How to choose the right curtains for your bedroom?

Author: Lara Willmore | Last Updated: 28th May 2025

When starting to look for curtains for your bedroom, it might feel a bit overwhelming. Do you go for blackout curtains to ensure a good night’s sleep or light, sheer curtains that let in the morning sun and promote better circadian rhythms? And then you need to figure out which style is going to match the rest of the room.

At Axford Interiors, we specialise in helping our clients find the perfect curtains for their space. In this post, we’ll break down the key factors to consider when selecting bedroom curtains. From understanding different materials and their benefits, to talking you through the different styles.

By the end, you’ll have a better idea of which styles and fabrics are best , and be closer to choosing the best curtains for your bedroom.

Things to consider before buying bedroom curtains 

Bedroom curtains do much more than add to the style of your room. The curtains you choose can also aid in your sleep and overall well being. This is why it’s important to choose high quality curtains, in particular for where you sleep. 

Also, things like the psychology of colour can also play a big part when choosing bedroom curtains. The colour and pattern of your curtains is said to be able to impact your mood and how relaxed or the emotion you feel when you enter the room. For example, choosing blue or greens is said to have a calming effect. 

“Choosing the right colour in your home can impact the way you feel. It’s important to pay attention to your responses to colours and patterns when choosing.” Says our Interior Design Consultant Lara Williams, “Does it make you happy as well as ticking the functionality (and budget!) boxes? If we have a positive “feeling” towards something we are adding to our home scheme, you can almost certainly assume it will work in your space for you.”

It’s considering small things like this that can make a big difference to your space. We’ll talk you through some key factors below.

How to choose the style of bedroom curtains 

When choosing the right curtains for your bedroom, the style will mainly depend on personal preference and what other decor you have in your bedroom already. The style of curtain you choose can sometimes be the final touch to pull all your design choices together. 

There is no curtain style that we would necessarily say is the right choice for your bedroom, simply because the style is more down to your own decorative preferences. However, you may wish to opt for a style that lets in less light at the folds such as Pinch pleat curtains or Pencil pleat curtains if you are particularly sensitive to light or have street lighting directly outside your windows.

Pinch pleat curtains 

Pinch pleat curtains are a timeless and elegant choice. This style is made by forming a group of pleats separated by flat sections of fabric. Given this method, they can make a good choice for bedroom curtains as they are less likely to let in light around the edges vs other curtain styles.

They are our most popular style of curtain, most likely because they give off an air of luxury while also still making the room feel cosy and inviting. In addition, they traditionally work well with a variety of fabrics and room designs.

Pencil pleat curtains 

Pencil pleat curtains are a very classic style of curtain. They can be well suited to more traditional style bedrooms, even though they could suit more contemporary rooms depending on the fabric and pattern you choose.

Pencil pleat curtains are a more budget friendly option compared to pinch pleat, and can be designed for your bedroom in both sheer and heavier fabrics.

Wave curtains 

Another popular choice, wave curtains offer a modern and sleek look, ideal for minimalist or contemporary bedrooms. The soft, flowing folds can make a room feel airy and modern, with a ripple effect when the curtain is pulled. When combined with blackout lining or layered with sheers, wave curtains can effectively block light or filter it softly, depending on your preference.

In addition, with wave curtains, the fabric stacks back neatly without bulky pleats compared to the other options, which is useful in smaller rooms or minimalist interiors.

Eyelet curtains 

Eyelet curtains can bring a more casual, contemporary feel to your bedroom. They are simple and modern, with the metal rings creating uniform pleats that slide smoothly along the curtain rail. They can suit a variety of bedroom styles and are especially good with lighter fabrics.

Eyelet curtains slide directly onto a curtain pole, making them simple to install and effortless to open and close in your bedroom. They are also often more budget-friendly and come in a wide range of colours and fabrics.

Goblet pleat curtains 

Goblet pleat curtains are a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a more luxury, traditional style of bedroom. The rounded, goblet shaped pleats are similar to Victorian style and pair well with heavier fabrics – perfect for classic or opulent bedroom designs.

If your bedroom has a high ceiling, goblet pleat curtains are a great option as their grand, full shape enhances high ceilings, adding drama and visual height to the room.

Choosing the best fabric for bedroom curtains

Commonly, many people choose a heavier fabric for their bedroom curtains to block out the light. This usually incorporates blackout curtains, so that the morning light doesn’t shine through and disrupt your sleep. However, some homeowners prefer to have more sheer curtains that let in natural light in the morning to promote better circadian rhythms.

Some curtain styles can be better suited to certain fabrics, but it will depend on your personal preference and current bedroom decor.

