Velvet curtains have a reputation problem. People think they're too formal, too old-fashioned, too much.
They're wrong.
Velvet is texture. It's the difference between a room that looks assembled and a room that feels intentional. The fabric has weight - it hangs straight and heavy, catches light in a way that shifts throughout the day. It makes colors more interesting. And right now, it works in spaces that have nothing to do with Victorian parlors.
What Velvet Actually Is
Velvet doesn't try hard. That's the appeal.
The pile - those tiny vertical fibers - catches and reflects light differently than flat fabrics. Not in a sparkly way, but in a soft, shifting way. Grey velvet isn't just grey. Green doesn't sit flat. Colors have depth without being loud about it.
And the weight matters. Velvet hangs heavy and straight, no cheap-looking ripples or stiff folds. It looks like it belongs there.
Where Velvet Works
In a Living Room
Velvet curtains ground a space. If your living room is all hard surfaces - wood floors, leather couch, metal shelves - velvet softens it without making it precious. Charcoal or rust tones if you don't want to commit to bold color. Navy or forest green if you do.
In a Bedroom
This is where velvet makes sense without trying. Deep colors that would feel heavy in cotton - midnight blue, moss green, even black - just feel right here. The room gets quieter, more contained, more yours. It's the kind of space where you want to stay in bed an extra hour on Saturday.
In a Dining Room
People don't think about curtains here, but velvet makes dinners feel like events without the fuss of tablecloths and candles. Jewel tones work - emerald, burgundy, deep plum. The room feels more intentional, less "we eat here sometimes."
On Color and How to Style
If you're going velvet, don't waste it on beige. (Unless your whole place is beige, then fine, commit.)
Deep green works in almost any room that isn't already screaming for attention. It's moody without being dark. Pairs with brass, wood, white walls, black trim - pretty much everything.
Navy is the safe choice that doesn't look safe. Reads almost black at night, almost grey during the day. Works in modern spaces, traditional spaces, spaces that can't decide what they are.
Rust or terracotta if your style leans warm. Good with mid-century furniture, leather, plants, anything wood. Makes a room feel lived-in immediately.
Black is underrated. Sounds dramatic, but in practice it just makes everything else in the room look better. Especially good in small spaces - counterintuitive, but it works.
Blush or dusty rose if you want soft without being boring. Avoid anything too pink-pink unless that's your thing.
Of course, the color of the furniture you choose is only a successful one, a holistic sense of harmony and the combination of other elements, a little knowledge of color aesthetic knowledge, and a perfect homely color arrangement.
When Are Velvet Curtains the Smart Choice?
(Beyond the style thing)
Look, velvet happens to be good at practical stuff too. The thick fabric isn't just about texture - it actually does things.
If You Need Better Sleep
That dense pile blocks light. Not just "dims it a little" - actually blocks it. Early morning sun, streetlights, car headlights at 2 AM - velvet handles it. If you've been half-awake since sunrise, this might fix it.
If Your Home Is Noisy
Live on a busy street? Near a highway? Thin apartment walls? The weight and density of velvet absorbs sound in a way that thin cotton can't. It won't make your place silent, but it takes the edge off. Traffic becomes background hum instead of constant noise.
If Your Energy Bills Are Annoying
Velvet insulates. In winter, it keeps heat from escaping through the windows. In summer, it blocks the sun from turning your room into a greenhouse. Less work for your heater and AC. It's not dramatic, but it adds up.
If Your Room Feels Unfinished
Sometimes a space just needs an anchor. Something with presence. Velvet curtains do that - they make a room feel intentional without needing a full redesign. Everything else can be IKEA, but good curtains make it look like you have a plan.
A Note on Blackout Versions
There's a version with blackout lining bonded to the back. Blocks close to 100% of light instead of the 80-90% that regular velvet manages. Worth it if you work night shifts, have a baby, or just really hate mornings. Also maxes out the noise reduction and insulation thing.
Otherwise, regular velvet is plenty.
Keeping Them Nice
Velvet sounds high-maintenance. It's not.
Run a vacuum with the brush attachment over them every couple weeks - always brush downward, with the pile. If they arrive wrinkled, use a steamer on low heat. Don't iron, you'll crush the pile.
Spills: blot with a dry cloth, don't rub. Most marks come out.
Modern velvet is usually synthetic, which means it handles life better than you think. If you spill red wine or something, maybe get them dry cleaned. Otherwise, they're fine.
Why Size Actually Matters
The biggest mistake is buying curtains that are too short or too narrow. They look awkward. They don't block light properly. They leave gaps.
This is where custom sizing makes sense. Off-the-rack curtains come in weird standard lengths that probably don't match your windows. Custom means they hang right, cover the whole window when closed, and look like they were made for the space (because they were).
At Joydeco, custom sizing doesn't cost extra. You measure, we make them, they fit. That's it.
Final Thought
Good curtains are one of those small changes that make a bigger difference than they should. Not in a "wow, new curtains!" way - more like the room finally feels finished.
If you've been looking at your windows thinking something's off, this might be it.
Custom velvet curtains, sized to your windows, starting at $29. Explore the Joydeco collection.
FAQs About Velvet Curtains
Q1: Won't velvet look too formal in my space?
Only if you pair it with formal things. Velvet with Ikea furniture looks modern. Velvet with industrial lighting looks edgy. Velvet with plants and wood looks organic. It's about context, not the fabric itself.
Q2: Will dark curtains make my small room feel smaller?
Not if you hang them right. Put the rod 4-6 inches above the window frame and extend it 3-4 inches past each side. This tricks the eye into seeing a bigger window, which makes the room feel bigger. And when they're open, dark curtains stack neatly and don't block much light anyway.
Q3: I have kids and pets. Is velvet realistic?
Modern velvet is usually synthetic - tough, doesn't snag easily, cat hair vacuums right off. It's not the fussy Victorian stuff. You'll spend more time cleaning your couch.
Q4: Can I take them when I move?
Yes. Unlike built-ins or paint colors, curtains come with you. Get them sized for your current place, and they'll work in most standard windows in your next place too.
