7 Ways Drapery Can Improve Your Space Design

Selecting curtains and drapes may not seem like the most exciting decision you’ll get to make when designing a home, but there’s a lot that they can do for a space—from filtering light and blocking out sound to adding a pop of colour. Trust us on this one… or at least trust these examples from the WL archives.

Make it feel larger

Sheer curtains allow natural light to filter through, which can make a room look larger and more inviting. Exhibit A: this white and bright living area designed by Megan Baker of Megan Baker Interiors. Learn what else she did to maximize space in this 664-square-foot Vancouver condo.

Add a hit of colour

Interior designer Angela Robinson firmly believes that everything in a home should be useful or beautiful. The jade linen curtains in her own living room are both of those things, diffusing the light streaming through the windows and adding an unexpected pop of colour. See more of this cozy Vancouver condo.

Enhance a cool breeze

For designer Andrea McLean, the window coverings in this Kits Point home are more than just a finishing touch. “They’re that fifth element,” she explains. When all the sliding doors are open, the linens blow in the breeze. “Being able to see the wind just makes you feel cool; it gives it a sensibility of a coastal location.” Check out the rest of this dreamy beach house.

Layer in some softness

Texture is found at every turn across this Oak Bay residence, from the ribbed wood detail in the kitchen to the rattan rug in the living area. Not only that, but designer Andrea Rodman finished almost every room with sheer linen drapery. “[The homeowners] wanted it really cozy,” she says. Tour this 10,000-square-foot family home.

Block out sound and light

A good night’s sleep is guaranteed in this Robert Bailey-designed bedroom. He used a variety of elements to help dampen sound, including upholstered wall panels, drapes lined in blackout fabric and a tiered Italian silk chandelier. Explore this colourful and calm West Van home.

Act as a focal point

There are a lot of big and bold elements in this Alberta home—but we’re partial to the patterned drapes in the dining room. Even next to the extra-large Restoration Hardware table and 12 green Wayfair chairs, the window coverings capture the eye. Find out what else Reena Sotrop In House Design Group did to transform this space.

Create a sense of privacy

Curtains aren’t the most practical window treatment for a bathroom—exposed to water and humidity, drapery may shrink or accumulate mildew. But there are ways around this, as demonstrated by this Modern Office of Design and Architecture and Nicky Gretzen-designed ensuite. With the right fabric, curtains can give your bathroom a sense of privacy (while still letting the light in). Peek inside this modern Calgary bungalow.