I'm painting my office... What color drapes to use?

Question

I'm getting ready to paint my office. There is a chair rail, and the top half will be a dusty blue, and the bottom half will be a pretty dark gray color. The desk, bookcase, shelves etc. are white. I have used B&W pictures in the room. I want solid curtains, but what color? Do I try and do the "designer" thing and use a completely different color that anything else in the room (like fuschia or red), or should I just go with something simple, like a lighter gray or blue? Or should I look for printed curtains that complement the room colors?

Yes, it's the office in my house... Not a place of business!

Answer 1

Consider a dark charcoal color for your curtains. It has all the elements to ground all of your colors together and will fit in nicely.

Most designers that have any sense will not suggest fuschia with this room.... and only red if you are planning on doing the room feng shui...

The only other option I can see (without seeing a picture of the room) is to opt for some really nice white-on-white curtains. They are curtains that are all white but have a pattern in them in white (usually a shinier white than the rest of the material).

Unless you have something that leans towards gold in the room.... then you could do a goldish color curtain, which could look really nice.

Enjoy your new home office!

Answer 2

The Tinypic DID work, and I like what's in it. But the color should at least be a bit brighter, preferably a nice bright lemon or light sky blue; for that carpet and the furnishings, I'd say yellow would be best and that would be nice and sunny and reflect all that light from the window. (Could that be why the color is so subdued? An antidote to balance things?) On the other hand, a powdery sky blue would be a good soft color that would go with the dark woods and feel relaxing, too, particularly with a few yellows and pinks around to add to it; some sweet drapes and scarves (lace?) to contrast with the browns. And although a turquoise bathroom is fine, a white one always feels fresher, preferably with pinks or yellows.

Answer 3

What color is the floor? Chairs?
I suggest you try to match the dusty blue, and keep drapes basic. Maybe silver tiebacks, if you were planning to use them.
Or, black or blue toile.
Or blue on blue, or white on white fabric.
Sounds like you already have a good start in pix, etc.
Try some brushed chrome lamps, and planter [ rubber, ficus, etc. ]
Silver, blue, or chrome accessories will look great. Add a candle, and a family desk photo.
[If you do decide to add a color, consider: raspberry, cherry, or coral. ]

Answer 4

Your choice of colors are the hottest new colors in decorating, decorators call them "swedish blues".

For a classy, french feel: metallic champagne or warm silver curtains.

For a vintage, chic feel: white silk and/or sheer curtains.

For an art deco feel: purple and red print.

For a beach feel: sandy or taupe curtains.

the black and white photos will fit in with any of these.

Accent in crystal and or white glass ware.
Remember to include at least ONE thing in the room that reflects light. Whether a mirror or glass orbs, glass table top, etc.

Answer 5

You say you are getting ready to paint. And you want a solid color for the drapes I'd try to match the dusty blue.

Answer 6

how about stripes vertically with the blue in a silk-like material and the gray in a heavier texture. Contrast add interest to a room and since this is an office, it will be subtle.

Answer 7

When you say your office, is it an office that others will enter?You need to think of stimulation, where clients are concerned.You want to be awake, but not overstay ones welcome. So your curtains don't need to be too plain and pastel. If your windows are large, then an abstract print sounds good. If small then The lighter or silver grey sounds good.

Answer 8

It sounds really nice. I think a nice print of the colours in the room would sort of tie everything together but not flowers. that would be too informal for an office. Happy hunting!

Answer 9

If it is a private office, print might be nice. If you have customers in the office, then more decorum is needed. Your idea of gray or blue will look great.

Answer 10

I would go with jet black or a very dark charcoal gray.

If you weren't using b&w pictures, I would say chocolate brown.

White would work, too, since you have white furniture.