What To Avoid When Choosing Window Treatments
Fashion is fleeting, so the saying goes; even when it comes to window treatments, there are seasonal trends in colours and styles.
If you’re not the type to change your curtains with the season, you’ll want something that goes beyond what is hot right now. In the words of the French fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent, “fashion fades, style is eternal”.
His mantra is not just useful when applied to the world of haute couture and models on catwalks; it can apply to how you decorate your home. Window treatments are no exception.
We’ve pulled together some of the fashion trends to avoid if you’re looking for long-lasting, timeless elegance.
Why should you avoid floral or lace curtains?
When cottagecore took over as an interior design aesthetic in the late 2010s, there was a rush on floral, lace and chintz fabrics. When the pandemic forced everyone to stay at home, many wanted the comfort of a rural idyll that doesn’t exist in the real world.
Café-style checked curtains, which cover the lower half of a window, came back into fashion, along with ornate and delicate florals for longer curtains. Sadly, the fantasy didn’t last, and neither did the overly fussy curtain styles.
The Spruce magazine named floral and café-style curtains as one to avoid in 2026.
What to choose instead
Instead, go for simplicity and functionality in your curtain fabrics and patterns. Elegance never goes out of fashion, and quality, made-to-measure curtains can never look dated.
Shade your windows with full-length colour, either bold with intense hues to match statement art or furniture. Or keep it understated with a more neutral tone that doesn’t distract or overwhelm the room.
Fabric choice should not be left unconsidered, cottons and linens for light and simple looks, or choose wool for warmth. For those looking for a little luxury, velvet or silk can give the room a sense of opulence and indulgence.
Why avoid vinyl blinds?
The mid-20th century advantages of cheap PVC do not mean that we should still be using plastic as a window treatment. Invented as a more economical version of wood blinds, vinyl blinds come in limited colourways, mostly white, and either vertical or horizontal.
While functional and good at filtering bright light, the plastic appearance can look dated and reminiscent of office buildings. Add to that, their discolouration over time, potential for breaking and being a nightmare to dust!
What to do instead
Roman blinds, folded ready to cascade across the window, can give a much softer, less nine-to-five look to your home. Made of fabric, they are an elegant solution for both privacy and filtering daylight, and can be raised and lowered as needed.
The uncomplicated technology involved in Roman shades means they are less likely to end up broken, on a tilt or look generally unsightly. Options for operating include cord and cleat systems or headrail and chain systems. They can also be motorised with a remote.
For fabric choice, sheer, lightweight linens or silks can provide shade while diffusing natural light into the room. Bespoke cotton-lined and blackout versions of Roman blinds are available for blocking out daylight or the brightness of London traffic.
The aesthetic appeal and visual charm of a neatly-folded Roman blind cannot be dismissed, and neither can its functionality. There is a reason this style of window treatment has lasted for thousands of years.
Why should you avoid extra-long curtains?
Floor-length curtains made with several inches of extra fabric can provide a sumptuous, theatrical vibe, but they have some big disadvantages.
Called pooling curtains due to the amount of additional fabric that gathers at the foot, these are heavy to move and difficult to maintain, not to mention a magnet for dust and pet hair. Designers are rejecting the long luxe curtains and going for more practical options.
What to do instead
Although pooling curtains have had their moment in the sun, their time has now passed. Instead, plumb for a perfect fit with made-to-measure curtains in a fabric that balances the room well.
Avoid the trip hazard of a pool of fabric at the window by opting for curtains that stop just above the floor. That quarter inch or two of space can mean even the heaviest of velvet curtains can be manoeuvred easily without dragging along the carpet.
Full-length curtains are a very practical addition to your décor, providing excellent thermal insulation and shade from daylight. A high-end luxurious solution to window treatments, full-length curtains give visual height to the space without being overly dramatic.
Being a bespoke window treatment, there’s no risk of ill-fitting curtains that leave a gap in the centre, or have too few or too many pleats. The choice of fitting is entirely up to you, too, allowing you to create the perfect complement to your desired aesthetic.