If you’re considering a window-dressing project for your home, you understand that you will be living with your choices for some time. So you must make good decisions and be aware of the trends and what’s ahead. The last thing you want to do is regret your choices because you didn’t realise what the trends would be in the future.
For our interior design and architectural clients it is very important that we are completely in tune with the latest design and fabric trends as well the technology so that we can bring your vision to life.
As experts in luxury curtains, blinds and soft furnishings, we see the top trends in high-end interiors first-hand. Our work with leading interior designers and the most exclusive boutique fabric makers means we are always up to date with the latest trends. Read our 10 Trends in Curtains and Blinds for 2024 guide so you don’t make a mistake.
Trend 1: Sustainable fabrics to help you sleep at night.
A trend gaining momentum (and we believe is here to stay) is the increased demand for sustainable, eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, linens, and recycled materials. This is partly driven by customer demand but also by the more forward-thinking and responsible fabric manufacturers such as Romo, Kobe and Linwood, whose new product development is focussed on sustainable fabrics.
Ranges to look out for are Romo Elio (a charming linen look plain made from 100% PET recycled plastic bottles), and Kirkby Design’s new sustainable collection made entirely of environmentally conscious, sustainable materials such as 100% PET recycled polyester from waste plastic bottles, recycled wool, recycled acrylic and Tencel lyocell.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: Don’t worry that you’ll end up with a dull or compromised look or any less choice for your fabrics. Quite the contrary, I’ve been very impressed with the textures, colours and patterns that are available.
Trend 2 – Everyone wants soft furnishing fabrics that are easy to live with.
There has been a noticeable trend post-Covid to “splurge and indulge” in what Mckinsey & Company partner Kelsey Robinson described as “post-pandemic revenge spending” on discretionary items such as home furnishings and the new “homebody economy”.
We would argue this has driven demand for performance fabrics as high-income householders celebrate their post-COVID freedom and have thrown open their doors to relaxed, no-stress entertaining. They want their homes to look great and last the test of time, boosting the popularity of hardwearing performance fabrics such as those from Perennials Fabric, which are stain-resistant, fade-resistant and easy to clean. Especially important for family life, households with pets and outdoor living.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: Firstly, the performance here is genuinely brilliant – stop stressing about red wine spills and your toddler’s marker pen extravaganza. There is a cost implication here but do remember that it will add years to the life of your furniture.
Trend 3 – Curtains coming out on top in the perennial ‘curtains versus blinds’ discussion.
When it comes to our 10 Trends in Curtains and Blinds for 2024, we are definitely seeing a resurgence in curtains, at the expense of blinds and shutters, as clients crave the drama, luxury and warmth that curtains convey. Hand-in-hand has been a return to more opulent fabrics such as velvet, wool and sumptuous textures for a contemporary take on luxury – combined with bold and sophisticated colours in earthy tones such as warm, grounding colours like terracotta, ochre, and forest green.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: Here we’re not seeing silk but velvet, herringbones and wools that really work well in earthy tones.
Trend 4 – Warmer neutrals.
Hardwearing neutrals never go out of fashion, but we are seeing the pendulum swing towards much warmer neutrals, such as creams, caramel, taupes and warm greys, alongside pretty plaster pinks and sunbaked peachy tones. Warm and grounding, these colours reflect our desire to create calming and comforting spaces. We see this in the paint colours that our clients are choosing.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: If you’ve chosen Little Green’s ‘Joanna’ or ‘Clay’ or ‘Slaked Lime’ then you’re far from alone. These colours are huge and signify a shift away from the colder grey tones of some years past.
Trend 5 – Add magic to every day with dramatic braids, trims, tassels and tiebacks.
When a warm, neutral fabric just isn’t bringing enough joy, a popular option is to add a braid, trim, tassel, or tieback. The choice available is absolutely staggering, and the major players, Samuel and Sons, Manual Canovas, Colefax & Fowler, and James Hare, are launching new products at the same rate as the big fashion houses. Braids and trims are a great way to add interest to curtains, blinds, and upholstery, and the only limit is your imagination. A must-mention for our 10 Trends in Curtains and Blinds for 2024 guide.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: Dive in and explore this magical world. There is little that brings me more pleasure than seeing the latest additions to the already great ranges. This is one area where boldness pays a huge happiness dividend later.
Trend 6 – Blackout blinds and unlined privacy curtains.
As well as the major resurgence towards curtains, we have also seen a recent trend that turns traditional window treatment strategies on their heads. For example, combining black-out Roman blinds with unlined curtains to give a floaty organic feel and for privacy in a bedroom. We have been super impressed with the results, which combine all the drama and romanticism of curtains with the practical blackout solution of blinds.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: An unlined curtain allows light in while still offering privacy during the day. This turns the traditional: ‘curtains for nighttime and blinds for daytime privacy’ on its head and I absolutely love the resulting look. Think of a dreamy morning in a safari lodge!
Trend 7 – Layering window treatments and soft furnishings for a more sophisticated look.
We are seeing a major trend for layering window treatments and soft furnishings to create a more dressed and sophisticated look, which could be blinds, curtains, decorative pelmets and soft furnishings. Our 10 Trends in Curtains and Blinds for 2024 wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this trend because it brings so much joy.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: It’s a bit like adding a new belt to a favourite outfit – a small addition can make a huge difference.
Trend 8 – A return to traditional designs but with a playful twist.
We are seeing a major trend towards traditional window dressings and soft furnishings with a playful and whimsical twist. Curtains and blinds made from vintage fabrics, with frills and shaped pelmets, are just a few of the resurgences we are seeing. The cafe curtain remains a popular option for privacy, but we are now seeing these further elevated in lace and broderie anglaise fabrics and with added trims. There is also a heightened demand for dramatic headboards, bed canopies and four-poster beds.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: We recently made up a series of window dressings with vintage fabrics supplied by our client – the material had probably seen better days, but the result was amazing and delivered precisely the look she wanted. This project included café curtains in Broderie Anglaise.
Trend 9 – We’re seeing a pattern here.
Heavily patterned wallpapers continue to be a huge trend, but now we are seeing people layering patterns on top of patterns. For example, having window dressings in matching patterns to the wallpaper gives a complete wall-to-wall pattern drenching. We are also seeing a trend for covering walls in fabric, this needs to be done by a professional but the results are nothing less than spectacular.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: This trend may bring to mind your grandparents’ decoration choices but don’t be put off – this can be modern and dramatic, especially with the inspiring and lovely designs now available. It works especially well in guest bedrooms and cloakrooms to give a well needed change of tempo in your home and is a brilliant way to surprise and delight your visitors!
Trend 10 – Wifi enabled curtains are here.
The final trend in our 10 Trends in Curtains and Blinds for 2024 is the changes we see in curtain and blind hardware. Firstly, there has been a marked increase in demand for the convenience, functionality, and added security of motorised curtain tracks and blinds controlled via smartphone apps or smart home systems. For the high-end consumer, opening and closing window dressings when on trips overseas has become essential for added security and peace of mind.
Secondly, there is a desire for hidden hardware and the use of concealed tracks and brackets for a clean, unobtrusive look. Ideally, this needs to be thought through at the outset of a project for the best results.
Katherine’s Key Takeaway: Often people are unaware of the incredible possibilities here and don’t realise just how simple and convenient these additions are. They are worth the time and money investment in the long term – everyone who has done this loves the results.
Contact us to make sure your window dressing choices are guided by experts.
Don’t miss out on the many wonderful design options or make a mistake now that could end up frustrating you for years to come. Our planning and inspiration sessions will have you fully informed and making the perfect choices for your home.
