Velvet Curtains Are the Year's Biggest Window Treatment Trend

If you've been scrolling through Instagram lately, it's hard to miss this new decorating trend. Velvet drapes are everywhere! Whether featured by favorite home bloggers or in the latest home decor collections, velvet curtains are adding texture and style to living rooms near and far.

Velvet curtains continue a long line of furniture upholstered in the same material, including sofas, chairs, and ottomans, which have been popular throughout the past few years. This ongoing home trend could be thanks to the cozy Scandinavian way of life, hygge, which is all about comfort. It also could be influenced by fashion trends, as home décor often reflects the runway.

Fans of Chris Loves Julia, a decorating and lifestyle blog, will recognize velvet drapes from one of their most recent mini home projects. The design duo installed velvet drapes in their bedroom to frame a window that was slightly off-center. For extra drama, they used two curtain panels on either side of the window, so even when closed, the drapes cover the expanse of the wall.

And the best part? Velvet curtains are surprisingly inexpensive. Even high-end brands like West Elm sell velvet drapes for $39.99. Other retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond and Wayfair have a variety of affordable velvet drapes in different colors and sizes. The new spring Pottery Barn collection with bridal fashion designer Monique Lhuillier carries velvet trim curtains in white and navy.

Image courtesy of Pottery Barn

If you are thinking about adding velvet drapes to your home, there are a few things you should consider. For starters, velvet is a thick fabric, so don't expect morning light to shine through. This makes them ideal for a basement or bedroom, but perhaps not in a sunroom or kitchen.

When hanging velvet curtains, the bigger and bolder, the better. Velvet is already such a luxurious fabric. Dressing a wall ceiling to floor will enhance that feeling. Plus, extending the length of your curtains to match the height of the room will make your space appear larger. And you'll want to choose a curtain rod with enough weight to balance the heavy curtains.

Cleaning velvet drapes can be tricky, too. Velvet, especially if it's dark, shows debris easily, so be prepared to dust often with a soft bristle brush or a velvet brush. Always brush in the direction of the pile. Small spills can be cleaned immediately by dabbing with an absorbent rag. Continue to dab with a mixture of mild detergent and warm water until the stain is gone and let air dry.

Thanks to its affordable price point and versatile color palette, this décor trend is one we hope sticks around. Whether you're a fan of midcentury-modern or stick to traditional style, velvet drapes will easily blend with your existing decor.