Trust Me, Your Home Needs Drapes in 2026 – And Designers Agree These 6 Curtain Trends Are Charming Without Looking Outdated
From pelmet curtains to layered window treatments, watch out for these 6 curtain trends, as designers say they'll be big in 2026
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Twice a week
Homes&Gardens
The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.
Once a week
In The Loop from Next In Design
Members of the Next in Design Circle will receive In the Loop, our weekly email filled with trade news, names to know and spotlight moments. Together we’re building a brighter design future.
Twice a week
Cucina
Whether you’re passionate about hosting exquisite dinners, experimenting with culinary trends, or perfecting your kitchen's design with timeless elegance and innovative functionality, this newsletter is here to inspire
Despite their rather lengthy hiatus, statement drapes are truly having a moment in the world of interiors. While the reign of the more streamlined window treatment (like the over-popular chik and Roman blind) isn't entirely over, like all interior design trends, once-loved fashions are making a comeback. Curtains' nostalgic, whimsical nature is something designers are appreciating once again in 2026.
Known for their more traditional charm, curtains might have once been dubbed old-fashioned, but their historic elegance is being celebrated once again this year. Able to enhance windows in one elegant sweep, there are plenty of refreshing ways to bring curtains into your home in 2026 that stray much further from your grandma's fusty floral drapes.
1. Layered Curtains
A sheer linen café curtain allows light to trickle into this eclectic living room, whilst the heavier drapes are perfect for creating privacy come evening.
While heavy curtains are the answer to a room in need of some privacy, they can feel a little stuffy, often preventing light from gently filtering through during the daytime. This is where the ever-popular window treatment trend comes into play: the layered curtain.
Interior designer Lauren Robbins says, 'Layers are the word for our firm for 2026. When it comes to drapery panels and curtain installations, these layers are the additional piece that allows our rooms to feel truly curated. We have several projects where we are doing two layers of drapery panels – sheers for light filtering, followed by a separate layer of panels for color, pattern and texture. This gives clients the ability to have curtains that serve multiple purposes.'
If you're looking to avoid the bulky feel of thick curtains, opting for a layered look might be for you. A delicate drape like Anthropologie's Cotton Embroidered Floral Edge Cafe Curtains, paired with your sturdier curtain of choice, like the Pieced Stripe Cotton Blend Woven Blackout Curtain, will give you the best of both worlds without compromising your interior design style.
2. Door Curtains
A striped door curtain creates a whimsical feel in this country-style entryway.
While door curtains are a long-loved way to enhance architecture (and keep old houses warm), they're making a return to interiors this year. The perfect way to channel the ever-popular dramatic drapery trend, door curtains create immediate impact and grandeur. Curtain company founder Tori Murphy says, 'Door curtains are a simple yet transformative addition to a space, helping keep warmth in and bringing a sense of character to the home in 2026.'
'Soft patterns such as classic stripes that add character without overwhelming the space are perennial favorites,' adds Tori. 'For the details, a cottage pleat header or a double pinch pleat gives the curtain a more interesting shape, and a finishing touch of velvet piping or braided rope trim keeps the design current.'
Printed with a whimsical floral, the Calista curtain is a timeless choice for any front entrance, designed to enhance all architecture.
A vintage-style floral jacquard, the Soter curtain is enduringly chic; it's the perfect choice for a space in need of some character.
Perfect for cheering up an entryway or alcove, it's hard to resist this charming pair of gingham curtains.
3. Coordinated Curtains
The headboard has been upholstered in the same botanical print as the drapes in this charming bedroom.
A simple yet impactful way to give an interior an accomplished feel, designers are matching curtains with other accents within their design this year. Whether it's a simple throw pillow or a more statement headboard made from the same fabric, expect to see plenty of unity within room design in 2026.
Cath Beckett, co-founder of Yellow London, explains, 'Matching your curtain fabric to adjacent elements such as wallpaper is something we’ve incorporated throughout several projects and have seen gain traction this year. Coordinating headboards, cushions, or lampshades creates a cohesive, layered look that feels rich in character.'
'Expressive curtains with bold colors and patterns are also a staple design which is likely to remain popular as there is renewed interest for playful interiors.'
