A home with an open floor plan usually has a standard single large room that often combines the living room, dining room, and kitchen areas. This means there are fewer walls to separate rooms which enables homeowners to take advantage of natural light to create an illusion of a more spacious area.
Every open floor layout isn’t the same but it’s tricky to find the right type of window curtains to make the most of this design. There are several things you should keep in mind before you buy curtains for such a layout such as your lifestyle, furniture, furnishings, aesthetic preferences and functional needs.
In today’s blog post, we’ve put together some important factors that you need to consider when choosing curtains for an open floor plan home. Read on to learn more.
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Utilize Light Strategically
In open-concept spaces, you should focus on utilizing incoming light to keep the space looking bright, airy, and more spacious. Opt for accommodating curtains in lightweight fabrics that can be easily drawn open and closed to provide you with an unobstructed light and outdoor view. If you want to filter incoming light while keeping the room bright and airy while the curtain is drawn closed, choose sheers or translucent fabrics like linen and lace. These fabrics also provide some privacy.
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Focus on Creating a Coherent Look
It’s important that you create a unified look between the individual areas in this type of floor design. First off, check if the layout of your open floor plan is one big rectangle or square or it’s irregular. When choosing the colour, pattern, texture, fabric, and header style of your curtains, note the colour scheme and decor style of your space. For example, if you have a coastal style decor, choose your curtains accordingly that complement the coastal colour palette. Also, make sure to opt for the same colour palette for every curtain.
However, if you want to create coordinated individual zones for a rectangle, square or an irregular layout, choose curtains that complement or match with the surrounding furniture and furnishings. You can also opt for floor-to-ceiling curtains in sheer fabric hung from panel tracks to create separate sections while maintaining a coherent look in the overall space.
To make sure that the curtains complement the different sections of the open space, you can consider any of the following ideas:
- Mix and match solid coloured and patterned curtains. Make sure that the patterns include the solid colour and match your furnishings.
- Use curtains in different shades of the same colour as that of your furnishings.
- Use contrasting colours for your curtains from the opposite sides of the colour
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Ensure Comfort
Note that since there is a single big area in an open floor layout, too much direct sun exposure or poorly insulated windows can make the temperature of the space uncomfortable. To keep your indoors comfortable and insulated during the chilling winter months, use thermal lined curtains. Lined curtains are also suitable during the summer months when you need to block the sun and protect your indoor elements such as flooring, upholstery, furniture, etc. from UV damage and discolouration.
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Beautify the Focal Point
Your windows, large or small, are the focal point of an open floor plan. You need to choose your curtains carefully as a result to make a style statement. Add dimension to your walls and frame your outdoor views with layered window treatments such as pairing custom curtains with sheers or shades. Choose textures and patterns that enhance the look of your windows and the aesthetic appeal of your home decor.
If you’re still unsure how to choose the right curtains for your open floor plan, contact Centurian Window Fashions for a free in-home consultation. To purchase custom window treatments in Toronto from renowned brands, visit any of our showrooms.
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Consider Your Interior Layout
Is your home’s open floor plan irregularly shaped? You could choose different types of window curtains in different rooms since the space is already broken up visually. You can also combine valances, sheer curtains and blackout curtains. Just make sure they blend well with nearby furnishings for a well-coordinated and streamlined look. Hanging beaded or shell curtains between your open kitchen and the rest of your floor adds a subtle charm without making it look overcrowded.
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Consider Your Lifestyle
Always consider functionality when choosing curtains for an open floor plan. For example, when picking curtains for a kitchen with a low ceiling, avoid boldly coloured draperies as these can make the area look smaller and more congested. Blinds made of hard materials, such as roller blinds, are a better choice since they’re easier to clean and less of a fire hazard than fabric.
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Consider Length and Lining
When you hang your curtain rail or hanging panel a little above the window, it gives a sense of space and height. Hence, when measuring your curtains, always do so from the place the curtain will fall to where you want it to hang. Measure two or three inches below the window for a traditional look and about six inches for a modern, dramatic look. Width-wise, keep a few inches extra on either side to block sunlight. Choose heavy fabrics for large doors and windows so they don’t flutter in the breeze.
Added Design Tips for an Open Floor Plan
- Create Cozy Corners
When you own an open floor plan home, you have lots of creative options to design cozy, distinct areas that serve distinct purposes. For example, you can place a sleek couch, some potted greenery and a statement table lamp in one corner of your living space to create a comfy reading area. You can also use another corner as a perpendicular dining area adorned with simple pendant lights and contemporary furniture. While these two areas can look completely different, you can blend them together to create a more cohesive look with neutral curtains in beige, mint green, grey or white.
- Use Rugs Tactfully
In open floor plans, rugs are an excellent way to connect spaces and create visual continuity. A large natural-fibre rug in the sitting or living room provides nice texture underfoot while adding a sense of warmth. Or use cowhide rugs to make the room more rustic and to add character. Rugs are a great unifying element to pull your furnishings together and give your room a “planned” appearance.
If you’re still unsure how to choose the right curtains for your open floor plan, contact Centurian Window Fashions for a free in-home consultation. To purchase custom window treatments in Toronto from renowned brands, visit any of our showrooms.
