3 curtain ideas for the living room: light sheer or blackout fabric for an elegant look?

For us, decorating is all about sensations, natural light and materials that speak to our emotions. And do you know what? Curtains have this magical power: they're not just there to dress a window or filter daylight. They define the atmosphere, they structure the space, they add a final touch to the interior, like a delicate but striking signature.

So this year, in our house or apartment, we're saying goodbye to the obligatory neutral, and we're daring. Yes, we're daring with color, materials, patterns, graphic sheers or velvet blackout fabric. 

Idea n°1: light sheers for a room full of light and softness

If your priority is to let in as much natural light as possible, sheer curtains are for you. In 2025, they're back, more modern than ever: forget old-fashioned patterned curtains, and go for white, beige or even pearl-grey sheers to create a zen-like, soft and airy atmosphere. You can also choose these shades for a heat-insulating curtain to protect you from the sun in summer. 

Linen or light cotton sheers dance in the breeze, bathed in light, with a sofa in natural fabric, matching cushions and light wood furniture. The style is halfway between warm minimalism and seaside living. The result is beautiful, bright, but never cold.

Lightweight curtains are also perfect for small spaces or living rooms that are already well exposed. They add a touch without overwhelming. When it comes to installation, a discreet curtain rod and brushed metal eyelets are all that's needed. What's more, in the wide-width version, they even fit over bay windows. For a look that lives up to your expectations, opt for the best thermal curtains. 

Idea no. 2: blackout fabric for an elegant, enveloping ambience

When we think of blackout curtains, we often think of the bedroom. But these curtains are ultra-stylish today, and are perfectly at home in a modern or art deco living room. Especially if you're dreaming of a cocooning living space, sheltered from view, with a warm ambience.

Here, fabric is everything. Thick materials are preferred: velvet, wool-effect polyester, or heavy cotton. These curtains not only add a touch of luxury, but also provide significant thermal insulation. Ideal if you have a wall exposed to the cold, or if you want to filter the light for a moment of cinema or reading.

In 2025, our favorite colors range from navy blue to forest green, mustard, peach and brick red. Rich, intense hues that sublimate patterned wallpaper, a light-colored sofa or a dark parquet floor.

We've fallen for a coffee velvet curtain, mounted on a matte black rod, which dresses up the room with style.

And for those who want a precise result? Made-to-measure curtains, of course. They promise a perfect fall, at just the right height, right on the edge of the floor, or even slightly overhanging to add a touch of sophistication. Depending on the dimensions of your openings, you can select the most appropriate size.

Idea n°3: the winning combination of sheer curtains and heavy curtains

Why choose when you can have it all? That's what more and more people are saying in 2025. And frankly, superimposing a sheer curtain and a thick curtain is THE living-room curtain trend to adopt to control light at all hours and change the mood throughout the day.

During the day, we let the daylight filter through a light sheer curtain, then in the evening, we draw the blackout curtains to create an intimate atmosphere. It's also a very practical way of keeping out the sun while preserving natural light.

For an elegant living room, play with subtle contrasts:

• Ecru sheer + sage green curtains
• Light grey sheer + deep blue curtains
• Floral sheer + plain beige or terracotta curtains

This layering is also perfect for large rooms with high ceilings. Here, the curtains literally dress up the space, framing the window as a decorative element in its own right.

Pro tip: invest in a quality double rod for a neat, long-lasting finish. And if you like to go the extra mile, don't forget the curtain accessories: tiebacks, cords or ribbons, which add personality to your decor.

Nokomis: when the curtain becomes the centerpiece of your interior

And while we're on the subject of inspired choices and materials that make sense, there's something we've learned to really appreciate over time: brands that tell a real story. That's exactly what we find at Nokomis, a French textile house that puts gesture, quality and respect at the heart of every curtain, every fabric, every detail. When you choose their washed linen curtains or airy sheers, you're not just talking about aesthetics, you're talking about emotion.

Their commitment to responsible production, using natural fibers, makes all the difference. It's not just a decoration purchase, it's a choice of values. And you feel it immediately, in the texture, the fall, the perfectly measured hue that transforms your room without ever overwhelming it.

If you like everything in your home to have a purpose, Nokomis is the obvious choice. Their universe blends in perfectly with any type of living room, whether you opt for a bohemian, refined or more contemporary ambience. These are the pieces that give meaning to our decor. And if you haven't heard of them yet, we urge you to find out.

We answer your questions about curtains for the living room

How to choose the color of classic or modern curtains?

When it comes to choosing the color of your living room curtains, it's never just a question of shade. It's a question of emotion, ideal style and, above all, the atmosphere you want to create. In our home, if the walls are white, we love to dare grey curtains for a chic, modern effect, or beige curtains for a softer, more natural feel. For a more vibrant interior, we play around with patterned curtains or warm hues from our favorite color palette: terracotta, ochre, olive green... We also combine complementary colors with our sofa or rug. The most important thing is to have curtains that look like us, and that tell a story in our room.

Materials for living room curtains

When we're looking for beautiful curtains for our living room, we always start by touching on materials. What we want is curtain fabric with character: thick fabric for cocooning winters, or light sheers for bright rooms. We're big fans of linen curtains, perfect with natural decor and light wood furniture. And what about velvet curtains? It's the dramatic, chic touch we love in more classic living rooms. If you prefer practicality, polyester curtains do the job without compromising on looks. Natural materials, cotton or wool, it all depends on the ambience you're imagining. The most important thing? Quality, always.

How do you add the finishing touch to your living room?

Ah, that finishing touch we're all looking for once the walls have been painted and the sofa installed... It's the curtains that provide it, without a doubt. In our house, we love to play with curtain accessories: a matte black or gold curtain rod for contrast, matching cushions in the same tones as the patterned curtains, and sometimes even a rug or lamp that echoes the chosen color palette. Living room curtains are our favorite decorative elements. They add a touch of elegance, frame the light and structure the space. A simple piece of fabric? No, a real decorative gesture.

Curtains for a cosy ambience

If you're like us and your dream is a cozy living room with a warm atmosphere, fluffy plaid and hot chocolate in hand, then go for sifting curtains. We love velvet curtains, heavy and generous, in earthy tones or deep blue. For the more subdued, floor-length cotton or linen curtains provide unrivalled softness. And don't forget to mix light curtains with blackout curtains, to juggle natural daylight with an intimate evening ambience. Believe us, these thick curtains do more than dress up a window: they dress up the moments of your life.