Written by Laurie Davidson

Curtains: 5 window dressing ideas

Curtains are back in a big way. Elevate your scheme with drapes in bold prints, colours and tactile trims, adding texture, warmth and personality to a space. Thick, cosy fabrics are a core part of autumn-winter decor, so for on-trend curtain ideas, check out this Good Homes magazine guide…

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Be bold

Why not let your curtains become the focus of your room, with an eye-catching print or stand-out colour? Rather than blending into the background, a wow-factor fabric can become the star of the show.

Curtain ideas: yellow Amarilla full length curtains with geometric pattern in pale green room with rattan furniture

Vedra Amarilla curtains, from £123 for a H137xW127cm design, including in-home measuring and fitting, Hillarys

Embellish away

Play around with decorative trims, tiebacks and headers to add a creative nod to your window dressing. Whether you’re looking to update existing drapes or add an inexpensive finishing touch, trims allow you to personalise your curtains – and can be added to your cushions, too.

Statement full lenth curtains in tabletop slate on wooden flooring

Curtains in Tabletop Slate, £31.50 per m, Villa Nova

Add personality to your curtains with these quirky tiebacks. Whether you prefer a stud holdback, a macrame-style natural offering or a gold touch with this pair of toucans, there are plenty of options out there…

: Stud curtain holdback, £15 for two, Next

: Macramé natural tieback, £10, Dunelm

: Toucan gold-toned tieback, £28, Anthropologie

Mix and match

Looking to incorporate more than one pattern into a scheme? The trick is to choose curtains in a similar colour or print to your existing upholstery for a seamless effect. Using different scales will help patterns work well together (for example, large florals mixed with ditsy prints), and stripes and florals are a great mix, too.

Curtain ideas: cottagecore floral curtains in grey against dark wood panel walls

Cottage pleat curtains in Flora & Fauna Charcoal fabric; slip cover for armchair in French Ticking, both £57 per m, Vanessa Arbuthnot

Switch up your style with one of these fun fabric suggestions. Choose from stripes, faded palms and amazing animal print…

: Ticking 01 fabric in Smoke, £29.50 per m, Ian Mankin

: St Lucia fabric in Watermelon, £38.88 per m, Caribbean collection at Prestigious Textiles

: Wild Sienna fabric, POA, Hillarys

Go neutral

If you’d like your curtains to add a cosy element but would rather them blend into your décor than stand out, opt for a neutral design or ones that are the same colour (or similar) to your walls. Let the detail come from the heading instead – a double pleat top for example adds an elegant touch.

Wooden dining table and five chairs with cream curtains and blue accessories

Made-to-measure blackout linen curtains in Aster, £23 per m, Loom & Last

Double Up

It’s not only the front of your curtains that you need to think about. If you can see the back of them from the outside, consider lining with a fabric in a contrasting print or colour to make them attractive from both sides of the window.