Neutral Curtains: Color Tones & How to Choose
Neutral curtains are a timeless and versatile choice for any room. Whether you’re completely redesigning a room or simply looking to refresh your window treatments, neutral color curtains offer lots of colors and fabrics to choose from. Plus, they seamlessly blend into any decor style, making them a popular choice for many.
To find the right color and texture of neutral curtains for your space, first familiarize yourself with the neutral colors and their undertones. Then, explore drapery fabric options to dive into your selection of neutral colors for curtains.
Cover Photo: Outer Layer: Ripple Fold Drapery, Heathered Linen in Ivory and Inner Layer: Waterfall Woven Wood Shades, Grassweave in Snow, design by Purs Dixon for the 2023 Kips Bay Dallas Showhouse, photography by John Bessler
What Are Neutral Colors for Curtains?
Neutral color curtains typically include shades like white, beige, grey and black. These tones range significantly in terms of color temperature, from cool to warm. To find the right neutral tone for your space, it’s important to understand color temperature and how it affects the overall aesthetic of your room.
Understanding Color Temperature
Color temperature falls into two main categories: cool tones and warm tones. In neutral colors, since they don’t have an overt color, it’s the undertones that are either cool or warm.
warm neutrals
Warm neutrals are those with undertones of red, orange and yellow, which evoke a sense of coziness and energy. This invigorating effect is ideal for socializing rooms like living rooms, dining rooms, as the color can create a vibrant atmosphere that encourages conversation.
cool neutrals
Cool neutrals have undertones of blue, green and purple and typically evoke a sense of serenity and relaxation. These colors are calming and peaceful, making them ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms and other rooms where you enjoy tranquil solitude.
What Is the Best Neutral Curtain Color?
The best neutral color curtains will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and existing décor. However, if you prefer to opt for a popular choice, choose warm, creamy neutrals like ivory, beige and tan. Warm, bright neutrals are a current window treatment trend thanks to their ability to convey peacefulness and comfort.
Fabrics for Neutral Curtains
Choosing neutral curtains isn’t just about choosing a color, it’s about choosing the right fabric too in terms of texture and weight. Explore some of the most popular fabric types, all of which come in neutral colors ranging from warm to cool so you can find the right fit.
Sheers
Sheers are lightweight fabrics made from a variety of materials that beautifully soften light while providing some privacy. They range in opaqueness from sheer to semi-sheer. Since they allow so much light through them there are lots of bright, neutral colors to choose from.
Why choose sheers:
- Great for diffusing light
- Ideal for layering with heavier drapes
- Adds a soft, airy feel to the room
Explore a selection of neutral sheers to start your search for the right fabric:
basket Sheer,
Winter
A linen-like fabric without the characteristic crinkles in a bright white.
Color temperature: Cool
Linen Sheers,
Oatmeal
A delicate 100% linen weave with subtle texture in a soft warm beige.
Color temperature: Warm
Sunbrella Vitela,
Grey
A durable, easy-to-clean sheer with a delicate look in a cool light grey.
Color temperature: Cool
Holland & Sherry Wool Challis, Carbone
100% natural wool with an elegant look and soft touch in a warm rich grey.
Color temperature: Warm
Neutral Sheers Inspiration
See a couple examples of sheer neutral color curtains to get a sense of whether this look is right for your space.
Embrace Soft, Warm White Sheers for a Nursery
Capture a soft, sweet aesthetic with warm white neutral color curtains, like Feather Palm Embroidery in Vintage Lace, in your nursery room. The embroidered drapery will blend in with your off-white walls while providing just a touch of visual interest with their intricate design. Add in wood and woven tones in your decor for added texture and warmth to round out your design.
Go Cool, Bright & Airy in a Coastal Bedroom
Use bright, off-white neutral curtains in a coastal-themed bedroom to contrast other coastal colors like sky blue and sandy tans. A sheer fabric like Sankaty Stripe in Moon softens light in your room while providing a touch of visual movement with the subtle horizontal striped design.
