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Short answer
Start with a palette of two or three colours and repeat each at least twice in the room. Keep the largest surfaces, usually the sofa and curtains, plain or textured, and bring pattern in on cushions and smaller pieces, mixing one larger pattern with a smaller one. Combine matt with a little sheen, and check every fabric together, in the room, before ordering.
Where do you start?
- Start with what is hardest to change: the floor, the sofa or a large rug.
- Pick a palette of two or three colours from it, plus a neutral.
- Use the 60-30-10 idea as a guide: about 60% main colour (walls, floor, largest pieces), 30% second colour (curtains or sofa), 10% accent (cushions, a chair, a throw).
- Repeat each colour at least twice, so nothing looks stranded.
See Curtain Colours for choosing the curtain colour itself.
How do you combine plain, texture and pattern?
| Scheme | Sofa | Curtains | Cushions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calm | Plain | Textured, in a near-wall colour | Pattern picking up the sofa colour |
| Classic | Plain or textured | Pattern, such as a damask or stripe | Plain, in the curtain's accent colour |
| Relaxed | Textured weave | Linen-look plain | Mix of a check and a small print |
| Bold | Plain in a strong colour | Plain neutral | Two patterns at different scales |
- Vary the scale: one large pattern, one medium and one small or a texture.
- Pair pattern types: florals sit well with stripes and checks; geometrics sit well with textures.
- Two or three patterns are usually enough for one room.
See Check, Stripe and Plaid Curtains and Floral and Damask Curtain Fabric.
Should curtains match the sofa?
Coordinate rather than match. The same fabric on sofa and curtains can look flat; a shared colour in a different texture or weight usually looks richer.
- Curtains that blend with the walls make a room feel larger and let the sofa stand out.
- Curtains that pick up the sofa or cushion colour tie the room together.
- On a double track, keep the sheer neutral and let the main curtain carry the colour. See Layered Curtains.
- Using curtain offcuts for cushions is a simple way to link the window and the seating.
Large plain ranges make coordinating easier: dimouts such as LAUREN and COMO and the sheer CALLIE each come in dozens of colourways.
How do you mix sheen and texture?
- Pair a velvet with a matt linen-look or flat weave, so the velvet's sheen stands out.
- Add one bouclé or chenille for touch; too many deep textures can look heavy.
- Avoid a room of all-shiny fabrics; a mix of matt and sheen reads as considered.
How do you test a scheme before ordering?
Put large cuttings of every fabric together in the room, roughly in proportion: a big piece for the curtains and sofa, a small one for cushions. Look at them by day and at night under your own lights. See How to Compare Fabric Samples at Home.
Frequently asked questions
Should curtains match the sofa?
Coordinate rather than match: share a colour, but use a different texture or weight so the room does not look flat.
How many patterns can you use in one room?
Usually two or three, at different scales, held together by a shared colour.
Can curtains and cushions be the same fabric?
Yes. Cushions from the curtain fabric are a simple way to link the window and the seating.
What curtains go with a grey sofa?
Warm neutrals such as ivory, greige or stone soften grey; a colour from the cushions or rug adds interest. Check samples in the room.
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.