20 Bedroom Curtain Ideas Designers Recommend for a Stylish Space
Upgrade your room with these eye-catching window treatments.
The right window treatments can make a bedroom feel more polished and personal. We tapped experts to share their favorite bedroom curtain design ideas, from airy linen panels to dramatic shades.
While many people spend plenty of time choosing wall colors and furnishings, curtains can be surprisingly easy to overlook. But experts say they can make a big difference in a room’s atmosphere. Heavy velvet curtains can highlight a moody bedroom design, while sheer curtains can make a room feel more spacious. It’s also worth considering whether you want your curtains to block out light entirely or allow some light to filter into the room.
Beyond the materials, designers also say you should pay attention to how you’re hanging your curtains. Experts have previously shared with Good Housekeeping that the ideal height is about four to six inches above your window. Designers also note that you can get creative with your curtains. Use them as a headboard, layer them, and experiment with different lengths to find what works for your space.
Ahead, designers share their favorite bedroom curtain ideas. For more inspiration, read up on the bedroom decorating ideas designers love and the surprising hack design pros swear by for this space.
Keep It Neutral
Create a serene and calming bedroom design by hanging off-white curtains. Here, designer Kristen Elizabeth achieves a perfect puddle, which means there are an extra few inches of fabric at the floor.
Create Contrast
To invent drama, choose a curtain color that's opposite on the color wheel to your wall color. As seen here, green is a complementary color to shades of red and pink.
Embrace a Matchy-Matchy Look
Create a visually appealing space by sticking to a light color palette. Here, Heritage Homes pairs pastel blue walls with curtains, bedding and other textures in a similar hue.
Hang Curtains Behind the Headboard
Whether you've got a window or not, adding a valance and curtains behind your headboard creates a dramatic look. Take note from Curated Nest and couple patterned panels with a solid valance for a balanced design.
Play With Pattern
In this cozy bedroom, designer Nellie Howard Ossi hangs green and blue patterned curtains as high as possible. The best part about bold curtains? You can easily swap in a new pattern if you crave a change.
Go for Blackout Curtains
Your bedroom design is about more than just looking chic, it needs to encourage a restful night's sleep — like this relaxing space by AMMOR Architecture. Opt for blackout curtains to block out light and keep the cold out.
Hang Two Sets of Curtains
Install double brackets and double curtain rods to layer sheers with light-filtering curtains, as seen in this layout by Alice Arterberry and Barrett Cooke of Arterberry Cooke Architecture. Close the sheers during the day to let in natural light and provide some privacy, then close both sets of curtains at night to block out light as you sleep.
Create the Illusion of a Larger Space
Emulate designer Victoria Meadows by installing the curtain rod high up to create the impression of height. Your bedroom will feel taller and more grand when you hang curtains about 4 to 6 inches above your window.
Swap in Fabric Blinds
Ditch the drapes and go for fabric blinds instead, an idea that works particularly well in a small space. We love that designer Ryann Swan chose a white-and-blue patterned shade that matches the bedding.
Frame Out a Headboard
In this dramatic bedroom, designers Megan Pflug and Moses Nadel prove that curtains aren't just for windows. Hang curtains at headboard height behind a bed frame to act as a unique DIY headboard.
Stick With All White
This sophisticated bedroom, designed by Curated Nest, feels light and bright because of the surge of white accents — namely the elegant white drapes against the off-white wall.
Pair Sheers With Fabric Blinds
Sheer curtains add softness and texture to the bedroom, but unfortunately don't provide a ton of privacy or block much natural light. That's why designer Christina Kim pairs fabric blinds with gorgeous sheers — the perfect combination.
Introduce a New Color
In this eclectic bedroom, design firm Blessed Little Bungalow doesn't shy away from color — from the bright yellow bedroom and wallpapered ceiling to the eggplant-colored drapes.
DIY a Canopy Bed
Give your favorite drapes a creative purpose by making a classic canopy bed. Start by installing curtain rods to the ceiling until you've framed the entire bed.
Make it Look Bright and Airy
To make a small space feel larger, choose neutral colors like warm whites or calming beige, which allow natural light to pass through. To draw more attention to this serene drapery stack, LP & Co. hangs a unique pendant light in front of the window.
Hang Curtains High
For a luxe look, be careful to measure the height and width of your window before hanging curtains. In this chic bedroom, design firm Reed & Acanthus shows off the beauty of hanging curtains at ceiling height.
Let in Natural Light
Allow a surge of sunlight to enter your bedroom by opting for sheer curtains. Note that these lightweight drapes go all the way to the floor, even though the windows don't.
Tie a Room Together
To design this beachy bedroom, Arterberry Cooke Architecture uses white bedding topped with yellow and blue throw pillows. But, it's the patterned curtains that bring all of the hues together.
Layer in Natural Textures
Embrace an organic, nature-inspired aesethic by hanging linen drapes and rattan blinds. Julianne Kelly, principal designer of Carrier Design Co., pairs it with an industrial-style curtain rod.
Focus on Symmetry
Craft a balanced interior by dressing windows with matching treatments, as Element Design Network does here with solid fabric blinds and subtle patterned drapes.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
