3 Ways of Pairing Shades with Drapery: Find Your Favorite!

A living room focused on pairing shades with drapery in toronto

As the temperature gets colder, and we enter into a new season, layering may start to become a staple in your everyday outfits. Interestingly, layering can also apply to your windows! Pairing shades with drapery is your key to unlocking that effortless blend of fashion and function in your home. There are myriad options when it comes to looks and combinations you can select. We’re here to inspire and guide you through it. Let’s explore a few dazzling pairings that can elevate your space!

Patterns + Textures: A Dynamic Duo

If you want to give your windows some personality, patterns and textures will be your best friends when pairing shades with drapery. Think of it like mixing prints in an outfit—it can be bold, playful, and unique, but there’s a fine line between artful and chaotic. A great way to achieve balance is by going for a softer pattern on the drapery, and then pairing it with shades that have an understated texture.

side drapery panels and window shades layered in a cozy modern dining room
Provenance® Woven Woods with Custom Drapes

Consider using Provenance Woven Wood shades with refined vertical lines in your space. They easily let soft, natural light filter in. As for the draperies, a light pattern frames the window beautifully, while creating a space that feels both whimsical and sophisticated. Balance is key in this situation. You want just enough texture and pattern to add dimension without feeling overwhelming. 

Provenance® Woven Woods with Custom Drapes. Texture added from the woven woods and slight detailing in the custom drapes. This window looks out to a backyard and has a plant in the window.
Provenance® Woven Woods with Custom Drapes

Subtle and Neutral: Expanding Space

We all want our spaces to feel more open and airy. Pairing shades with drapery can do just that. Lighter, neutral tones are perfect for making a room look larger. Draperies in soft columns, hanging naturally on either side of your windows, create the illusion of height. They also add dimension and style. When pairing custom drapery with sheer shades, you get both privacy and light control. Sheer shades are wonderful because they also decrease glare and UV damage. Fortunately, you can easily view and admire your landscaping from the inside. 

Nantucket™ Sheer Shades with Custom Drapery covering windows in a lovely modern style living room with minimal furniture. They windows are open and look out to landscaping on a sunny day
Nantucket™ Sheer Shades with Custom Drapery

If you seek to strike the perfect amount of elegance in your space, you may want to think about layering neutral tones. A textured jacquard fabric, for example, offers that luxury touch with an understated twist—it’s the kind of material you appreciate more the closer you get, due to its slight texture. Silk or velvet can take it up a notch for a more polished, refined appearance. Explore cotton or linen if you want your space to have more of a casual look and feel. 

A close up of Nantucket™ Sheer Shades with Custom Drapery covering a window that is overlooking luscious greenery outside
Nantucket™ Sheer Shades with Custom Drapery

Bold Contrasts: Let the Drapes Do the Talking

When you look at your space, you may want to showcase more of a bold hue rather than neutrals. The good news is that pairing shades with drapery doesn’t always have to be subtle and blend. They can look great with some contrast too! Think about adding bold drapes that make a statement—vivid colors or striking patterns paired with low-profile, simple shades like Sonnette Cellular Roller Shades. This approach works best when you want the drapery to be the star of the show.

Sonnette® Cellular Roller Shades with Custom Drapes in a modern office room with two chairs and a table in between
Sonnette® Cellular Roller Shades with Custom Drapes

Now, when you go big with the drapes, you’ll want to make sure the fabric is full and flowing. That fullness adds an intentional elegance when the drapes are pulled back. There is a trick to it though. You need to consider the depth of your window trim when mounting your shades. If you have trim-less or deep windows, an inside mount for your shades is perfect. If your windows are a bit more shallow, common with older windows, don’t stress—outside mounting is still an option but can make it a little more challenging. 

Sonnette® Cellular Roller Shades with Custom Drapes. A closeup of a desk with a laptop on it and a chair. The drapery is visible from the side as the bold color pops against the neutral tones in the room.
Sonnette® Cellular Roller Shades with Custom Drapes

To keep the overall look sleek and polished, choose low-profile shades with minimal stacking or a roller function. This ensures your shades won’t interfere with the drapery, leaving the design purposeful and clean. When pairing shades with drapery, your window treatments should feel like a seamless part of the room, not an afterthought. 

Let Us Help You Pair Shades with Drapery!

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the choices, we’re here to help! Designing the perfect window treatment involves balancing style, practicality, and sometimes it needs a little creativity, especially when pairing shades with drapery. Our design team at Night & Day Decor is ready to guide you. Whether you want understated elegance, bold contrast, or a cozy layered look, we can help you create the perfect combination in your home. Schedule your FREE in-home consultation today