Bought The Wrong Drapes For Your Living Room? The Solution Lies In Your Decor

It can be frustrating to order new drapes, hang them, and stand back only to realize they are not the best type of curtains for your living room. Heavy curtains, for example, can make a supposedly bright and welcoming room feel dark, cramped, and visually weighed down. If you can no longer replace them or they're custom made, you might feel like you're unfortunately stuck with a space that's seen just gotten a permanent downgrade. Fortunately, you can solve this problem in no time by balancing the room and creating the right atmosphere with your decor choices.

For interior designer Liz Williams, creating a cohesive look with living room curtains is all finding equilibrium. "Remember that balance is key," she said (via The Spruce). "If the curtains are too heavy for the space, consider bringing in lighter upholstery and rugs, painting the walls a light color for contrast, or adding mirrors to reflect light."

If the fabric feels way too dark or dense for the living room, surrounding it with lighter colors and reflective decor can soften the overall effect. This way, instead of letting the drapes dominate the room, the rest of the design elements can help redistribute visual weight and brighten the area. On the other hand, the opposite is not always true for light or sheer curtains. Layering them with a darker treatment is advisable for privacy and lighting control, but it also helps to add more texture and weight to your walls.

One of the first things to look into after you get your new drapes is the color palette of your living room. Light-colored walls always bode well with dark fabric since they create contrast and help make the latter feel intentional rather than overwhelming. Cream, soft white, warm beige, and pale gray are some of the shades that can visually brighten any room. However, if repainting is out of the budget, the next best thing is to make some alterations to your furniture. Putting light-colored slipcovers on the couch and chairs can achieve a similar effect in balancing heavy window treatments.

Similar to how designers decorate with popular curtain styles, do not be afraid to play with the other textiles in your living room. Having dark rugs and bulky furniture alongside thick drapes can make the area feel closed in. Swap in lighter rugs, airy throw blankets, and bright accent pillows to provide some visual relief and make the space easier on the eyes. If your drapes darken the space significantly, you may need to modify the lighting in the room to counteract such darkness. Introduce floor lamps, table lamps, and other warm light sources to improve brightness and create a cozy ambiance. To further maximize the impact of your lighting, consider adding mirrors and shiny or metallic decor that reflects light.