We don't know if you've heard, but the days when households followed the principle of “less is more” are over – not so neutral – if we're honest, everything has ever had a fixed place in this region. But that doesn't mean we aren't happy when the masses start to prioritize personality when it comes to interior design.
“After years of being surrounded by bright, airy, neutral spaces, homeowners are now gravitating more toward saturation, comfort, and a little drama,” says Elizabeth Ryan, principal designer at her eponymous design firm in Richardson, Texas. “For some this will read like a deep color palette and rich textures, for others it will be a curated palette of colors and patterns.” The trend we'll see most as a byproduct of this moment of excess in the design world is a return to the dramatic drapes of yesteryear.
“Southern style likes to celebrate abundance, so the move to express with curtains is right at home in a Southern household,” explains Ryan. “I am pleased to see the return of bold window treatments because it signals a return to unique self-expression – designing homes to reflect the charm of those who live there.”
Here, the designer shares her tips on how you can integrate this not-so-shy trend into your space.
Elizabeth Ryan is principal designer at her eponymous design firm in Richardson, Texas.
How to style dramatic curtains in your home
Choose your space
You can certainly be bold and incorporate dramatic curtains throughout your home. However, if you prefer a gradual approach, start small. Ryan says the perfect place to introduce a more eye-catching window covering is the dining room. “It’s a wonderful multi-level storytelling space and the space we love to enhance.”
Focus on fullness
Channeling maximalism with your curtains can take many forms, but Ryan's favorite quality to focus on is fullness. “When specifying curtains, a good rule of thumb is to pleat panels to 2.5 fullness – this means 2.5 widths of fabric are pleated down to measure the width of the fabric, resulting in lovely density,” says Ryan.
Add layers
No matter how full, tall or eye-catching your curtains may be, they can fall flat if you don't think about how they can be used not just as a statement, but as one that adds interesting layers to the room. “Pattern play is a decadent strategy,” says Ryan. “Consider placing the curtain on a wallpapered wall or in a room with other colorful furniture.” This strategy works especially well in rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms that need a little more softness, she says.
Choose a cornice
Try to find a decor statement that's as Southern as a cornice board—it's every bit as good as using porcelain plates as wall decor. Ryan says that these spotlight-grabbing treatments not only add an undeniable dose of charm, but also have the benefit of adding extra height to your windows. While some may say that adding a cornice is already thinking outside the box, why stop there? The designer likes to bend these pretty toppers into architectural shapes to give them even more wow appeal.
Jazz up store-bought panels
Eye-catching drapes with fullness, width and other individual features are enviable, but they are not always practical from a financial perspective. Ryan says that shouldn't stop you from getting in on the dramatic drapery trend. “If homeowners must stick with prefabricated curtain panels, my advice is to look for beautiful hardware to pair them with,” she suggests. “Mixing metal with wood or adding decorative finishes at the end can elevate simple panels.” From there, consider further aftermarket updates such as: Such as installing decorative ribbon or adding a liner to add extra weight.