12 Outdated Curtain Trends That Are Having An Unexpected Comeback

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The world of curtains and draperies is experiencing a delightful upending as once-shunned design styles are sweeping back in favor. From café curtains to chintz, designers are rediscovering the charms of these decades-old trends. But before you turn up your nose or clutch your faithful Roman blinds tightly to your chest, know they aren't simply copying and pasting these old school designs. They're giving them modern makeovers that feel completely fresh and fulfil current demands for character, warmth, and in some cases, maximalist designs.

To understand how window dressings are undergoing a full-circle moment while shedding aspects that dated them, House Digest reached out to four interior designers for exclusive interviews. While some foresee the return of short curtains, block floral prints, velvet, and decorative trims indoors, others feel that it's time to bring back bold stripes, sheer drapes, and canvas materials to the outdoors. As you can see, a lot is happening here. Ahead, you'll find the full scoop on the vintage curtain styles you could be shopping for in the coming years, along with ways to feature them in your homes.

Somehow, around the early 20th century, the collective designer consciousness concluded that café curtains — half-height curtains that finish just below the window ledge — looked passé, and millennials agreed to phase them out of their homes. However, with the newer generations effusively seeking warmth, whimsy, and cuteness, it seems like they're on their way back in the design directory, especially in kitchens where cafe curtains add a quaint charm. Speaking exclusively to House Digest about their successful comeback, Alice Moszczynski, interior designer at Planner 5D, admits, "I feel like several styles that were outdated are making a surprising comeback. Café curtains, for instance, are returning in kitchens and breakfast nooks."

With cottagecore and farmhouse aesthetics back on trend, the revival of café curtains couldn't have been timed any better. That they're mighty practical and versatile furthers their allure, a sentiment Moszczynski headily voices, "They offer charm and practicality by providing privacy while still letting in natural light." Plus, if done well, they're "a great way to break the space up with some texture." To nail down this bistro-inspired look in the heart of your home, get your hands on lightweight materials woven from organic fabrics like cotton or linen. In muted rooms, opt for bold patterns. Otherwise, go with vintage striped prints held up by clip-on rings on a brass or metal-finished rod for a refreshed look.

Valances — the short bangs draped over your windows — may seem like the last thing coming back in trend. After all, those ornate, ruffled designs stuffed to the seams with gaudy tassels and buttons are unlikely to go well with the more minimalist, clean designs preferred by some in certain spaces of the home. Yet, valences are experiencing their own renaissance moment, believes Moszczynski. According to her, "Valances, which are usually dismissed as fussy, are now being used with way cleaner lines and modern fabrics to hide hardware and introduce subtle patterns to rooms."

In other words, valances have received a modern update, ditching their frills and laces for a more understated, sophisticated look. They're still functional as ever, hiding the curtain hardware, but have been cut to the exact size of the window, as opposed to their retro, oversized appearance. In your home, incorporate them in geometric or boxy designs, boasting abstract themes or luxurious textures.

Love it for its romance and opulence or hate it for appearing overly gaudy, but the '90s darling trend of chintz, with its shimmering, floral prints, is coming back for your full-length curtains. And interior design expert Moszczynski is loving it. Adding to her previous insights, she says, "Florals and chintz (my favorites) have also found their way back into spaces, refreshed with updated color palettes that feel nostalgic."

Historically, chintz has showcased lush, nature-inspired motifs that felt perfectly at home in traditional cottages and classic interiors, but they didn't always align with the cleaner lines and pared-back look of some modern design tastes. Now, patterns and ornament are starting to find their way back into some homes, as homeowners try to inject character through layered furnishings and decor. Since floral curtains are trending again, include them in bright, floral patterns to soften contemporary rooms. But to avoid overwhelming your space with busy decor, ensure the complementary furnishings are more low-key, in delicate patterns or plain colors from the same color spectrum for a unified look.

With millennial gray and sterile white becoming less popular in favor of warmer, early tones, we're dipping our toes back into the earthy brown hues that colored our childhoods. Shades of brown are making their way to drapes and curtains, or so contends Moszczynski. She clarifies, "Warm, earthy tones in drapery like caramel, terracotta, and chestnut are being favored over stark grays and whites, creating a sense of coziness."

