Should Curtains Be Lighter Or Darker Than Carpet? 

Curtains can make a bold statement, or blend into the room. If you're interested in revitalizing the look of your room you might have wondered if the curtains should be lighter or darker than the carpet. We've found out what designers have to say about coordinating curtains with carpeting.

Curtains could either be a shade lighter or darker than your carpet as long as they fall under the same color spectrum. It is also possible to use contrasting shades for more diversity. The main principle suggests, however, that unity and balance are key to the best looking rooms.

Color has become a part of our everyday lives because it greatly influences our emotions, moods, and perceptions. In interior design, the harmony between colors has an impact on the room's general atmosphere. In this article, we will guide you with the ways how to properly combine and use them.

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Harmonize Your Room's Color Scheme Using Color Theory

Color theory is a set of guidelines developed or devised by Isaac Newton that helps artists and designers alike to combine and produce a harmonious relationship between colors. In fact, it will help us grasp and understand the general concept of the different hues that surrounds us.

The theory makes use of the color wheel as its main tool to make designing relatively simple. When using the guide, you can pick among the set of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

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You can either combine them to achieve a contrasting but complementing look, or you can use a monochromatic scheme in which you select shades of a single color. Either way, refer to the wheel before combining the hues for you to achieve the right balance.

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Put simply, the theory explains why it's important to understand what colors work together and why. It would provide an excellent reference when you decide how to blend your curtains with the carpet, along with the walls and furnishings. 

How To Pair Curtain Colors With Carpet

Here are the ways you can pair curtains and carpets depending on the color scheme you prefer to use:

1. Monochromatic

The monochromatic scheme basically uses one color but in different hues to create a subtle and minimalistic effect on a room. To illustrate, a gray carpet would blend well with a lighter ash-tinged curtain and feature unity of design.

The slight difference in color tone would soften the transition from the wall to the floor and give the area a formal and classic look. Using this approach is simpler since it entails the use of one defining shade that automatically blends and harmonizes all the elements.

Modern living room interior with beautiful curtains on window

2. Analogous 

Analogous shades fall next to each other on the color wheel, and as such take on a similar hue but are distinct on their own. Blue, indigo, and violet, or red, orange and yellow clearly illustrate the common tone but are defined and carry individual visual strengths and characteristics. 

For instance, a blue carpet creates a stunning visual appeal when paired with indigo curtains, and purple accent interiors such as pillows, artworks, and other ornaments. Since the hues tend to blend naturally, it results in a calming and pleasing display. 

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3. Complementary

A complementary scheme falls on opposite sides of the spectrum, and as such, creates a sharp contrasting hue. Blue and orange have distinct tones and shades, the former being a cool color and the latter classified as a warmer tint.

The hues may seem difficult to incorporate in a single unifying interior style, but it is relatively simple as long as you use varying shades and tones.

To illustrate, pick a dominant color to use on your walls or floorings, and an accent hue for pillows and other decors. Lighten the shades to create a softer contrast between the two. A sky blue carpet blends naturally with light orange throw pillows and neutral-colored curtains such as beige or white.

Kids bedroom in orange and blue colors with two beds and bookcases

4. Triadic

A triadic scheme makes use of three different hues that are found in a triangular sequence around the color wheel, and are often regarded as vibrant shades that make a room appear cheerful and lively. Blue, yellow, and red are examples.

To soften the effect, use one predominant color for walls, floors, and ceilings, and use the secondary and third hues as accent shades. A light coral carpet can be complemented with yellow throw pillows and cobalt curtains to create a harmonious balance between the various tones.

Clean family room with blue couch, white brick wall and yellow curtains. Design interior concept.

Effects Of Lighter Curtains

Lighter curtains have an effect on the overall atmosphere of a room. It invokes a subtle contrast that creates a harmonious relationship between the colors of the wall, carpet, flooring, and window frame.

Softer or lighter hues blend naturally and do not interfere with the room’s feature elements such as artworks, frames, and plants. In fact, it complements carpets and floorings that have heavy patterns and designs.

If you intend to make the space appear larger and feel generally bright and airy, pair your carpets with light-colored window treatments.

Effects Of Darker Curtains

Darker curtains have a more dominating appeal that tends to divert the attention and clash with the room’s wall decorations. They typically become the focal point of the room so it is best to avoid hanging ornaments on the walls near the fabric.

In order for the overall style to complement, use solids as opposed to printed drapes, especially when your carpet is heavily printed with designs. A slightly darker shade than the wall creates continuity without interfering with the overall interior design.

60-30-10 Rule

Now that we have a brief understanding of how color works, let us now apply the general concept by following the 60-30-10 rule

You may notice that in a room, there is always one major color that dominates the entire design. The 60 percent refers to pervading fixed structures inside a living area such as carpets, walls, floors, and ceilings. It is important to select neutral shades so it will be easier to complement them with other hues.

The secondary color makes up 30 percent of the overall arrangements inside the home which includes curtains, blinds, furniture, beddings, and any other fixtures. The hues may either contrast or complement the dominant hue depending on the color scheme you prefer to use.

Lastly, the 10 percent mainly refers to your living area's accent color. Pillows, plants, artworks, and frames all accentuates a room. 

Carpets cover a larger area and are relatively more prominent and expensive than window treatments. It would be a good idea to match your curtains with the existing floor covering.

Should Curtain Match Carpet Or Walls?

Curtains do not necessarily have to match carpet and walls, in fact, the fabric should complement the two.

To illustrate, you must first determine which of the two has a more neutral shade – white, gray, and beige. If the walls are white, then you can easily complement the curtains with the color of the carpet. Use lighter or darker tones depending on the floor cover’s dominant hue.

On the other hand, blend your curtain with the wall’s color if the carpet has a lighter or pastel shade.

In Closing

The curtain’s hue has a significant effect on the general atmosphere of a room. Use your preferred color scheme to help you decide if the fabric’s shade should be lighter or darker than the carpet. We hope the article helped you achieve your desired effect. Happy decorating!

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