Get More Neutral Looks
Discover even more light, airy sheer fabrics for your neutral curtains.
Linen
A natural fiber made from the flax plant, linen is known for its strength and luxurious feel. 100% linen also features character-rich crinkles created when it is exposed to moisture in the air for a casually elegant look. Linen fabrics for neutral curtains include pure linen as well as linen blends for added durability and less crinkles.
Why choose linen:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Provides a relaxed and casual look
- Excellent for creating a light and breezy atmosphere
Explore a selection of linen for neutral color curtains to start your search for the right fabric:
linen,
Ecru
Soft and textured, Linen is a beautiful fabric that’s durable, affordable and versatile in a light, sandstone color.
Color temperature: Warm
luxe linen,
Flax
A heavyweight 100% linen fabric with a beautiful woven texture and soft touch in a rich, warm golden hue.
Color temperature: Warm
heathered linen, Granite
With a soft touch and subtle heathered coloring this linen blend delivers rich texture in a warm stone grey.
Color temperature: Warm
shoreline,
frost
A character-rich uneven weave made with contrasting threads for a rustic texture in a bright, cool off-white color.
Color temperature: Cool
Neutral Linen Inspiration
See a couple examples of neutral color curtains made of linen to get ideas for your own space.
Create Balance Between Opulence & Simplicity
Use neutral curtains, such as Tailored Pleat Drapery made of Luxe Linen in Oyster, in a lavish room with rich colors and ornamentation to balance the space with their simplicity. The tall panels of warm off-white fabric help break up with blue patterned wallpaper while softening light through the large arched windows over glass doors. For a touch of ornamentation to tie into tother elegant details of the space, add decorative trim to your drapery along the leading edge.
Capture Coziness in Your Bedroom
Neutral curtains in a warm white color with a soft, inviting touch, like Claude Stripe in Alabaster, create a cozy, relaxing atmosphere in a bedroom. The unique boucle stripe of these linen-blend curtains adds a luxurious texture that further warms the space. Add blackout lining for an even plusher look and greater privacy and light control — including a room darkening effect ideal for sleep.
Get More Neutral Looks
Discover even more character-rich linen fabrics for your neutral curtains.
Wools & Blends
Wool is a natural fabric prized for centuries for its luxurious softness and reliable durability. Like linen, 100% wool has characteristics, like stretching over time, that give it natural charm. Wool fabrics for neutral curtains include pure wool as well as wool blends for added durability and less stretching.
Why choose wool:
- Provides a sense of warmth and coziness
- Excellent for sound and temperature insulation, especially when paired with lining
- Ideal for colder climates
Explore a selection of wool fabrics for neutral color curtains to start your search for the right look:
wool Blend,
Fleece
A beautifully soft, luxurious wool blend with a subtle texture, available in a cool textured grey.
Color temperature: Cool
Velvet,
Silver
Plush and luxurious with a subtle horizontal texture, Velvet offers a luxe look in a cool silvery grey.
Color temperature: Cool
Holland & Sherry Andes, Sand
100% natural wool, this sumptuous weave in a warm, sandy beige. has a subtle luster to elevate your room.
Color temperature: Warm
Holland & Sherry Wool Flannel, Caramel
This 100% natural wool in a rich golden brown, has a brushed finish that offers a sense of comfort.
Color temperature: Warm
Neutral Wool Inspiration
See a couple examples of neutral color curtains made of wool and wool blends to get ideas for your own space.
Opt for Casual Elegance in a Study
Choose neutral curtains in a bright, off-white color and lush fabric, like Wool Blend in Snow, to give your study a casual, approachable elegance. Be sure to also choose a pleat style that can be casual or elegant: Inverted Pleat Drapery has crisp, flat folds that can look formal when extended and casual when stacked.
