest details make a difference. It's not only about matching color and texture; it's also about showing off your home's best assets. What may seem like an inconsequential decision can actually bring the entire design down. This was the case for a home Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb worked on in Season 4 of HGTV's "Unsellable Houses." In Episode 9, their client had large, triple-paned windows in the living room, but the space still felt drab and dark — all because they chose curtains that minimized what should have been a highlighted feature.
"With the heavy drapery, I don't notice the windows," Davis notes. "I wonder how many buyers didn't see that value?" Windows are often one of the selling points of a home, and one that many people consider when picking their next living space. However, you don't have to be planning a sale to heed Davis' advice: Don't cover your beautiful windows with heavy fabric.
Heavy drapery blocks out natural light, especially when closed, which can make a room look cave-like. Even when the drapes are open, the material can still block out light, and it can appear visually heavy and weigh down the room. Instead, swap them with sheer curtains, as Davis and Lamb did for their clients. The flowy material will accommodate plenty of natural light and allow you to see outside while still offering some privacy when closed, creating an appealing space that feels more open and airy.
Swap too-heavy curtains for airier options
While you may have initially chosen your drapes for their color rather than their material, if they're weighing down your space, you should consider swapping them for a lighter fabric. But taking a tip from Leslie Davis and showing off your windows doesn't have to mean limiting the color palette of the room. Although most sheer curtains come in white or "colorless" varieties, these aren't your only choices.
Opting for colored sheer curtains can add some visual interest without affecting the light coming through the space. A cream or light gray instead of stark white can add a little bit of variety without straying from neutrals. If you don't mind a bolder pop, shades like light blue, green, or even yellow and orange can help draw attention to the windows even more. Similarly, choosing sheer curtains with patterns can add some texture and dress up what could otherwise be a plain window area.
Layering sheer curtains can also bring some visual interest into the space without dragging it down. You could pair sheer fabrics with other window treatments; blinds can offer more light control and privacy than most sheer curtains without giving up the airy feel of the room. And though Davis was adamant about removing the heavy drapery for her client, pairing heavier drapes with sheer ones is also an option. Leave the thicker curtains on the sides of the window to frame it while still allowing the light to brighten your space.
Choose heavier drapes wisely
Heavy drapery can still have a place in the home if done right. Leslie Davis had an issue with her client's drapes because they blocked out the light and hid the stunning windows. But if that's not the case for your house, you don't have to run out to purchase sheer curtains. The key is to find the right opaque drapes that offer a solid look without being too visually heavy in the room.
Linen and linen blend drapes are a great option because they add some visual weight to the room without being too stiff. Linen has a flexible texture, allowing it to look soft when hanging while also holding shape to offer some structure. Cotton and wool behave similarly to linen by maintaining the folds in the fabric while still having a flowy nature. If you're looking for thicker curtains that will block out light or offer more privacy, choosing drapery in one of these materials is a good way to ensure the room isn't weighed down.
Of course, if you want to show off your windows, ensuring that the drapes don't block them is key. Using a material like linen or cotton will help prevent the drapes from being too bulky when pushed to the side. Hang a curtain rod that's longer than the window so the drapes sit on either side of the window rather than in front, allowing the maximum amount of light into the room.