What Color Curtains Brighten A Room?

A dark room can feel suffocating and small, making it very uncomfortable to be in. Sometimes, changing the curtains can change the brightness of a room, but you're probably thinking about the best colors to use. We checked this question out and we have the answers for you!

Brightening a room can be as simple as changing the window curtains to let the light in. To make the room look bigger and brighter, it is best to choose colors that are light. These colors tend to be pastels and neutrals like white, light blue, pale yellows, creams, or light gray curtains.

Choosing the best curtains for your room is important because it definitely makes an impact on how the entire room will look. Keep reading this post as we show you what colors will make your room look bright. We will also give you tips on how to pick the right fabric and share advice on putting up curtains.

What Color Curtains Brighten A Room?

When you enter a room, the look and feel of the entire space depend on how everything is laid out and designed. Paint colors, furniture, and even the curtains play a major role in determining the room's feel. Sometimes, just a small change in these elements can completely change the space's look.

If your rooms look a little cramped or small, it might be a good idea to take a complete look into your space. Are you using a lot of dark colors? Or is there enough light coming in?

Changing the curtains in a room is one of the easiest and best ways to make a room look bigger without renovating a room. Simply opening up the space to more light can make the room brighter. Of course, there are certain colors that are more favorable in brightening up a room, and here are some of them.

White

The best color that will brighten up any room is the color white. This color deflects a lot of light from the room's windows which allows it to open up and brighten the space. If your room feels a little stuffy, try changing the curtains with white ones and see how it can dramatically change the room.

Another good thing about white curtains is that it does match most wall colors. Whether you chose a neutral palette or something that's a little more bold and striking, white curtains can never go wrong.

Light Blue

Another way to brighten up the room is by drawing in the color of the sky. Light blue curtains work beautifully for rooms that look small because they give off an airy vibe. You'll also feel like the color is going to blend in with the sky, so it will make your space look big and bright.

There are a number of different shades of light blue that you can choose from. Depending on the base color of your room, choose a ligthblue color that will complement well with the palette of the space.

Pale Yellow

Yellow is known to be very bright, so it is no surprise that curtains of this color can also do the same for your room. Pale yellows are great because they are not strikingly bold in the room. It will also make you feel like the sunlight is streaming into the room with pale yellow curtains.

Since yellow is a bright, but warm color, expect these curtains to match rooms with warm undertones. Of course, it can also complement rooms with cooler shades but it's best to test them beforehand so they don't clash.

Cream or Beige

Just like the color white, cream or beige colored curtains are also great at brightening up the room. Because of their light shades, cream and beige curtains also deflect light which opens up the space. Their effect might be a little muted compared to pure white curtains but still does the job well.

These curtain colors will be great to use in rooms that are neutral in color. They can also complement rooms with other warm shades as creams or beige do have the same warm undertones.

Light Gray

It can be a little surprising to see gray as part of this collection, but light gray curtains can open up the space. Since this color has more white mixed in, it can still reflect light towards the room to make it look big and bright.

Grays are great if you have rooms that have cool undertones. They do well in blue, pale green, or neutral-colored rooms and they will match beautifully with this palette.

What Curtain Fabrics Will Brighten Up A Room?

When choosing curtains, it is not just the color that changes the look and feel of the room. The type of fabric that is used for the curtains also has a determining factor in how it makes the room feel big and bright. Light fabrics are best for brightening up the room, and here are a few of the best choices.

Sheer

From sight alone, sheer curtains look and absolutely feel very light. They are very thin so light flows in more freely, and the fabric's texture makes the room feel very airy.

Check out these sheer curtains on Amazon.

Sheer curtains are mostly used as an additional layer to other curtains, but they can also be definitely used on their own. They are perfect for bedrooms or living rooms which mostly have big windows to let light in.

Cotton

Cotton curtains are one of the most popular types you'll see on the market. They are easy to wash and clean, plus the fabric is light enough not to make the room feel stuffy.

Get these cotton curtains on Amazon.

One of the best things about cotton curtains is the multitude of colors that you can choose from. Unlike other kinds of fabrics, you'll find just about any color or any print you desire with cotton curtains. You can also use them in any room because the curtain's texture is very flexible and matches anything. 

Linen

Another great choice of light curtains is linen. This fabric is very textured and can make your room feel a little bit more rustic compared to other fabrics.

See these linen curtains on Amazon.

If you're leaning towards linen fabric, be aware that they mostly come in neutral colors only. You'll find them in varying shades of whites, beiges, and browns so make sure that the hue will match the palette of your room before you purchase them.

Tips To Brighten Up A Room

Now that you've removed the dark, heavy fabrics that seem to bog down the room, you're probably thinking of other ways to brighten it. Here are some of the best tips on making the room feel bigger.

1. Hang Curtains High

Sometimes, even adjusting the curtain rods higher than their usual height can change the look of the room. High curtain rods allow the curtains to be pulled back and it makes the ceilings look taller, which then makes the room look brighter. This is a tried and tested designer trick that won't fail you!

2. Utilize Good Lighting

Make sure to have three layers of lighting to flood the room with light so it doesn't have dark spots or corners. When our eyes see all the corners and edges of the room, it makes us feel like everything is bigger. You can also use LED bulbs because they are brighter than incandescent bulbs.

3. Add A Mirror

Mirrors bounce light around the room, which as we all know is the only thing we need to make the room look brighter. Placing a mirror across the window will reflect all this light and create an illusion of a bigger, brighter room.

Wrapping Things Up

Brightening up a room doesn't mean that a renovation has to take place. Sometimes, just taking down that thick, drab set of curtains into lighter ones can change the entire room. A great tip for making rooms look bright is to always find ways to let the light in.

Are you looking for more ideas on decorating your home with curtains? We have articles that we're sure you'll love:

How To Put Curtains On Half Circle Window?

17 Living Room Curtain Ideas For Big Windows That You Will Love