
“Men do change, and change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass.” – John Steinbeck
Many homeowners throw up a set of Venetian blinds and call it a day. But settling for boring window coverings means missing out on countless amazing design trends you could explore.
First and foremost, window treatments must be functional. Still, high-quality curtains can completely reinvent a room, especially in a space like the master bedroom. Keep reading to discover how you can incorporate some of today’s top bedroom curtain ideas into your own home decor.
1. Dark Bedroom Curtain Ideas
Many decorators fear dark drapery because they believe it will make the space feel claustrophobic. In actuality, dark bedroom curtains are a great way to turn a utilitarian decor feature into one of luxury.

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As with any decor choice, look to the room’s color palette for inspiration. In a space populated by black and white decor—shades of grey included—black curtains are an excellent choice. For bedrooms with accents of blue, red, and green, select deep jewel tones from the same color family.
2. Floor-to-Ceiling Bedroom Curtain Ideas
If you’re looking to get the most from your bedroom’s limited space, floor-to-ceiling curtains might do the trick. Choose lightweight, neutral fabrics to bring an airy quality to the space while also creating an opportunity for more natural light.

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You can also think of floor-to-ceiling curtains as a type of accent wall. For this look, reach for large, standout prints and contrasting colors. They’ll complement the rest of your bedroom decor without fading into the background. With the right approach, even dark shades can make the space feel larger than reality.
3. Neutral Bedroom Curtain Ideas
Rather than turn to white as your go-to neutral, take a moment to think about how grey, cream, or beige curtains can elevate a room. To ensure your new window treatment matches the existing color palette, choose a neutral shade of the same temperature.

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Selecting a lighter or heavier fabric can also completely transform the look of your window curtains. Sheer curtains allow more natural light to enter the room without giving up your sense of privacy. On the other hand, thicker drapes block out more unwanted light and can even help maintain your bedroom temperature during the hot and cold months.
4. Pelmet And Valances Bedroom Curtain Ideas
If your bedroom doesn’t have a curtain rod pocket and you want to disguise the fittings, consider hanging a pelmet or valance. Pelmets are simple structures installed atop interior window frames to cover the curtain rod and fasteners. Valances are short curtains that hang along the entire curtain rod, creating a uniform look above your other curtain panels.

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While pelmets are usually upholstered wood, whether the fabric matches or contrasts with your curtains is up to you. Wallpaper or paint can also blend a pelmet into the surrounding wall.
Many bedroom curtain sets come with a matching valance. To make your own, choose a short curtain (or hem a full-length one) in a contrasting color or pattern. Valances are an easy way to achieve the layered curtain look without adding extra bulk.
5. Plain Color Bedroom Curtain Ideas
Accent colors are a valuable tool in home design. If you design your space around a single color or color family, your window curtains are a great canvas to focus on.

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Anytime you work with solid colors, texture is your friend. Thick velvet curtains are a popular trend because they bring a luxurious look and feel to even the most boring color palette. On the flip side, sheer fabrics can add some much-needed dimension to solid-colored drapery.
Since the curtains themselves will be rather plain, be sure to get creative with hardware. Curtain rods and tiebacks in a complementary finish look intentional rather than simplistic.
6. Pompom And Fringe Bedroom Curtain Ideas
Pom-poms and fringe might be staples of nursery window decor, but these trends can also translate to the master bedroom. For a more mature take, opt for smaller pom-poms or fringe in neutral colors.

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You can use macrame as a valance or curtain panel to add texture and bohemian appeal to otherwise plain curtains. It won’t do much to block out the light or prying eyes, though, so try layering macrame over shutters or sheer drapes to maximize its functionality.
If you want a touch of the pom-pom or fringe aesthetic without going full-throttle, look for curtain tiebacks that fit the look. A curtain tieback set adorned with pom-poms or fringe offers a subtle nod to the boho trend without worrying about overdoing it.
7. Prints Bedroom Curtain Ideas
From quirky to refined, printed curtains add character to even the simplest drapery sets. Modern geometric patterns are super popular, but barely scratch the surface when it comes to unique fabrics. Maximalist florals are also very on-trend right now and look stunning paired with a dark color palette.

