Decorating
Cosset Time: Velvet Curtain Ideas to Create Cosy Spaces
Luxurious, cocooning, tactile... fall for the window treatment that makes a statement in bedrooms and living spaces
A window treatment that turns up the dial on glamour? Velvet curtains are right there at the head of the queue. The soft drape of any curtain could balance a room’s hard surfaces, of course. But it’s the special qualities of velvet that make it a star turn: the reach-out-and-touch appeal, the light-catching nap, and the way it emanates colour. Use it for curtains and you can set a stage on which all these virtues will shine.
Oh, and traditional as they might be, velvet curtains are equal to any contemporary room scheme you might like to put them into, as well as working beautifully in more classic contexts. Here’s the proof.
Oh, and traditional as they might be, velvet curtains are equal to any contemporary room scheme you might like to put them into, as well as working beautifully in more classic contexts. Here’s the proof.
Pick a worthy ally
When there’s a huge expanse of window to dress, the treatment needs to be its match – and these velvet curtains have the substance for the job. They’re neither billowy nor barely there, but instead the fabric’s weight, drape and colour add up to a feature that demands attention. As well as holding their own at the expanse of glazing, they temper the effect of a large area of hard flooring, ensuring the big space feels cosy.
The block of curtain colour is part of a tonal blue and green palette incorporating both hard cabinetry and soft furnishings. Why repeat colours? Because it’s a trick that lets separate zones feel part of a whole.
When there’s a huge expanse of window to dress, the treatment needs to be its match – and these velvet curtains have the substance for the job. They’re neither billowy nor barely there, but instead the fabric’s weight, drape and colour add up to a feature that demands attention. As well as holding their own at the expanse of glazing, they temper the effect of a large area of hard flooring, ensuring the big space feels cosy.
The block of curtain colour is part of a tonal blue and green palette incorporating both hard cabinetry and soft furnishings. Why repeat colours? Because it’s a trick that lets separate zones feel part of a whole.
Lighten up
Darker shades are often chosen for velvet curtains, but this room features a punchier colourway as part of a scheme that showcases floral pattern and celebrates the hues of summer blooms and foliage.
To get the look, opt for a velvet with a deep pile, like this one, and allow curtains to pool on the floor – another way to bolster the sumptuousness of a scheme.
The New Way to Decorate With Velvet
Darker shades are often chosen for velvet curtains, but this room features a punchier colourway as part of a scheme that showcases floral pattern and celebrates the hues of summer blooms and foliage.
To get the look, opt for a velvet with a deep pile, like this one, and allow curtains to pool on the floor – another way to bolster the sumptuousness of a scheme.
The New Way to Decorate With Velvet
Adopt tradition
Deep red velvet curtains are a classic and, in these period surroundings, they definitely look the part. How to pull off this room’s successful avoidance of quaintness? Let the curtains drape unfussily – pelmets and formal headings are out.
Adding in areas of fresh, clean white, like this room’s painted floorboards and bedlinen, also helps to keep things modern. Check out the paintings too. Propping as well as hanging equals relaxed 21st century style.
Deep red velvet curtains are a classic and, in these period surroundings, they definitely look the part. How to pull off this room’s successful avoidance of quaintness? Let the curtains drape unfussily – pelmets and formal headings are out.
Adding in areas of fresh, clean white, like this room’s painted floorboards and bedlinen, also helps to keep things modern. Check out the paintings too. Propping as well as hanging equals relaxed 21st century style.
Get the royal treatment
With its regal associations, purple is a natural choice when ultimate comfort is what’s demanded, and how better to introduce it than with velvet curtains? The luxe continues in this bedroom with a tall, wide upholstered headboard and dark wood bed base that have hotel good looks.
If you’re investing in the beauty of velvet, it’s worth bearing in mind that it can be made from silk, cotton or polyester. Silk reigns supreme when it comes to shine; cotton has a softer – and still beautiful – sheen; and artificial velvets promise a silk shine with stain-resistance.
See more purple in bedroom design
With its regal associations, purple is a natural choice when ultimate comfort is what’s demanded, and how better to introduce it than with velvet curtains? The luxe continues in this bedroom with a tall, wide upholstered headboard and dark wood bed base that have hotel good looks.
If you’re investing in the beauty of velvet, it’s worth bearing in mind that it can be made from silk, cotton or polyester. Silk reigns supreme when it comes to shine; cotton has a softer – and still beautiful – sheen; and artificial velvets promise a silk shine with stain-resistance.
