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Short answer
Match curtains to the floor's undertone rather than its exact colour. Warm wood floors suit warm neutrals and earthy colours; cool marble and grey tiles suit crisp whites, greys and soft blues. Either echo the floor for a calm, blended room, or contrast with it for definition, and use texture and a rug to tie the two together.
Which curtains suit each floor?
| Floor | Undertone | Curtains that work |
|---|---|---|
| Light oak and pale timber | Warm | Ivory, oatmeal, sage, linen-look; Japandi schemes |
| Dark wood and walnut | Warm, deep | Cream for contrast, or rust, olive and deep green |
| White or grey marble | Cool | Crisp white, soft grey, champagne; velvet for a glamorous look |
| Beige marble and travertine | Warm | Sand, ivory, taupe, muted gold |
| Grey tiles and cement | Cool | White, grey, slate, dusty blue |
| Terrazzo | Mixed | Pick one colour from the chips and keep curtains plain |
| Wood-look vinyl | Usually warm | As for the wood it imitates |
Should curtains match or contrast with the floor?
- Blend: curtains a few shades lighter than the floor make a calm, spacious room.
- Contrast: pale curtains over a dark floor, or dark curtains over a pale floor, give definition and drama.
- Avoid an exact match, which can look flat; vary the shade or texture.
- Walls first: curtains usually relate more closely to the walls; the floor sets the undertone. See How to Choose Curtain Colours.
How do texture and length help?
- Hard, shiny floors such as marble and polished tiles look softer with textured or linen-look curtains. See Linen-Look Curtains.
- Velvet pairs with marble for a hotel-style look. See Velvet Curtains.
- Floor-length curtains about 1 cm above the floor connect the window and floor visually. See How Long Should Curtains Be?
- A rug that picks up both the floor and curtain colours ties the room together.
Tip
Lay a curtain sample on the floor beside the window and look at both in daylight and at night before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
What colour curtains go with wood floors?
Warm neutrals and earthy colours: ivory, oatmeal, sage and olive with light wood; cream for contrast with dark wood.
What curtains suit marble floors?
Crisp white, soft grey or champagne with cool marble; sand and taupe with beige marble. Velvet gives a glamorous look.
Should curtains match the floor?
Match the undertone, not the exact colour. Blend for calm, or contrast for definition.
Should curtains match the walls or the floor?
Usually the walls more closely, with the floor setting the warm or cool undertone.
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.