When it comes to designing our homes, we all become interior design gurus!
Curtains are an important yet often overlooked part of our home's interior design - they are a big part of any room's decor, and the curtains you choose can define the entire look of a home.
However, curtains are more than a piece of an interior design puzzle! They can actually say a lot about our personality - who we are, what we like and what we stand for. We've taken a look through popular curtain designs and trends over the decades that are still commonly found today and tried to establish what these trends say about our personalities. Here is what we discovered:
1950’s: Optimistic and Enthusiastic
Usually seen in bright or pastel tones, such as bright pink, turquoise, mint green, and yellow, 1950s curtains were a statement of optimism and enthusiasm toward the future.
Touched by a variety of cultures and trends, curtains took different styles and patterns, with the most popular ones being bold floral prints, geometric shapes and abstract designs inspired by science and technology.
Most curtains in this era were made from thick and heavy fabrics, this offered privacy and also kept out the light during the day and the cold during winter. Hanging from ceiling to floor, the 1950 pinch-pleated curtains created a homey atmosphere, being both practical and fancy.
If you love the 1950s curtain styles, this suggests that you are a very optimistic and enthusiastic person, potentially the one your friends go to when they need a pep talk! You likely love colourful and patterned designs in both interiors and fashion and love to stand out from a crowd but also be cosy in your home.
1960’s: Open and Practical
The 1960 curtains were a complete statement of the time, mostly influenced by the iconic hippie movement. They had neon, bright colours and daring patterns - they were full of personality! Paisley patterns seemed to be a favourite, as were curtains in intense yellow and green colours, mixed with bright red, tangerine orange and aqua blues. In the 60s, curtains were seen as a way to make a statement and show support for the changing times.
As fabric became more affordable, homeowners went for higher-quality materials, such as cotton, nylon and polyester. Although this allowed more light into the room, they were easy to maintain and enabled them to double curtains fullness. During the 1960s, aluminium Venetian blinds and light-blocking drapes over curtains became popular as well.
If you have any of the 60s curtains trends in your home, this suggests that you are always open to embracing new styles (whether we’re talking about social movements or curtains.) Also, you tend to be very practical when choosing your home decor, keeping in mind that comfort is a very important part of everyday life.
1970’s: Bold & Curious
The best word to describe curtains in the 1970s is ‘bold’ - the colours and patterns were loud and expressive, inspired by the ‘70s psychedelia. The Disco era left a mark in each home, with metallic curtains, futuristic fabrics with fringe and floral patterns. On the other end of the spectrum, the natural look was also quite popular during the decade, so neutral-coloured curtains were also featured and decorated with natural elements, such as woods, beads, and shells.
Curtains were usually made of linen or burlap in the 70s and tended to be paired with big wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor draperies. The ‘70s also went through a Bohemian curtain phase, with loose chiffon and cotton curtains being paired with tie-dye prints.
So, if you’re into the 1970s curtain style, you can definitely be described as a bold character who is always interested in learning more and being part of alternative lifestyles and cultures. Your curiosity goes so deep you can spot it in the tiniest details of your home decor.
1980’s: Private and Creative
Trends have always made a return, including curtain styles. The ‘80s marked a big return to the ‘50s decor, with dainty florals, stripes, and geometric patterns in soft tones. Another popular trend in this era was having a combo of blue and white curtains, or Aluminum mini-blinds and vertical blinds.
This decade was also marked by the revival of the English Country House style, which brought a distinct and stylish sense of personality into any home and is a trend we still see today!
If you’re a fan of blinds, as those in the 80s were, it is safe to say you are a private person with a high sense of practicality. Also, choosing a style that was extremely popular in the past, such as the English Country House style, can be a way to connect with a sense of nostalgia - adding a twist to reoccurring trends suggests you are a creative individual.
1990’s: Minimalist and Romantic
Curtains in the 1990s were relatively minimalistic, leaning into soft colours and romantic, country-style designs. The curtains' colours were mostly pale pink, lavender, baby blue and mint green and the fabric was sheer, allowing the natural light to enter the homes.
However, like always, floral prints remained a popular style in homes. Valances - decorative fabric treatments that were hung above the window frame - were hugely popular during this decade, as well as tiebacks which were used to hold back the curtains.
If you enjoy the soft, romantic and simple styles of the 1990s, you can be characterised as a minimalist, meaning that you will almost certainly go for simplicity and a monochromatic palette with colours used only as accents. It may also suggest that you are a romantic soul striving to create an intimate look within your home.
2000’s: Open-minded and Adaptable
The noughties preserved the minimalist trend of the previous decade, curtains were pretty simple and plain in design with solid colour choices and sheer fabrics. As the decade progressed, bold prints started to become popular with large floral, geometric patterns and stripes making a comeback, adding a personality twist to any room.
However, the 2000s saw a huge increase in the use of natural materials such as cotton, bamboo and linen - being eco-friendly became hugely popular. Also, this decade saw a lot of technological development, and this even crossed into curtains with many evolving to have motorised controls and light-filtering abilities.
The 2000s were a time of change and if you like the curtain styles of this decade, you most definitely are an opened-minded and adaptable person that isn’t afraid to explore new things, whether that’s technology or home decor.
2023: Bold is back!
As we’ve already seen, curtain styles (just like any other trends) always make a comeback.
It looks like 2023 could be the year of bold prints making a comeback, with curtains that have floral, geometric and abstract patterns being seen more and more. Earthy tones, such as beige, tan and rust will are also a current favourite, that we can see becoming increasingly popular.
In terms of fabrics, 2023's most popular textures are linen, cotton and silk, all of which add some extra comfort and style to living spaces. Sheer curtains are making a comeback this year as well, particularly in colours such as white, ivory, or green, highlighting the ongoing desire for a connection between the house and the outdoors.
It appears that the overall feel people are wanting to achieve with their curtains is simplicity, suggesting that people are currently enjoying being more simplistic, but with a touch of flair.
Our chosen curtain styles have always expressed our personal style and captured the atmosphere of the time. After looking into 70 years of curtain trends, it’s safe to say that each curtain trend is a mirror of its time and certainly reflects people’s personalities and values during that era.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that design trends and personal tastes are highly subjective, so they might not necessarily describe everybody's personality. The most important factor in choosing the perfect curtains for your home is down to what goes with the interior, your taste, and your needs.
What do you think your current curtains say about you - do they reflect your personality?
