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Do the curtains match the colours?

From the Resene decorating blog   curtains

If you're about to undergo home renovations you may have already figured out what colour combinations you want to use in your space.

One of the trickiest elements of decorating a room is making sure all the colours balance each other. The Resene Curtain Collection makes this easier with its line of curtains designed to complement popular paint shades.

What's more, the fabrics can also be made into cushions to adorn your couches, bed and anywhere else you like. This allows you to carry specific colour and pattern themes throughout an entire room.

Choose from fashionable stripes through to neutral block colours and then let your curtain specialist do the rest. You can even add blockout backings to keep your home warm in winter and keep out sun in the hotter months.

Should the curtains match the colour?

Ever walk into a friend's living room and feel immediate discomfort? You can't figure out what's causing it, but it's there, pulling you away from your discussion.

Don't worry: You're not going crazy. Chances are, the living room in adorned with a curtain that simply does not complement the colour of the walls. As a person with a sense of style, this may drive you to insanity.

So, we're going to tackle this issue: Should the curtains match the colour?

Compare or contrast?

Many stylists would argue that a room's curtains can diverge from the wall colouring, and they're not necessarily crazy in doing so. All things considered, matching or mismatching the curtains and walls depends on three factors:

Although there are a few general guidelines, nothing is set in stone. For instance, some may conclude that pairing a green wall with white drapes isn't necessarily the best decision, but there likely are some situations when such a duo is appropriate.

Consider painting an airy, open living room Resene Green House. Then tie in Resene Meander – Blonde Voile across those large windows, and the effect isn't too hard on the eyes.

What if you do want to match?

Again, it comes down to the type of feeling you want to create. More often than not, choosing to match the colour of your walls with the curtains can create a feeling of simplicity. It will probably inspire a strong sense of space for you and any visitors you're hoping to entertain.

If you do choose to maintain colour continuity, be aware that the saturation of the curtains and wall should have subtle difference. For example, suppose you want to adorn your bedroom with blue. While the walls may be dark and have that 'rich' characteristic people sometimes speak of, the drapes could be lighter, possibly something like Resene Metaphor – Bud. Or pick out one of the colours in the drapes and use it as inspiration for your wall colour.

What's so wrong with choosing curtains that are the exact same shade as your walls? Depending on how much natural light enters the room, the effect could be a bit overwhelming. Spaces that get enough sunlight may be able to get away with this, although it's best to err on the side of caution.

Find an equilibrium

When contrasting drapes and walls, you can always assess how different colours create a sense of harmony. Many designers have this practice down to a science, and it comes by breaking down colour groups into several categories, a few of which are listed below:

Maybe your friend's living room simply has too many saturated colours. You can't blame them for not having the eye of a professional designer – it's a talent that few people possess. However, following some of the tips above will help you coordinate colours between your curtains and walls effectively.

April 18, 2015

Visit your local Resene ColorShop for more colour ideas and all the expert advice and products you need for a superb finish on all your decorating projects.

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