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Look to your bedroom’s current decor and color scheme to narrow down the ideal print for your space. Prints in a neutral color palette are the easiest to incorporate into existing decor, but don’t let that fact stop you from following your heart.
8. Roman Shade Bedroom Curtain Ideas
When asked to come up with bedroom curtain ideas, traditional curtain panels are likely the first to spring to mind. In many spaces, though, roman shades make a great alternative. Whether you opt for fabric, woven bamboo, or another material entirely, roman shades are undeniably stylish and easy to use.

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This curtain style also offers a unique design opportunity in how you pleat, fold, tie, or bunch up the bottom. Depending on your decor goals, you can transform the look of your window treatment without even swapping shades.
9. Short Bedroom Curtain Ideas
Not every home has a blessing like full-length windows, and that’s okay. By strategically placing your bedroom curtains, you can ensure your small bedroom looks and feels as open as possible.

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Before you do anything else, it’s important to understand and work with the shape of your bedroom windows. Aim to have your curtains fall at or several inches below your windowsill.
If you want the illusion of taller windows without floor-length curtains, there’s another option. Hanging the curtain rod slightly above your window can work miracles. A carefully placed valance or pelmet can hide the fact that you installed your curtain rod several inches above the window frame.
10. Lace Bedroom Curtain Ideas
Despite what you might believe, lace is remarkably versatile (even in ways that buck the feminine stereotype). Ultimately, the type of lace and how you style it will determine the final look.

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Floral lace is a staple of farmhouse decor, especially when paired with a textured fabric like burlap or canvas. On the other hand, geometric-patterned lace melds perfectly with modern Scandinavian design.
Lace curtains are a great way to invite natural light in while still enjoying some privacy. But, they certainly won’t replace blackout curtains. Play around with layering lace and heavier fabric to get the most out of your bedroom curtains’ functionality.
11. Sheer Bedroom Curtain Ideas
Not all spaces require hyper-functional bedroom curtain ideas. In spaces where natural light is a must and privacy is of little concern, sheer curtains provide the perfect compromise. White or off-white sheer curtains are a popular choice but don’t write off colored fabric.

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Of course, you can always enjoy the best of both worlds by layering sheer drapes over blackout curtains or Venetian blinds. Or, layer multiple sets of sheer curtains over each other for customizable light filtration. Either way, this allows you to block out the outside world when needed while also enjoying the airiness of sheer curtains when you don’t.
12. White Bedroom Curtain Ideas
White curtains generally look best in one of two ways. First, as a stark contrast to medium or dark-colored walls. Or, second, as a modern window treatment installed alongside ultra-bright white walls and ceilings.

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However, if you choose to use white drapery in your bedroom decor, select your fabric carefully. Textured or embroidered fabrics can add a touch of intrigue to an all-white curtain without impeding your clean color palette.
13. Tall Bedroom Curtain Ideas
Long curtains can help give the illusion of extra-tall windows. But in a bedroom that has floor-to-ceiling window frames, full-length curtains are a must.

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Mounting your curtain rod flush to the ceiling will give your window treatment a dramatic look with minimal effort. If you want to get the most from your tall windows, avoid pelmets and valances that will make them look shorter.
To cover large windows, you’re going to need a lot of fabric. When open, consider securing your curtains with tiebacks to maintain a tailored shape. Even if your windows are not truly floor-to-ceiling, your drapes should ideally reach the floor.
14. Matching Bedroom Curtain Ideas
Maximalism is in, and your window treatments are a blank canvas. Rather than hang up plain shades, try matching your window treatment to other decor in the room.

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Wallpaper and bedding are two great sources to draw inspiration from. Consider using the same fabric for your duvet cover and your bedroom window curtain. If you can’t duplicate a specific pattern, use layered curtains with various fabrics to recreate the color scheme as a whole.
Bedroom Curtain Ideas FAQ
Should bedroom curtains touch the floor?
There is no hard and fast rule for how long window curtains should be. While one room might be perfect for extra-long drapes, another might work with shorter curtains.
In most cases, full-length curtains should barely graze the floor. Hanging your bedroom curtains above the floor will prevent bunching and limit the dust and dirt that collects on the edge.
What is the best type of curtain rod for bedroom windows?
As long as the curtain rod is the right size, is securely installed, and matches the rest of your bedroom decor, pretty much any style will work. With that said, some curtain rods are better at blocking out the outside world than others.
If you rely on curtains to keep headlights, street lamps, and sunlight out of your bedroom, invest in a wraparound curtain rod. This style of curtain rod prevents unwanted light from seeping in around the edges. It’s perfect for use with a blackout curtain.