The resurgence of earthy browns in curtains, perhaps, presents a counterpoint to the dearth of warmth in the all-white home design schemes popular in the early 2000s. Such tones have a grounding effect and invoke a sense of calm. In response to the sunlight waxing and waning through the day, they, too, assume varying tones, creating unrivaled depth while enlivening the area and making it more inviting. It seems like Pantone was on to something when it declared mocha mousse as the Pantone color of the year in 2025, and it's sure to carry into 2026, at least on the window treatments.

Unsurprisingly, retro curtain styles experiencing their comeback moment aren't restricted to kitchens or living rooms — they have a little something for your wet areas, too. As Moszczynski puts it, "Even bathrooms are embracing drapery in unexpected ways, with designers adding less than basic curtains around tubs." You're no longer rigging up a one-panel short curtain. Instead, it's time to bring back traditional-style long, elegant ornamental curtains for an instant upgrade. They're especially great in small bathrooms, as the additional length leads the eye upward — a sure hack for making your ceilings appear higher.

Naturally, you want the master bathroom to offer spa-like serenity and not a college dormitory level of chaos. For that, Moszczynski advises, "The key across all these revivals is good balance. Pair heritage details with modern materials and streamlined execution so the look feels timeless rather than stuck in the past." Avoid those terrible, plastic sheet curtains, and accessorize in neutral tones so that any curtains you swap in seamlessly blend into the overall scheme.

While curtains have their place inside our homes, they're just as elegant and functional outdoors when the look is done right. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Artem Kropovinsky, owner of Arsight Studio, touched upon the resurrection of grommet curtains, drapes with built-in eyelets that simply roll along the curtain rod, in sheer fabrics for outdoor features. In his words, "Sheer, grommet-top curtains are back. Seen before as fussy, now they are used to frame patios and pergolas."

His reason for liking sheer curtains? "They create gentle diffusion of light and soft lines." Moreover, such a delicate veil also offers some backyard privacy, pulling together an intimate space, without outright shading out the light. So, if you're meaning to impart an airy, resort feel in outdoor spaces without drowning in darkness, Kropovinsky thinks sheer, grommet-top curtains are the way to go. They especially work well with a country or farmhouse aesthetic.

As a sharp counterpoint to sheer curtains, Kropovinsky similarly feels hopeful about the revival of heavy canvas curtains with tiebacks for privacy on your terrace. What makes it different this time, however, is the location. "They were previously tied to old porches, and now work well in outdoor living rooms and terraces," he explains. Being heavy, canvas curtains stay in place in a brisk wind. The addition of tiebacks allows you to control the level of privacy. During the day, you can pull back the curtains for light and air, and in the evening you can insulate yourself behind closed drapes.

To tap into this trend, Kropovinsky advises homeowners to stick to soft shades. "They feel clean and architectural in solid and muted colors, and add shade at the same time." Mellow, earthy shades will create a cozy, chic vignette that frames your outdoor living space. Work with architectural elements by suspending them in front of columns or arches to section off areas for a chic look.

Think about where you usually see stripes in home decor. Maybe it's the bold lines on pool umbrellas, sunshades, floats, and beach towels? Turns out, this fun motif looks just as spectacular on draperies, and it's back on-trend, too! "Bold striped curtains, especially vertical or awning-style, are making a comeback," declares Kropovinsky.

Bold stripes instantly inspire feelings of summer fun, outdoor sports, and beaches. So, it comes as no surprise that Kropovinsky proposes using bold striped curtains in recreational spaces like minimalist decks and pool cabanas. For a cohesive look, rather than ornate adornments, stick to simple furnishings. "They look crisp and intentional, especially when paired with natural finishes and simple furniture," adds Kropovinsky. Try these bold striped curtains by Elrene, in gray or red.