Go for Two-Tone Neutral Curtains in a Contemporary Living Room
In a contemporary living room with lots of clean lines and simple shapes, add another linear aspect with two-tone neutral curtains. Adding a bottom border to your drape panels creates subtle design dimension without being overwhelming. Be sure to choose two colors that are complementary and feature the same warm or cool undertones, like Andes in Castle Wall and Rye. The soft 100% wool fabric also softens the space with its lush look that’s inviting to the touch while contrasting the texture of the woven wood shades.
Drapery: Holland & Sherry Andes, Rye >
Woven Wood Shade: Artisan Weaves Cove, Ash >
Get More Neutral Looks
Discover even more rich wool fabrics for your neutral curtains.
Silk
Silk is a protein fiber produced by silkworms, highly coveted for centuries for its beauty and durability. Depending on how silk is produced, it can vary in texture, weight and appearance.
Why choose silk:
- Beautifully reflects light
- Offers a smooth, glossy finish
- Delivers an elevate aesthetic ideal for formal settings
Explore a selection of silks for neutral color curtains to start your search for the right look:
Silk Dupioni, White
A fine silk fabric with a lustrous sheen and subtle texture in a bright, glossy white.
Color temperature: Cool
Matka Silk, Ivory
Artfully woven, this silk has a linen-like texture with a silken sheen in a warm, creamy ivory.
Color temperature: Warm
Raw Silk, Grey
Made from untreated silk, Raw Silk features lots of natural texture in a cool stormy grey.
Color temperature: Cool
Silk Dupioni, Moonglow
A fine silk fabric with a lustrous sheen and subtle texture in a warm, glowing beige.
Color temperature: Warm
Neutral Silk Inspiration
See a couple examples of neutral color curtains made of silk to get ideas for your own space.
Add a Sense of Luxury to a Walk-In Closet
Give your walk-in closet a sense of elegance and luxury with silk curtains in a warm, off-white tone like Silk Dupioni in Ivory which features a lustrous sheen. Create design dimension and add a layer of privacy and light control with a Flat Roman Shade made of Basket Sheer in Winter.
Create an Opulent Backdrop for Dining
Use richly hued neutral color curtains made of lustrous silk, like Raw Silk in Graphite, for an opulent backdrop in your dining room. Raw Silk features beautiful, natural texture thanks to the use of unprocessed silk and the Graphite color helps anchor your space with its rich hue. Layer your dark silk drapery with a light, airy sheer like Luxe Sheer Linen in Natural to balance the color of the space. Be sure mix light and dark elements in your décor and furniture as well to round out your design.
Get More Neutral Looks
Discover even more elegant silks for your neutral curtains.
Patterns
Patterns are made from a variety of materials and feature various designs and motifs, even in neutral tones. Choosing patterned neutral curtains gives your interior design greater movement and dimension.
Why choose neutral patterns:
- Adds visual interest and design dimension
- Can be subtle or bold, depending on the design
- Complements various decor styles
Explore a selection of neutral patterns to start your search for the right look:
Windsor Stripe, Noir
A black-and-white, classic pinstripe reminiscent of menswear and made of a light-filtering linen blend.
Color temperature: Cool
Baldwin, Stone
A small-scale chevron pattern in a warm stoney grey adds subtle visual interest and movement to your window.
Color temperature: Warm
Aberdeen, Bisque
A luxe plaid pattern in warm creamy colors with authentic woven texture that adds warmth to your room.
Color temperature: Warm
linen Dot, Ebony
With a whimsical dot pattern made of shimmering threads, Linen Dot adds timeless charm to your window.
Color temperature: Cool
Neutral Pattern Inspiration
See a couple examples of neutral color curtains with various patterns to get ideas for your own space.
Add Visual Interest to an Inviting, Greyscale Bedroom
For a bedroom with a lot of solid neutrals, add visual depth and dimension with neutral curtains with a plaid pattern, like Aberdeen in Fog. Plaid is also an inviting pattern often made of wool or a wool blend fabric that adds a sense of warmth to your room. Layer your curtains with Flat Roman Shades made of textured Dakota in White for an additional layer of design dimension.
