Trending Now - Curtains in Open Plan Living Spaces
Whether you like heavy drapes or soft sheers that billow in the breeze, curtains can be used to frame a window, layer a room or add warmth, movement and texture. Traditionally kept to bedrooms and formal living areas, there’s a growing trend for sheer and motorised curtains in open-plan living spaces. There is a shift to using curtains as a design device, not just a decorative element. Previous trends for curtains focused on them being a feature within a space, whether by bold fabric or heavy treatment The trend apparent now is their use as a tool to enhance the design of a space along with the views beyond. Contemporary, open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas can look fantastic with a sheer curtain to soften the link between inside and outside.
The only rule? Curtains should always touch the floor!
The only rule? Curtains should always touch the floor!

Colours and texture
The most style-savvy homeowners are embracing muted colours and floral-inspired prints. There is a shift towards ‘beautiful’ fabrics and a softness that moves us away from minimalism. Organic grey shades now offer a modern update on cream and white and richer hues can be introduced to complement a room’s colour palette.
Expect to see more ethnic influences and natural imperfections in fabrics.
The most style-savvy homeowners are embracing muted colours and floral-inspired prints. There is a shift towards ‘beautiful’ fabrics and a softness that moves us away from minimalism. Organic grey shades now offer a modern update on cream and white and richer hues can be introduced to complement a room’s colour palette.
Expect to see more ethnic influences and natural imperfections in fabrics.

Wider Curtains
Overall, curtains are getting longer and wider to accommodate the trend to make windows appear larger in scale.
Updated Sheers
Yes, sheers are still popular but they are a world away from the fussy, frilly and lacy ones that the word sheer brings to mind. The "new" sheers have subtle iridescence and are interwoven with unexpected materials, or have embossed or printed patterns or contemporary headings such as S Fold or Ripple Fold.
Overall, curtains are getting longer and wider to accommodate the trend to make windows appear larger in scale.
Updated Sheers
Yes, sheers are still popular but they are a world away from the fussy, frilly and lacy ones that the word sheer brings to mind. The "new" sheers have subtle iridescence and are interwoven with unexpected materials, or have embossed or printed patterns or contemporary headings such as S Fold or Ripple Fold.

Tone on tone
This look is classical and never goes out of fashion!
Keep the curtains simple, harmonious with the walls, and allow the view and the room to shine. If you want restful choose solid colour with texture and keep to the colour tones in the room.
Banding
Vertical or horizontal banding is popular in both curtains and Roman blinds.
This look is classical and never goes out of fashion!
Keep the curtains simple, harmonious with the walls, and allow the view and the room to shine. If you want restful choose solid colour with texture and keep to the colour tones in the room.
Banding
Vertical or horizontal banding is popular in both curtains and Roman blinds.

Roman Shades
Roman shades continue as a favourite for all styles of homes. Who can resist their clean lines and the options for amazing patterns. Because they are a flat construction, upscale your fabric choice and make a real statement. I can't say enough about Roman shades because they are my personal favourite. Their flat surfaces are almost picture like and work especially well in small windows with beautiful architraves to frame the blind. They are the perfect solution in a room that has a combination of different shaped windows – co-ordinate the Roman blind in a small window back to a curtain on a big window – or use both on the same window!
Roman shades continue as a favourite for all styles of homes. Who can resist their clean lines and the options for amazing patterns. Because they are a flat construction, upscale your fabric choice and make a real statement. I can't say enough about Roman shades because they are my personal favourite. Their flat surfaces are almost picture like and work especially well in small windows with beautiful architraves to frame the blind. They are the perfect solution in a room that has a combination of different shaped windows – co-ordinate the Roman blind in a small window back to a curtain on a big window – or use both on the same window!

Metal Blinds Return
Who thought we would see resurgence in metal blinds? It's begun and is driven by the popularity of stainless appliances, other metals especially bronze and industrial style loft living.
Who thought we would see resurgence in metal blinds? It's begun and is driven by the popularity of stainless appliances, other metals especially bronze and industrial style loft living.

Roller Blinds
In line with global textile trends, organic textures are big news in blind design. We’re seeing a swing away from the more technical fabrics – they tend to lack character and can have a flat appearance – in favour of fabrics that feature interesting textures. There is also a ‘back to nature’ trend, with linen looks and softer fabrics in neutral palettes.” Stronger- coloured blinds are on the radar too.
By Coleen Radford
In line with global textile trends, organic textures are big news in blind design. We’re seeing a swing away from the more technical fabrics – they tend to lack character and can have a flat appearance – in favour of fabrics that feature interesting textures. There is also a ‘back to nature’ trend, with linen looks and softer fabrics in neutral palettes.” Stronger- coloured blinds are on the radar too.
By Coleen Radford