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Short answer
Start with what stays: the walls, the floor and the sofa. Curtains a shade or two darker than the walls make a calm room that looks larger; a colour taken from the sofa or rug ties the room together; a contrasting colour makes the window the feature. Check samples by day and under your own lights, choose mid-tones for sunny windows because they hide fading, and remember the back of the curtain is what the street sees.
Three ways to choose a colour
| Approach | Effect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Match the walls, a shade or two darker | Calm; the room looks bigger and the window blends in | Small rooms, bedrooms, condos |
| Take a colour from the sofa, rug or art | Pulls the room together | Living and dining rooms |
| Contrast | The window becomes the feature | Large windows, rooms with plain walls and furniture |
If you are unsure, the first approach is the safest, and a textured fabric in a near-wall colour still adds interest.
Colours that suit Malaysian homes
- Warm neutrals: ivory, sand, greige and taupe suit most homes and every style, and hide dust and fading well.
- Cool greys and blues: calm and modern; good in west-facing rooms that feel hot in the afternoon.
- Greens: sage, olive and forest green bring the outdoors in and suit Japandi and resort styles.
- Deep colours: navy, charcoal and emerald make a bedroom cosy and a dimout darker, but fade sooner in strong sun.
Large plain ranges make it easy to find the exact shade: LAUREN comes in 68 colourways, CALLIE sheer in 62 and COMO in 61.
Light changes colour
A colour can look completely different at noon and at night. Daylight in Malaysia is bright and fairly cool; warm-white lamps (around 3000K) make colours yellower and softer, and cool-white lamps (around 5000K and above) make them bluer and sharper.
Tip
Pin a large sample at the window and look at it in the morning, the afternoon and at night with the lights on. Choose the colour that works at the time of day you use the room most.
Sun, fading and heat
- Mid-tones hide fading best. Very dark and very bright colours show it first.
- Dark colours absorb heat. On a west-facing window, a dark curtain warms up in the afternoon sun.
- Line sun-facing curtains. A lining takes the sun instead of the face fabric. See Curtain Lining.
See Light-Fastness Explained for how fading is rated.
Choosing a sheer colour
| Sheer | Effect |
|---|---|
| White | Crisp, bright and cool; can look blue-white in shade |
| Ivory or cream | Warm and soft; flatters skin tones and warm lighting |
| Grey or taupe | Cuts glare more and hides dust; calmer light |
| Colour | Tints the whole room's light; use with care |
See Sheer Curtains for more on sheers.
What the street sees
From outside, people see the back of your curtains, or their lining. A white or neutral lining keeps the outside of the house or condo neat, whatever colour you choose inside. Some condominiums have rules on the colour seen from outside, so check before ordering a bright unlined curtain.
Good to know
Coated blackouts usually have a pale, plain back. That is one reason they look tidy from the street even when the face colour is dark.
Pattern or plain?
A plain curtain in the right colour is the most flexible choice and outlasts changes of cushions and paint. If the walls and sofa are plain, a patterned curtain can carry the room. See Check, Stripe and Plaid Curtains and Floral and Damask Curtain Fabric.
Frequently asked questions
Should curtains be lighter or darker than the walls?
Usually a shade or two darker, which gives the window definition while keeping the room calm. For a feature window, choose a contrasting colour instead.
What colour curtains go with a grey sofa?
Soft white, ivory, a lighter or darker grey, or a muted colour such as sage, blue or blush taken from cushions or art.
What curtain colour makes a room look bigger?
A colour close to the walls, hung from the ceiling to the floor and wider than the window, so the curtain blends in and the walls seem to continue.
Do dark curtains make a room hotter?
A dark curtain absorbs more sun heat on a sunny window, so it gets warmer. A pale lining or a coated blackout back reflects more of it.
What colour sheer curtains are best?
Ivory or cream for warm, soft light; white for a crisp, bright look; grey or taupe to cut glare. Look at samples in your own room.
Why does my curtain look a different colour at night?
Lamps change how colour reads. Warm-white bulbs make colours yellower and softer, and cool-white bulbs make them bluer. Check samples under your own lights.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.