Bold Black & White Bedroom
Neutral curtains don’t always have to be subtle. Create a bold look for your bedroom with a black and white striped pattern like Shoreham Stripe in Jet. The curves and folds of the drapery break up the linear design of the fabric to soften the overall aesthetic for a balanced, inviting look. Keep the rest of your room light with white and wood tones in your décor and furniture. Layer your drapes with a light-filtering Roller Shade for additional light control.
Get More Neutral Looks
Discover even more patterned designs for your neutral curtains.
Designer Neutrals
With unique patterns and textures from interior designers like Victoria Hagan, Nate Berkus, Sheila Bridges, Martyn Lawrence Bullard and many others, our Designer Collection offers truly inspiring designs. These designs range in material, weight and light filtration so you can find the right combination for your neutral curtains.
Why choose Designer Patterns:
- Offers unique and stylish designs
- Features high-end quality
- Perfect for making a design statement while staying within a neutral palette
Explore a selection of neutral Designer patterns to start your search for the right look:
The Novogratz Feather Palm, Waverly White
Embrace a botanical pattern with this modern, intricate gingko leaf design with a subtle luster in a soft white.
Color temperature: Warm
Victoria Hagan
Vanda,
Mica
Inspired by the vanda orchid, this modern pattern delivers elegant complexity and a subtle glow in a light grey.
Color temperature: Cool
Martyn Lawrence Bullard Nomad Stripe, Sand
Inspired by wood shield carvings, this stripe and chevron pattern add depth in a warm, sandy color.
Color temperature: Warm
Sheila Bridges
Archer, Cornislk Stripe
Embroidered chevrons make up this modern interpretation of a classic arrow design in a golden beige.
Color temperature: Warm
Neutral Pattern Inspiration
See a couple examples of neutral color curtains with unique Designer patterns to get ideas for your own space.
Capture a Sense of Drama with Neutral Curtains
In a living room with tall windows and high ceilings, emphasize the sense of height in the room with neutral curtains that span from floor to ceiling. Add additional emphasis with a vertical striped pattern like Nate Berkus’ Surrey Stripe, which resembles subtle pinstripes in menswear. The warm neutral colors of the drapery also complement the different wood tones in the flooring, furniture and décor for a cohesive aesthetic.
Add a Botanical Element to a Home Office
Botanical patterns in neutral colors like Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s Palmier in Sand add lots of visual texture to your interior design without being overwhelming. The sandy color of the leafy pattern complements the light, honey wood tones of the flooring and furniture for a unified aesthetic.
Get More Neutral Looks
Discover even more unique patterns for your neutral curtains.
Tips for Choosing the Right Neutral Color & Fabric
Selecting the perfect neutral curtain involves more than just picking a color. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice for your space:
- Match Your Wall Color – If you’re not sure what neutral tone best suits your space, look to your wall color and choose a color for your curtains that is one or two shades lighter or darker than your wall. This is best done with neutrally colored walls.
- Consider Your Room’s Atmosphere – What effect do you want your drapery to have on the room? Should they be calming or invigorating? This will help you determine whether neutral curtains with cool or warm undertones are right for your space.
- Think About Light Control and Privacy – The level of light control and privacy your curtains provide is dictated mostly by the fabric and lining if you choose to add it. For softened light, choose light-filtering fabric and add privacy lining if needed for greater peace of mind. For a room darkening effect, choose a thick fabric like wool and add blackout lining for the best light blocking and privacy.
Find the Perfect Neutral Tone for Your Drapery
With a better understanding of your options for neutral curtains, you’re ready to narrow down your choices. To more closely compare your favorite options, order free swatches online so you can compare the color and texture yourself in your home. Not sure which ones are your favorites? Start by ordering our Most Popular Swatch Collection which features a wide range of beautiful neutrals in a variety of textures and subtle patterns to kickstart your inspiration.
EXPLORE OUR MOST POPULAR SWATCHES
Not sure where to start your material search? Order our most popular swatches for free to see what’s in style — and maybe find your new favorite.
