Curtain Trend Selector 2024
Your 2024 Curtain Recommendations
When you walk into a room and instantly feel like it’s got soul, chances are the curtains are doing the heavy lifting. In 2024, curtains aren’t just about blocking light or hiding the view-they’re a core part of how spaces feel. No more boring, boxy panels. This year, curtains are bold, textured, and deeply personal. If you’re thinking about updating your windows, here’s what’s actually happening right now.
Heavy Fabrics Are Back-But Not How You Think
Remember those thick, velvet drapes from the 90s that made rooms feel like a hotel lobby? They’re back, but smarter. In 2024, the trend isn’t about weight for weight’s sake. It’s about texture and movement. Think bouclé, linen blends, and loosely woven jacquards. These fabrics catch the light differently. They don’t just hang-they breathe. In Perth, where summer sun hits hard and winters are mild, people are choosing mid-weight linens with a slight slub. They let in soft daylight without frying the furniture.
Brands like Scalamandré and Zoffany are leading with natural fibers that age gracefully. You’ll see more unbleached cotton, hemp blends, and even recycled polyester that mimics the drape of wool. The key? Avoid anything that looks stiff or plastic-y. If it doesn’t ripple when you pull it open, it’s not 2024.
Color Is Quiet, But Not Boring
Forget pastels. Forget neon. The big color shift in 2024 is toward earth tones with a twist. Think warm greys that lean toward taupe, soft clay reds, and muted sage that’s more ochre than green. These aren’t neutral colors-they’re layered neutrals. They work because they match everything: timber floors, concrete walls, brass fixtures.
In Melbourne and Sydney, designers are using a technique called "color stacking"-layering two curtain tones. One panel in a deep oatmeal, another in a barely-there terracotta, hung side by side. It’s subtle, but it adds depth without needing paint. In Perth, where coastal homes dominate, the most popular choice is a soft, sun-washed beige called "Drift"-a color that looks like sand after low tide.
Black curtains? Still rare. But deep charcoal is showing up in modern apartments, especially when paired with white walls and minimalist frames. It’s not about drama-it’s about definition.
Hardware Matters More Than Ever
Good curtains don’t just hang. They glide. And that’s where hardware changes everything. In 2024, people are ditching cheap plastic rods and flimsy rings. The move is toward thick, matte-finished metal poles-brushed brass, oil-rubbed bronze, even matte black. They’re wider, too. A 2.5-inch diameter rod gives curtains room to fall naturally without pinching the fabric.
Mounting height is another big shift. Instead of placing rods just above the window frame, designers are pushing them all the way to the ceiling. It makes rooms feel taller, especially in older homes with low ceilings. And if you’re using a double rod? One layer for sheer, one for blackout. The sheer panel is now often in a matching texture-not lace, but a lightweight linen weave that lets in soft light without looking outdated.
Layering Is the New Standard
Single panels? Out. Layering is the rule now. It’s not just about privacy or light control-it’s about rhythm. The most common setup: a sheer underlayer, a main curtain, and sometimes a third, decorative valance or cornice. But here’s the twist: all three layers use the same fabric family. A linen sheer, a heavier linen drape, and a linen-wrapped cornice. It’s cohesive, not cluttered.
People are also experimenting with asymmetry. One side of the window has a full-length curtain, the other side has a simple tie-back with a tassel. It feels intentional, not sloppy. In apartments with narrow windows, this trick makes the space feel wider.
Blackout Curtains Are Rethinking Themselves
If you need total darkness-for shift workers, babies, or just a good Netflix binge-blackout curtains are non-negotiable. But no one wants to hang a thick, ugly, foam-backed curtain that looks like a gym mat. The new blackout fabrics are engineered to look like regular drapes. Brands like Eclipse and IKEA’s newer lines use micro-weave technology: a thin, reflective coating sandwiched between two layers of natural cotton. The result? 99% light blockage, no bulk, and a texture you’d want to touch.
These are especially popular in bedrooms facing east. In Perth, where the sun rises early and bright, people are choosing charcoal-gray blackout panels with a subtle herringbone weave. They look like high-end decor, not a sleep aid.
Patterns Are Minimal, But Purposeful
Floral? Too much. Geometric? Too cold. In 2024, the best patterns are the ones you almost miss. Subtle vertical stripes in a tonal color, a faint damask woven into the fabric, or a single row of embroidery along the bottom hem. These aren’t statement patterns-they’re quiet signatures.
One standout trend: hand-dyed ombre curtains. Not the loud rainbow kind. Think a slow fade from deep indigo to pale gray, or warm brown to cream. They’re made in small batches by artisans in Portugal and India, and they cost more-but they turn a window into a piece of art. If you’re investing in one pair of curtains this year, make it one with this kind of detail.
What to Avoid in 2024
Don’t buy curtains that say "thermal" or "energy efficient" on the tag. Those are marketing buzzwords, not real features. Real thermal performance comes from layering and proper mounting, not a special coating.
Avoid anything with plastic lining. It cracks. It peels. It makes noise when the wind blows. Stick to natural fibers with integrated blackout backing if you need it.
And please, skip the tassels on the sides. They look dated. If you want texture, go for woven fringe or hand-stitched edges instead.
Where to Start If You’re Overwhelmed
Start with your existing furniture. Look at your sofa, your rug, your wooden floors. Pick one color in that palette and match your curtains to it-not your walls. Curtains should tie the room together, not compete with it.
Measure twice. Don’t guess. Curtains should pool slightly on the floor-about 1 to 2 inches. Too short and they look like they’re running away. Too long and they drag.
Try samples before you buy. Hold them up in natural light at different times of day. What looks soft in the store might look washed out at 7 a.m.
And don’t rush. Good curtains take time to find. But once you get them right, you’ll notice how much calmer your space feels.
Are blackout curtains still in style in 2024?
Yes-but not the thick, bulky kind from 20 years ago. Modern blackout curtains are made with lightweight, woven fabrics that have a thin reflective layer inside. They look like regular drapes, block 99% of light, and don’t add bulk. They’re especially popular in bedrooms and home offices.
What’s the best curtain fabric for a hot climate like Perth?
Linen blends are ideal. They’re breathable, naturally insulating, and soften beautifully over time. Avoid synthetic polyester that traps heat. Look for mid-weight linen with a slight slub texture-it lets in soft light without overheating the room.
Should curtains go to the ceiling?
Yes, if you want to make a room feel taller. Mounting curtains close to the ceiling, even if your window is low, creates vertical lines that draw the eye up. This works especially well in older homes or apartments with low ceilings.
Can I mix curtain colors in one room?
Absolutely-but keep it subtle. Use two tones from the same color family, like oatmeal and terracotta, hung side by side. This adds depth without clashing. Avoid contrasting colors like navy and yellow unless you’re going for a very bold, intentional look.
Do I need sheer curtains if I have blackout ones?
Not always, but it’s recommended. Sheers add softness and diffuse morning light. If you use blackout curtains alone, your room can feel too stark. A lightweight linen sheer underneath creates a layered, lived-in look without sacrificing privacy or control.
Final Thought: Curtains Are the Quiet Hero of a Room
They don’t get the spotlight like a new sofa or a statement rug. But they’re the first thing your eyes land on when you walk in. And they’re the last thing you notice before you fall asleep. In 2024, the best curtains aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones that feel like they’ve always been there-soft, thoughtful, and perfectly in place.