See more purple in bedroom design
Come to the table
The textural quality and gentle pleats of velvet curtains are a boon in a separate dining area, where unyielding surfaces and straight lines can otherwise hold sway. In this scheme, their warm, dark tones – along with the dark wall colour – add to the intimacy of the room.
There’s an acoustic benefit to velvet too. Its dampening properties are welcome in spaces often filled with sounds such as heels on hard flooring, the clatter of cutlery, or cars zooming by outside.
The textural quality and gentle pleats of velvet curtains are a boon in a separate dining area, where unyielding surfaces and straight lines can otherwise hold sway. In this scheme, their warm, dark tones – along with the dark wall colour – add to the intimacy of the room.
There’s an acoustic benefit to velvet too. Its dampening properties are welcome in spaces often filled with sounds such as heels on hard flooring, the clatter of cutlery, or cars zooming by outside.
Watch the waves
This bedroom is both cocooning and sophisticated, with jewel-like red velvet drapes at the window. The expanse of fabric is indulgent – just the ticket for a room that’s a sanctuary from the world.
To repeat the regular pleats that create the smart finish of these curtains, try a wave heading tape. Be aware that it will need a compatible pole in order to work.
This bedroom is both cocooning and sophisticated, with jewel-like red velvet drapes at the window. The expanse of fabric is indulgent – just the ticket for a room that’s a sanctuary from the world.
To repeat the regular pleats that create the smart finish of these curtains, try a wave heading tape. Be aware that it will need a compatible pole in order to work.
Go peacock pretty
Here’s curtain inspiration straight from nature – at its most showy – and bang on trend to boot. This peacock green velvet is teamed with cushions featuring a tail feather motif that makes the link overt.
Take a look at how the puzzle of dressing the window has been solved here. If the curtains had hung vertically, there would have been little space left alongside the bed. To avoid this, a clear pole towards the bottom of the window ensures the fabric follows the wall contours. Neat.
Colour Lessons From Nature: Glorious Green
Here’s curtain inspiration straight from nature – at its most showy – and bang on trend to boot. This peacock green velvet is teamed with cushions featuring a tail feather motif that makes the link overt.
Take a look at how the puzzle of dressing the window has been solved here. If the curtains had hung vertically, there would have been little space left alongside the bed. To avoid this, a clear pole towards the bottom of the window ensures the fabric follows the wall contours. Neat.
Colour Lessons From Nature: Glorious Green
Stay dark
A good night’s shut-eye will not be yours if the window dressing doesn’t block light effectively. In this penthouse, the glow of the city’s lights and early dawns don’t disturb because of the velvet curtains. The fabric’s renowned for its efficiency in keeping an interior dark, so it’s a winner for the easily disturbed.
Make sure you measure accurately when buying for a light-stopping fit. A metal tape measure is best, as fabric versions can stretch.
A good night’s shut-eye will not be yours if the window dressing doesn’t block light effectively. In this penthouse, the glow of the city’s lights and early dawns don’t disturb because of the velvet curtains. The fabric’s renowned for its efficiency in keeping an interior dark, so it’s a winner for the easily disturbed.
Make sure you measure accurately when buying for a light-stopping fit. A metal tape measure is best, as fabric versions can stretch.
Feel five star
Velvet’s a favourite in hotels as well as homes. Here, the velvet curtains are part of the recipe used to evoke boutique hotel style, along with a textured teal wallcovering.
For a rich finish in your own bedroom scheme, be inspired by this room’s use of metallics, including the tone of the velvet fabric. It’s an effective way to layer on luxe.
Tell us
Where would you add velvet curtains in your home – and in which colour? Share your ideas in the Comments section. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more about decorating your bedroom
Velvet’s a favourite in hotels as well as homes. Here, the velvet curtains are part of the recipe used to evoke boutique hotel style, along with a textured teal wallcovering.
For a rich finish in your own bedroom scheme, be inspired by this room’s use of metallics, including the tone of the velvet fabric. It’s an effective way to layer on luxe.
Tell us
Where would you add velvet curtains in your home – and in which colour? Share your ideas in the Comments section. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more about decorating your bedroom
A teal colourway gives the velvet curtains in this bedroom a modern aesthetic. They’re an important factor in the opulent whole: gold floral wallpaper and a silky carpet together with an upholstered bedhead complete the picture.
If you like the idea of upping the impact of velvet, you could follow this room’s lead by lighting curtains from above to exploit the fabric’s reflective nature. It’s a worthwhile addition in a room that’s largely used after dark.