How to Choose Curtains for Your Living Room

We know how overwhelming it can be to pick out the perfect curtains for your living room. You’ve seen all the Pinterest-perfect inspiration photos, and you’re left deciding between sheers or blockout, linen or voile, plain or patterned, pastel or bold, pinch pleats or wave fold… the list goes on. To make it easier, we’ve pulled together helpful advice and some of our favourite living room curtain ideas so you can make your final choice with confidence.

Why Should You Put Curtains in Your Living Room?

In most homes, the living room is where life happens. It’s where you relax after work, host friends, watch TV, and spend quality time with family. Adding curtains will simply make your living space more functional and more inviting.

They can help with some practical benefits like privacy and controlling light levels. But they’re also great for adding a touch of luxury and warmth the whole room. When it comes to picking the right living room curtain, your budget, style, and how you use your space are the main things to keep in mind. If you’re not sure where to start, our friendly CurtainWorld consultants can guide you through the choices and help you land on a solution that suits your home.

What’s Trending in Living Room Curtains for 2026

If you want a look that’s fresh and current, here are some trends we think you’ll be seeing more of this year:

• Natural and textured fabrics: Linen, cotton, and textured blends for an easy, calming feel.
• Soft colour palettes: Earthy neutrals (sand, beige, oat) and muted pastels (blush, sage, soft blues).
• Layering for light and privacy: Sheer curtains paired with blockout curtains for flexibility and depth.
• Nature-inspired prints: Subtle florals, abstract botanicals, and gentle geometric patterns.
• Smart automation: Motorised curtains that integrate with your smart home setup.
• Classic details: Pinch pleats, decorative trims, tassels, and fringe-style accents returning in a modern way.

What to Consider When Choosing Curtains for a Living Room

Before you fall in love with a fabric, it helps to think through what your curtains need to do day-to-day.

Light control

Want to keep the room bright and airy while softening harsh sunlight? Living room sheer curtains are a smart choice. They filter light beautifully and help to reduce glare without darkening the room.

Privacy

If your living room looks out onto the street, blockout curtains can give you strong privacy and peace of mind. Sheers can provide daytime privacy, though at night (with lights on inside) they won’t offer the same level of coverage as a heavier curtain or blockout lining.

Temperature control & energy efficiency

Curtains can help regulate temperature, which is always a good thing with Perth’s hot summers and wet and windy winters. For year-round comfort, double curtains (sheers paired with blockouts) are hard to beat. You’ll have light, airy sheers through the day, then extra insulation and privacy when you need it.

The 5 Design Details We Look At

Once you’ve figured out function, it’s time to make sure everything looks spot-on. These are the details our consultants consider when recommending lounge room curtains:

• Make the room feel bigger: Floor-to-ceiling curtains can help emphasise your living room’s height.
• Wall colour undertones: Matching warm or cool tones helps your curtains blend beautifully with your décor.
• Hardware finishes: Track or rod choice can change the whole look.
• Stack-back space: Enough wall space for curtains to sit neatly when open, keeping the view clear.
• Fullness and pleat style: The right fullness and pleat style prevents a flat, underdone look.

A Few of Our Favourite Living Room Curtain Ideas

Need some inspiration? Here are a few looks that work especially well in WA home, from breezy coastal styles to modern minimalist spaces.

Coastal and light

A true Perth favourite, coastal style suits our indoor–outdoor lifestyle and the relaxed feel of living near the ocean that we cherish so much here. For this look, light and breezy living room sheer curtains work beautifully.

Pro tip: We can add a weighted selvedge to help your sheers hang straight, even when the sea breeze picks up.

Minimal and sleek

If you prefer clean lines, choose lightly textured, linen-blend sheers in soft neutrals like white, cream, or pale grey. A wave-fold header keeps the silhouette streamlined, which suits a modern living room perfectly.

Pro tip: A modern combination we love is textured off-white sheers paired with black hardware.

Cosy and layered

For a warm, luxurious feel, double-curtains are the go-to. We recommend layering light-filtering sheers with blockout curtains for extra comfort, privacy, and insulation.

Pro tip: If double curtains aren’t for you, pairing curtains with roller blinds can look just as stylish and works brilliantly for light control.

Why Professional Measuring and Installation Matters

Curtains can look amazing in photos and still miss the mark in real life if the sizing is off. The most common issues we see are:

• Curtains that are too short
• Curtains that are too narrow
• Tracks or brackets positioned in a way that limits the final look (or the function)

At CurtainWorld, we’ll bring the showroom to you. Our experienced team can talk you through options, bring fabric samples, measure your windows properly, and recommend a solution that suits your space. If you’re building or renovating, we can quote from your building plans too.

Book a Free Measure & Quote Today

If you’d like help choosing the right curtains for your living room, we’re here to make it easy. Book a free measure and quote and we’ll guide you through your options — from living room sheer curtains to layered solutions and modern looks that suit your home.