Composing a Bright Room with White Curtains

White is probably one of the commonly selected colors for curtains, and for good reason. White curtains are of course very versatile, blending beautifully with whatever other color scheme is used within the room. They also help brighten the room, not only because white is a light color but because it allows the maximum amount of light to enter a room.

Choosing a Fabric

If you have selected white for a curtain color, there are many different fabric options from which to choose. For maximum brightness, white lace curtains are beautiful. Curtain toppers or full length curtains made from lace look lovely, both in the room and from the outside of the home. White sheers are also another good option. Sheers can be used alone, or in combination with other window treatments. Combining white sheers with white curtains looks fresh and crisp. Or, add a bit of color while still allowing the light to shine into the room by combining white sheer panels with curtains of another shade.

Crisp white Cape Cod curtains, with their classic ruffled appearance, are another excellent choice. For easy care, choose Cape Cod curtains made from a cotton and polyester blend fabric. Heavier fabric curtains can also be used, such as those designed with an insulated backing to help conserve energy. Because insulated curtains will naturally block more light than other curtain styles, selecting them in white will allow the maximum amount of light into the room while still offering energy savings.

Choosing a Great Style

When choosing a curtain style, it is important to take into consideration the purpose of the curtains as well as the overall size and shape of the window. Many times curtains are strictly decorative, in which case white lace curtain toppers or pull-back curtains work well. Not only do styles such as these allow plenty of light to enter the room, but they also provide the best view of the outdoors, since they do not completely block the window. This is a great choice to frame a view of the scenery.

For a modern decor, simple white curtains in organic cotton or bamboo fabric are eco-conscious, chic and work beautifully with sleek contemporary or Asian inspired decor that might feature natural tree wall decor or recycled metal artwork.

If you need more privacy than what window toppers and pull-back styles can offer, full-length curtains that cover the entire window and which can be pulled closed are a good option. These can be especially effective when combined with white lace or sheer full-length panels. This combination will allow the curtains to be pulled open during the day, with the sheer panels permitting a view of the outdoors while still providing some privacy. Then, the curtains can be pulled shut at night for even greater privacy. Combining insulated curtains with sheer panels also works well, since it is often desirable to open the curtains on sunny days during the winter in order to utilize the solar heat of the sun.

Adding Design Flair to White Curtains

There are many different ways to add a bit of extra visual appeal and flair to plain white curtains. Although they look beautiful on their own, adding decorative curtain pull backs can add a touch of charm. Curtains with fringes, ruffles or other trims can also add an additional touch of style to the plain white curtains.