Puddled curtains might just be the best way to add timeless elegance to any room. You just need to hold back on the length of the extra fabric to achieve a modern look, insists Christopher Boutlier of the Washington, DC-based Christopher Boutlier Interiors. In his exclusive interview with House Digest, Boutlier advises, "Unlike the stiff puddles of the past, today's approach keeps the clean architecture of floor-skimming drapery but softens it with just enough fabric to rest on the floor. The folds are intentional and weighted so they hold their shape, which gives the look a tailored edge even as it relaxes into the room."

According to Boutlier, the key to achieving this look is to be precise. We recommend leaving about 3 inches of extra fabric to achieve that luxurious look that feels just right in modern spaces and yet adds some artistic flair. It also helps mask any flooring imperfections. Given these benefits, it's unsurprising that he feels that "puddling works beautifully in rooms where you want softness without sacrificing structure, such as a primary bedroom or a formal living space that still needs to feel inviting." Be mindful, though, that puddled curtains may require lots of maintenance. Keep them clean by vacuuming weekly with an upholstery brush, and watch little ones near them as they may present a tripping hazard.

Shiny and puffy is perhaps how you remember silk taffeta. But Boutlier thinks these relics of the past are set to step back into the limelight. He elaborates, "Silk taffeta is one of those fabrics people associate with overly shiny curtains from decades ago, but the new approach feels very different. Designers are embracing its natural luster, letting the light play across the fabric in a way that feels sophisticated and almost liquid."

As it happens, silk taffeta curtains are not only being brought back for their natural sheen, but with raw edges that prioritize craftsmanship and artistry over refinement. "Instead of polished hems and fussy trims, the edges are sometimes left raw or finished with a subtle fringe, which gives the fabric a textural, artisanal quality," explains Boutlier. By stripping this fabric of its formal appearance, it is effectively modernized. Once that's accomplished, you can harness it to inject silken drama in private spaces without dating them. As our expert puts it, "Taffeta in this context works beautifully in dining rooms or intimate sitting areas, where the combination of shimmer and texture adds just the right amount of quiet drama."

A favorite of designers and homeowners alike in the 1970s, the retro trend of using trimmings, such as braids, ribbons, appliques, or tassels to embellish curtains is back, with a major update. Highlighting how it's different this time around, Boutlier elaborates, "Trims are making their return, but in far more nuanced ways than the heavy braid and tassels of the past. Designers are embracing raw linen fringes that bring a casual, handcrafted edge to even the most structured drapery." Micro ruffles, too, are changing the trim game, adding unobstructive, soft movement to otherwise plain drapes. Apart from that, adds Boutlier, "There are subtle custom details like tone-on-tone embroidered edges, where the pattern only reveals itself in certain light." 

Given how a simple addition can instantly enhance and bring freshness to rooms, it's no wonder designers are reintroducing trimmings to curtains. Plus, they bring in a sense of character and customization with very little commitment. Boutlier agrees, "These finishes turn a curtain into something bespoke, something you want to look closer at. It is less about decoration for its own sake and more about refinement and texture." The best part, though? You can use trims to dress your curtains up or down: a simple ribbon edge looks elegant in a study, while a playful ruffle adds charm to a living room.

Cristiana Crin, founder of Perpetuum Designs, told House Digest in an exclusive interview that she has been using velvet curtains in her clients' homes with aplomb and doesn't foresee this changing anytime soon. Explaining why this is the case, she first highlights, "For centuries, velvet curtains were considered luxurious and expensive and only for the wealthy. Throughout time, they became less and less popular, especially since synthetics became a more affordable option." However, in spaces requiring a dash of opulence and luxury, she feels velvet can't be beat. Cue: its resurgence. Crin elaborates, "It not only brings elegance like no other material, but it also offers the most sound-absorbing effect in a space, adding weight as well as structure."

If you're still on the fence about it and think velvet curtains don't fit in modern homes, Crin clarifies that they aren't returning in their traditional, Victorian-era style. Instead, homeowners want simpler designs that feel lighter and are yet elegant. "We make full use of the rich textures and colors to add texture, color, and sophistication to a space, even in minimalist spaces," she explains. To infuse sophisticated comfort around your home and bedrooms, in particular, she recommends using velvet curtains with "backlines for total blackout and/or privacy." This will also help retain more heat, adding a sense of coziness to your interiors.