Do you have tan walls in your home? You can choose a curtain color to enhance your neutral walls while adding to your coveted style. And there’s a good selection of curtain colors for tan walls to pick from!
Tan walls are a superb backdrop for diverse decor styles. Every furnishing shapes this blank canvas, creating aesthetics ranging from calming biophilic to attention-grabbing eclectic.
The best curtain colors for tan walls are lighter neutrals like off-white for a coherent, quietly luxurious look, chocolate brown for extra richness, shades of deep red and orange for brightness, blues for high impact, greens for biophilic appeal, or slate for contrast.
Endless color options harmonize with an all-rounder like tan. Whether you’re redecorating or just refreshing a room, almost anything goes with this soft, tawny hue.
Still, only some pairings produce the effect you want. Let’s see what happens when you decorate tan walls with fabrics in colors across the spectrum, from muted to bold.
What Curtain Colors Go With Tan Walls?
Your wall color is one of the easiest to match. It’s a works-with-everything neutral (…or a near-neutral mix of yellow and true-neutral brown, if we’re being precise).
Tan has variations. Most are delightfully warm, while some are cooler with grayish undertones and closer to beige (like Sherwin-Williams’ Natural Tan). They’re all a gentle pale brown shade with a grounding quality and coordinate beautifully with my recommended curtain colors.
With your neutral starting point, you can choose your curtains to blend in or command attention. Here’s a round-up of winning shades for a soft, polished look or to spark some drama.
#1. Lighter Neutrals
I’m all about simplicity and stylish yet comforting rooms, so I adore the quiet luxury aesthetic.
Tonal decorating is an essential element of this decor style. Try pairing your walls with curtains in a slightly lighter tint to set the scene for a cohesive, nurturing space with a touch of luxe.
You could go for a stronger contrast with an off-white like cream or vanilla while keeping the mood soft and serene.
A monochromatic scheme is also my go-to hack for blending boundaries to make small rooms appear more spacious. And I like using window dressings in light neutrals in sunny spots because they fade less than vivid hues.
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#2. Chocolate Brown
Tan plays well with another trendy earthy hue, deep brown. It’s a flattering combo because the chocolate gives the walls richness.
This warming duo makes rooms feel safe and cozy; a peaceful burrow away from the world’s frenzy.
The dark curtains are also an anchor, creating a solid foundation for various decorating projects.
CUCRAF Blackout Room Darkening Window Curtains
#3. Shades of Fall
Pale brown can hold its own against the vibrant colors of fall leaves.
Burgundy, ruby, burnt orange, and rusty red complement the color by bringing out its brighter tones. And tan returns the favor by intensifying the vibrant shades so they really pop.
MIULEE Velvet Burnt Orange Blackout Curtains
#4. Blue
You don’t need to stick with warm colors to find a coordinating shade for your walls. Soothing blues work magic with tan, too.
Blue is brown’s complementary match according to color theory. They make each other brighter when they’re together. (Disclaimer: brown isn’t on the wheel, so I looked opposite its closest hue, orange, for a high-impact partner.)
Various blues create different atmospheres. Go light for carefree vibes, or choose inky ones like navy for sophistication.
BGment Rod Pocket and Back Tab Curtains
#5. Green
Feel like you’re immersed in nature when you add green curtains to your earthy, neutral walls.
You’ve undoubtedly seen this combination everywhere as biophilic design inspires more and more “bring the outside in” approaches to home decor.
After experimenting with various greens, I’m sure they all go with tan. Olive fits in seamlessly (they’re both neutrals). Pale pistachio or sage are calming. And forest green packs more of a punch.
NICETOWN 100% Blackout Curtain Set, Olive Green,
#6. Slate
Create an edgier look by choosing slate curtains for tan walls.
This dark concrete hue introduces depth, visual weight, and striking contrast without being jarring.
H.VERSAILTEX Blackout Curtains
Patterns and Textures: Adding Depth to Tan Walls
I’ve been raving about tan’s benefits. Now for the downside. Neutral walls can make rooms appear flat, especially if they’re part of a monochrome color scheme.
Curtains come to the rescue! You can dress your windows to stop spaces looking one-dimensional. The trick is to find qualities that make the curtains stand out against the walls.
We’ve just seen how a contrasting solid color can bring in depth. You can use patterns and textures, too.
Patterns
Geometric shapes, motifs, dots, stripes, and florals enliven surfaces.
When anyone asks me how to use bold hues without overwhelming a space, I suggest they add a splash of the dramatic color in an otherwise neutral patterned fabric.
But even a light-colored pattern against a similar-shade background can elevate seemingly flat spaces within monochromatic schemes.
jinchan Linen CurtainsTopfinel Mustard Yellow Vintage CurtainsElrene Home Fashions Plaid Blackout Curtainjinchan Geometric Patterns Drapes Sage Green
Textures
Layering different textures is a must for rooms with depth and energy. Your window treatments can add a layer—or many!
I can’t get enough of the comforting combination of ultra-textured bouclé against neutral walls (despite trend forecasters predicting this thick, nubby fabric might be on its way out).
Other natural textiles like linen, velvet, cotton, and shearling also coordinate beautifully.
When looking for a curtain texture to liven up your room, consider how the fabric falls and the mood it creates. Heavy fabrics hang best. Sheer ones are floaty. Cotton and linen are easy-going and versatile. Silk and velvet are dressy.
Mixing and Matching: Combining Curtains with Other Room Elements
Before you settle on a window treatment, one more thing to consider is how it works with the rest of your decor.
Do you want your curtains to subtly enhance the space or be a focal point? Are you aiming to add continuity or character?
Let your personality and design goals determine how closely they coordinate with the other room elements.
Simple, neutral curtains find a happy home in minimalist and modern designs. Richer colors and textures enhance traditional aesthetics.
Fringing, tassels, patterns, and layers create a boho vibe. And curtains that don’t exactly match the rest of the room yet fill you with joy are spot-on for an eclectic style.
Final Thoughts
Tan walls take on different moods and design styles depending on what’s dressing their windows. Lighter neutrals and hues inspired by nature, such as browns, blues, greens, are especially harmonious partners. Fiery reds and oranges bring vibrancy. And slate is a good match for a slightly more daring look.
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