Lulu and Georgia's painterly stripe couldn't be more charming. A way to make a window feel longer, it encourages the eye upwards.
Create a cohesive feel by matching your drapes with your wallpaper. The painterly stripe range includes a blush-toned wallpaper, perfect for framing any space.
For a small but mighty dose of pattern that matches the Painterly Stripe curtains, add this striped bolster pillow to the center of your bed.
4. Soft and Sheer Drapes
A sheer cafe curtain allows light to trickle into this serene bathroom, all-important in a room for getting ready.
Sheer window treatments aren't exactly a new trend, but that's not to say they won't be a firm presence in interiors this year. Whether it's a natural linen curtain that seamlessly blends into the background or a nostalgic lace curtain hung above your kitchen window, sheer curtains are perfect for spaces in need of a little light.
Emily Mould, Director of Design at The Romo Group, says, 'Texture and the importance of natural light take centre stage this year. Expect to see sheers and semi-sheers used to add depth and dimension to interiors, allowing spaces to feel soft, layered and effortlessly curated. Subtle tonal variations and irregular, chunky yarns bring a relaxed yet considered aesthetic.'
Emily adds, 'Style these pieces by focusing on layering and contrast. Pair sheers or semi-sheers with opaque, heavier-weight drapes or blinds to create depth while maintaining flexibility with light. Keep the palette soft and tonal to allow texture to lead, and use irregular or chunky yarns alongside smoother finishes to avoid the space feeling flat.'
Delicately embroidered, this charming pair of cafe curtains will instantly uplift a kitchen or bathroom window.
Perfect for rooms in need of light, these elegant sheer curtains are simple yet classic and will stand proud for years.
Dainty and delicate, the Lena curtains are simple but so charming. Featuring a ribbon tie fastening, they're so easy to hang around a curtain pole.
5. Lovingly Lined Curtains
A floral cafe curtain brings a cohesive feel to this purple bathroom, lined on both sides to make the window truly shine.
While heavier drapes always feature a lining, it's rarer to see them don a striking fabric. Instead of the front being the star of the show, curtains lined with contrasting fabric bring attention to the back, too, instantly improving the external view.
A way to make both the front and back of the curtain stylish, lined curtains are a playful trend in 2026. Interior designer Lucy Marsh says, 'For a curtain at a French window or a blind which overlooks a terrace, I would quite often specify a striped or contrasting fabric for the lining so that when you see the curtains from the outside of the house, they still look pretty and patterned, rather than just seeing the plain lining fabric. A stripe or small motif fabric would be perfect in this situation.'
Tori agrees, 'For an extra considered detail, line the inside of the curtain with a stripe or check fabric to add a hidden layer of pattern and personality that reveals itself when the curtain moves.'
6. Pretty Pelmets
Rich and ruffled, the pelmet curtains only add to the grandeur of this sitting room, bringing a lived-in, romantic feel.
Curtain pelmets are making a comeback in 2026. A historic soft furnishing with tons of character, their whimsical feel might not be for everyone, but their ability to transform a window and catch the eye from afar makes them a hot commodity this year.
Lucy explains, 'In specific situations we also use a gathered pelmet, which can look very soft and pretty and is perfect for a bedroom. We have recently installed a pleated pelmet too, which worked beautifully in the morning room of a Georgian country house (pictured above).'
Cath says, 'They help frame the tall windows, hide the curtain hardware, and allow the curtains to hang smoothly, which enhances the room’s overall proportions. The curve of the pelmet softens the architecture and avoids the windows feeling overly formal, while the large-scale colorful pattern stops the design from tipping into something too traditional.'
Featuring a delicate ruffled layer, these woven curtains are a soft and simple choice for any living room or bedroom, designed to add subtle texture without overwhelming.
Sophisticated and elegant, the Rajaa curtains feature an added layer of fabric that'll frame your window, paying homage to the traditional pelmet.
Allowing light to filter through, these drop cloth curtains are masterfully pared back. Made from a linen blend, they're an understated way of transforming your window into a focal point.
Whether you're embracing the romance of a pelmet curtain or the delicate elegance of a sheer drape, these curtain trends will enhance any window, door, or alcove and bring a dose of subtle drama into your space.
