20 Best Curtain Colors for White Walls: Ideas for Style, Mood & Light

NATIONWIDE - OCTOBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) When Leena moved into her new apartment near Dubai Creek, the white walls of her rooms felt bright and spacious, but also a bit too sterile. While the minimalist design had its charm, she wanted more. The solution seemed simple: curtains. But with so many options, the real question became, "Which curtain color would truly transform the space?" Leena needed warmth for guests, a calming atmosphere for work-from-home hours, and the perfect mood for sleep. Her search for the ideal curtain color began, and she quickly learned an important lesson: white walls are never completely "empty." They carry undertones that affect which curtain colors complement them.

This guide will walk you through the best curtain colors for white walls, covering 20 top choices, tips for sheers and blackouts, and considerations specific to UAE homes, ensuring your room looks its best.

Key Tip: White Is Not One-Color

White isn’t a uniform color. Some whites are warm, with hints of cream or barley, while others are cool, with a touch of silver. To determine the type of white on your walls, hold a pure white sheet of paper next to the wall. If the walls appear creamy, they are warm; if icy, they are cool; and if they look somewhere in between, they are likely a greige (gray-beige mix). This simple test will guide your curtain color choices.

How Sunlight in the UAE Affects Your Curtain Choice

In the UAE, intense sunlight can impact how curtain colors appear. East-facing windows capture soft morning light, while west-facing windows get bright afternoon sunlight. South-facing windows stay bright longer, and north-facing windows have cooler, indirect light. Choose curtain colors that look balanced in both daylight and sunset, such as warm whites or barley tones that work well at golden hour.

The Shortlist: Curtain Color Families
Four key curtain color families work well with white walls: neutrals, earthy tones, cool sea and sky shades, and bold colors. Each brings its own unique atmosphere, and whether you choose sheers or blackouts will affect the mood too.

The Shortlist: Curtain Color Families

You’ll notice four recurring families of curtain colors that work particularly well with white walls: neutrals, earthy tones, cool sea and sky shades, and bold colors. Each of these categories brings its own unique mood to a room. Additionally, consider whether you’ll go with sheers or blackouts. Sheers soften the color into a whisper, while blackouts deliver the full note. Both options allow you to play with texture and tone to match your room’s needs.

1 to 5: Neutral Curtains for White Walls That Always Work

Neutrals are a safe bet when you want calm, versatile colors that complement any décor.

1) Warm White

A warm, creamy white curtain adds softness and works seamlessly with stone floors or beige furniture. As a sheer, it will diffuse light without turning chalky. When used as a blackout, warm white creates a hotel-like calm. This color is ideal when you want the window to blend into the wall during the day.

2) Barley

Barley is a lovely balance between sand and oatmeal. It flatters desert light and works well with wood furniture. Barley sheers will add a soft glow during the afternoon, while the warmth balances cool-toned white walls.

3) Greige

A mix of grey and beige, greige is ideal for modern apartments with concrete elements. Greige blackouts create a restful atmosphere, while greige sheers offer a grown-up elegance. This is perfect for those seeking sophistication.

4) Stone Grey

A medium-light grey with a soft hand, stone grey is versatile enough to work with both cool and warm whites. As a blackout, it helps lower reflection from screens and bright light, making it a great option for a modern home office.

5) Taupe

A warm, brownish-grey tone, taupe is a great option for high-traffic areas like living rooms. It hides fingerprints and dirt better than lighter options and gives off a refined air when used in textured blackout fabrics.

6 to 10: Earth Tones That Ground Bright Rooms

If your white walls feel a little weightless, earth tones bring warmth and grounding to the space.

6) Eucalyptus

A grey-green hue, eucalyptus sheers soften harsh glare, while blackouts create a natural, calming vibe that pairs beautifully with plants, wood, and rattan elements. This is a good option for cooler white walls.

7) Olive

Deeper and warmer than eucalyptus, olive curtains work best as blackouts. They anchor large windows in villas and townhouses and bring character without being overpowering.

8) Terracotta

Terracotta offers a rich, sun-baked clay tone that adds a sense of hospitality to your room. Pair it with woven rugs and walnut furniture. Matte terracotta works better as a blackout, where it can really shine without looking too intense.

9) Sand

Sand is closer to beige and works well with warm-toned white walls. It pairs beautifully with gold or brass lighting and creates a soft, inviting atmosphere.

10) Camel

Richer and darker than sand, camels add luxury to a room. It works particularly well as a blackout curtain, especially in spaces with stone flooring or earthy tones.

11 to 15: Cool Notes That Calm the Mind

These cool-toned options create a serene, calming environment, especially in the hot UAE climate.

11) Silver Grey

A light, metallic-tinged grey, silver grey sheers keep a room feeling fresh and breezy. Pair with warm bulbs to avoid the cool tone from becoming too cold at night.

12) Sea Foam

Sea foam is a soft, greenish-blue hue, perfect for apartments with a view of water. The sheers bring breezy, coastal vibes, while blackouts are rare, but a dim-out fabric can provide balance.

13) Sky Blue

This pale blue creates a soft, serene atmosphere. Sky blue works particularly well in textured blackouts, perfect for bedrooms or guest rooms that need a calm feel.

14) Denim

A medium blue that reads casual and laid-back, denim curtains make a relaxed statement. Denim blackouts add coziness to lounges, while pairing well with warm wood or black metal accents.

15) Charcoal
A deep grey, charcoal is ideal for movie nights. Blackout charcoal curtains block out light effectively, while sheers in charcoal can add definition to the space without overwhelming it.

16 to 18: Bold Curtain Colors for White Rooms That Carry Confidence

If you’re looking for boldness without overwhelming the space, these colors make a statement.

16) Deep Teal

A mixture of blue and green, deep teal blackouts add sophistication to a living room, especially in tall windows. Pair with warm wood for a balanced contrast.

17) Forest Green

Forest green blackouts give your room an upscale, library-like feel. It pairs beautifully with matte finishes and light wood to create an elegant yet grounded space.

18) Rust Red

Rust adds warmth and earthiness to white walls. It pairs well with leather and woven textures, making it a great option for creating an inviting and cozy atmosphere.

Choosing Between Sheers and Blackouts

Sheers are subtle and soft, allowing light to filter gently through while introducing a hint of color. Blackouts, on the other hand, deliver a more dramatic statement, blocking light entirely and providing a fuller color effect.

How to Test Curtain Colors in Real Light

Test color swatches by taping them to the wall next to the window and observing them in both the noon sunlight and sunset light. The UAE's powerful sunlight can sometimes alter how colors appear, making warm beige tones look more golden or cool greys appear lavender. Step back and evaluate how the color feels in different lighting before making your final decision.

Award Recognition

Instylea’s exceptional service has earned it the prestigious title of Best Interior Fit Out and Custom Furniture Company in Dubai of 2025, as recognized by EvergreenAwards. This award celebrates the company’s consistent commitment to delivering high-quality, custom-designed interiors that cater to the specific needs of each client. This recognition reflects Instylea's dedication to excellence in the UAE’s competitive interior design industry.

Final Tips for Curtain Installation

To enhance your curtain's impact, hang them at the right height and width with generous fullness. Choose tracks or rods that complement the curtain color, and consider finishes like brushed nickel or brass for extra style.

For personalized help, Instylea’s team visits across the UAE, quickly matching undertones and offering fabric books with options like warm white, greige, and charcoal. They set up sheers and blackouts on rods or recessed tracks, ensuring precise measurements and hems that touch the floor perfectly.

Explore Instylea projects for inspiration, whether you prefer neutral or bold curtains. They help create windows that blend light and style beautifully, from sunrise to sunset.