Blackout fabric 

As mentioned above, blackout fabric is a popular choice for bedroom curtains. They can help block out the morning light, providing a more restful sleep. Blackout fabric is designed specifically to block up to 100% of incoming light (ideal for shift workers, nurseries, or people sensitive to light). They can also help regulate room temperature by blocking out heat in summer and retaining warmth in winter.

They also help to prevent glare from streetlights, car headlights, or early sunrise.

Blackout fabric is a densely woven material – often polyester or a poly-cotton blend – coated or backed with a special layer (usually acrylic or foam) that prevents light from passing through. It can be used on its own or as a lining behind decorative fabrics.

Thermal curtains 

Also a popular choice for bedroom curtains, thermal lining on curtains can help regulate room temperature and insulate windows. This can be particularly beneficial in winter and summer, as your sleep isn’t interrupted from being too warm or cold. If you live in an older property where warmth regulation is a factor, thermal curtains can be a good choice.

The extra thickness of thermal curtains also helps dampen sound, making them excellent for bedrooms in noisy environments. They help reduce external noise, contributing to a quieter, more peaceful sleep space.

Cotton 

Cotton can be a very common choice for bedroom curtains. They are easy to care for and can be a low maintenance choice. They are suitable for most curtain styles, even though it can be a more popular option for contemporary rooms.

Cotton has a soft, natural texture that gives a relaxed, comfortable vibe. It’s perfect for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in a bedroom and it drapes well, so it gives your curtains a nice flow and fluidity. Cotton is also a highly breathable fabric, making it a great choice for rooms that need ventilation. It helps in maintaining a comfortable temperature, ensuring the bedroom isn’t too stuffy or humid.

Velvet 

Velvet is a fantastic option if you’re looking to create a more grand, traditional style bedroom. They can be more suited to traditional looking styles like goblet pleat and twin pinch curtains.

Velvet is thick, heavy, and luxurious, meaning it offers excellent light blocking, insulation, and sound dampening. The fabric catches light differently, creating a beautiful contrast of light and shadow on the fabric, which enhances the overall aesthetic of the room.

How to pick the right colour curtains for your bedroom

“I regularly tell clients to consider “Why” they want new curtains and blinds.” Says our Design Consultant Lara.

“For many people getting window dressing is just another thing to tick off a list and such an easy thing to get wrong. Taking it back to “why” hone in our choices and decisions more appropriately.“

According to the psychology of colour, what colour your bedroom curtains are can impact how you feel in that space and the overall atmosphere of the room.

What colour you choose depends on how you want to feel in your bedroom. For example green and blues can be calming, whereas red can be more romantic. According to Calm, the best bedroom colours to promote sleep include blue, green, white and light grey, cream or light pink. This is because each of these colours can evoke calmness, cleanliness or comfort.

In addition, colours like red or purple could be too overstimulating for peaceful sleep and blacks or dark browns could make spaces feel smaller or gloomy.

Ultimately, it’s completely down to personal preference and your own style. What might be too bold for some might be perfectly calming to others. We’ve picked out some popular choices based on our experience below:

Blue

Blue is a popular bedroom curtain colour and can encompass calming and more relaxed feelings. This colour is frequently used in bedrooms and home offices.

According to a study by Travelodge, households that have blue bedrooms have the best nights sleep when compared to any other colour. If opting for blue curtains in your bedroom, we recommend choosing light blues like sky blue to give your bedroom a sense of serenity.

Green

Green is meant to symbolise nature, growth, and renewal. It is associated with good health and prosperity. This colour can be quite soothing and is often used to create a sense of balance and harmony.There are also many shades of green, from soft pastels to deep forest tones, allowing you to choose a hue that fits your personal style and the overall decor of your room.

Beiges or greys

Beige and grey are also great options when it comes to bedroom curtain colours. Their muted shades make them a perfect option for making your room cosy and inviting.

Beige curtains can warm and soften the look of your entire room which makes it comfortable and appealing. Meanwhile, grey can be soothing and undistracting. Beige and grey will blend seamlessly with most other colour schemes, meaning that your bedroom could be more versatile in terms of style and design vs those with bolder coloured curtains.

Picking the best curtains from your bedroom

By now, you should have a better idea of how to pick the best material, style and colour curtains for your bedroom. While the decision is almost always down to your bedroom style and specific preferences, there are a few key takeaways:

• Colours like blue, green and muted tones can promote better sleep vs vivid colours like red and orange.
• Blackout curtains are a popular option due to their light blocking capabilities, but cotton curtains may be more appropriate for contemporary bedrooms or budget-conscious homeowners.
• Curtain styles are down to personal preference, but certain styles like Pinch pleat curtains could promote better light blocking

If you are looking for a local curtain supplier in Bath, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas, Axford Interiors are well suited to help you pick out the best curtains for your bedroom and create the ultimate sleeping environment. Please reach out to our team today should you have any questions.

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