Choosing curtain colours for white walls
- Aria Jansen
- Consultant
In short
White walls are wonderfully versatile, so almost any curtain colour can work — the trick is matching your wall's undertone. Keep it light with white-on-white or sheers, add warmth with textured neutrals, create contrast with dark drapes, or have fun with a pop of colour or pattern. A double track even lets you layer heavy drapes and light sheers to suit the season.
The fabric you choose for your curtains can totally transform your space. Here are our top picks for curtains when decorating a white room.
Table of contents
Should I keep it simple with white on white?
White on white proves that less is more, the trick is keeping it light, clean and inviting. You don’t want to go overboard and end up with a sterile space. White curtains are much less likely to get stained than couches, so it is an easy way to introduce soft white fabric if you have a young family. Keep it simple and allow natural light in by using sheer curtains for a soft flowing look. Aesop by Warwick fabrics in Parchment is a great linen polyester mix that gives you the best of both worlds when looking for a white sheer.
To find the right white, (and indeed to perfectly match any colour fabric with white walls) you need to identify and complement the undertone of your white walls. Whites are either warm or cool with undertones that can range from yellow to green to blue or grey.
How can I add texture to a white room?
The rough fibres of cotton, linen and wool create a natural feel, while velvet and silk are smooth. Woven tone on tone curtain fabrics such as chevron and herringbone are a great way to layer neutrals throughout the room. Taylor by James Dunlop is a woven herringbone with a wool look. It comes in a range of neutral autumn colours that work to add warmth to any room.
Can I go dark and stormy against white walls?
A popular interior look is dark curtains combined with a white interior. Dark curtains provide contrast and create a focal point for the room. The more neutral the room the more the dark curtains stand out, creating a versatile black and white background that is timeless. If you are afraid of black go for a darker shade of blue or charcoal. A great option is Haiti by Villa Nova in either Agapanthus or Heron.
To get the best of both worlds choose a double track, allowing you to have a two layered approach. This is great for creating a cosy feel during winter, with heavy dark drapes for insulation, then as the seasons change pull them back to reveal light sheer curtains for summer.
How do I add colour and pattern to a white room?
Inject vibrancy into a white room with a pop of colour in the curtains. Block coloured fabric is a simple way of adding colour that doesn’t need to be too dramatic. If you are looking for inspiration check out Pantone’s Colour of Year.
If you love colour and pattern but don’t want to make a bold statement, go for a small, neutral print, or try an ombre fabric like Aquis from Unique Fabric, available in Inkwash, Pool or Quill.
Ready to find the right curtains for your home? Request a free in-home consultation and one of our local consultants will bring the samples to you, measure up, and give you a no-obligation quote.
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Guides
Choosing the right curtains for your home
Not sure which curtains will suit your home? Find out everything you need to know with this free guide.
Frequently asked questions
What curtain colours work with white walls?
Almost anything can work, which is the beauty of white walls. White-on-white keeps a space light and clean, textured neutrals add warmth, dark drapes create striking contrast, and a pop of colour or pattern injects personality. The key is matching the undertone of your white.
How do I match curtains to the undertone of my white walls?
Whites are either warm or cool, with undertones ranging from yellow to green to blue or grey. Identify your wall's undertone first, then choose a curtain colour that complements it so the two sit comfortably together rather than clashing.
Do white curtains stain easily?
White curtains are actually much less likely to show stains than white couches, which makes them an easy way to bring soft white fabric into a home with a young family. Sheer white curtains are a lovely option for keeping the look light and letting natural light flow in.
Can I use dark curtains with a white interior?
Yes, and it is a popular look. Dark curtains create contrast and a focal point against a white room, and the more neutral the space, the more they stand out. If black feels too bold, a deep blue or charcoal gives the same timeless effect.
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