Stuck deciding whether to dress your windows with curtains or blinds? The good news: you can have both—and, in many Aussie homes, you absolutely should. Clever pairings tame glare, trap heat or cool, and add instant style without blowing the reno budget. In the next few minutes you’ll pick up 18 fresh, on-trend ideas that prove curtains and blinds aren’t an either-or choice but a double act ready for every room, build and décor mood.
Expect a mix of stand-alone curtain looks, blind-only solutions and smart layer-ups that tick the boxes for privacy, insulation and wow factor. We’ll flag which fabrics thrive in steamy bathrooms, which textures suit breezy coastal lounges, and which tech upgrades make hard-to-reach sliders a breeze. Every suggestion is doable with off-the-shelf buys or a custom measure-and-fit from a local specialist—so keep a shortlist handy for that free consultation later.
1. Layering Sheer Curtains Over Block-Out Roller Blinds
Layering a whisper-thin sheer over a snug block-out roller is the designer’s go-to for light control without sacrificing softness.
What the look involves
The roller, tucked neatly inside the frame, blocks sun and nosy neighbours at night; the sheer, front-loaded on a track, filters glare by day.
Best rooms & window types
Perfect for street-front living rooms, ground-floor bedrooms and media spaces, and flexible enough for both picture windows and full-height sliders.
Styling & installation tips
Fit the blind inside the reveal, then ceiling-mount an S-fold sheer at 2x fullness; pick neutral linen-look whites while colour-matching the roller to your wall.
2. Plantation Shutters Paired With Decorative Drapes
Plantation shutters already tick the boxes for light control and kerb appeal; drapes added either side dial up softness, pattern and extra insulation.
What the look involves
Crisp painted blades meet fluid fabric, giving structure plus decorative flourish.
Best rooms & window types
Great for Hamptons living zones, street-facing bedrooms and glare-prone coastal façades.
Styling & installation tips
Match shutter colour to trim; let drapes skim the floor and echo cushion hues.
3. Floor-to-Ceiling Linen Sheers for Breezy Minimalism
Chasing that weightless, coastal vibe? Floor-skimming linen sheers deliver instant calm and visual space.
What the look involves
Single-layer S-fold panels, sewn in natural or poly-linen, hang full drop to soften light and showcase height.
Best rooms & window types
Ideal for open-plan living, dining and master suites with sliders, yet uplifts ordinary mid-century windows too.
Styling & installation tips
Ceiling-mount tracks, allow 1.8–2× fullness, select chalk or oat hues, and add quiet motorisation on spans above three metres.
4. Bold Printed Roman Blinds as a Statement Piece
Ready to swap safe neutrals for something punchy? A bold Roman blind can double as wall art and transform a boxy room in seconds.
What the look involves
Flat or softly hobbled folds showcase botanical, geometric or Indigenous-inspired prints.
Best rooms & window types
Perfect for nurseries, kids’ rooms or studies where curtains feel bulky.
Styling & installation tips
Recess-mount inside the reveal; pull colours into bedding or framed art.
5. Motorised Double-Roller Blinds for Ultimate Convenience
If you want hands-off control and windows that adapt to Adelaide’s shifting daylight without leaving the couch, motorised double rollers have you covered.
What the look involves
Two fabrics share one bracket: a daytime sunscreen that keeps views and UV in check, plus a full block-out for TV binges or weekend sleep-ins.
Best rooms & window types
They shine on high clerestories, stairwells and wide sliders where chains fail, and suit energy-smart renos chasing a six-star NatHERS score.
Styling & installation tips
Program block-outs to drop before the afternoon scorch; hide tubes in a slim pelmet and pull low-voltage wiring while walls are open.
6. Natural Bamboo or Woven-Wood Blinds With Soft Cotton Drapes
Textural bamboo or woven-wood blinds teamed with whisper-light cotton drapes add instant warmth and relaxed, resort vibes.
What the look involves
Sustainably harvested slats roll or Roman-fold inside the reveal, while soft cotton panels frame and soften the window.
Best rooms & window types
Ideal for north-facing sunrooms, boho lounges and any opening that craves texture without bulk.
Styling & installation tips
Pair rattan décor; choose white drapes so the textured slats stand out.
7. Colour-Block Curtains for Modern Drama
Colour-block curtains slice solid hues across the drop, adding modern edge without repainting walls.
What the look involves
Two or three horizontal bands stitched in one panel; lighter shade on top tricks the eye upward.
Best rooms & window types
Great in lounges, teen rooms and rentals; suits standard windows or extra-wide stacker doors.
Styling & installation tips
Anchor with the darkest band at the hem, then echo hues in cushions or art.
8. Velvet Drapes for Luxe Insulation
Craving glamour plus real warmth? Velvet drapes tick both boxes, blocking draughts while adding a rich, light-soaking sheen.
What the look involves
Dense velvet hangs in generous folds, acting as an acoustic buffer and near-blackout curtain.
Best rooms & window types
South-facing lounges, heritage sash windows and July-chilly bedrooms are velvet’s natural habitat.
Styling & installation tips
Think emerald, navy or marsala; add block-out lining; use a robust double rod so panels stack off the glass.
9. Outdoor Zip-Track Blinds Extending the Alfresco Zone
Zip-track blinds turn a patio into a year-round hang-out, sealing out wind, spray and mozzies while keeping the breeze on demand.
What the look involves
A heavy-duty top tube feeds PVC or mesh fabric down rigid side tracks, locking tight at any height—no ropes or zips flapping.
Best rooms & window types
Perfect for decked alfresco rooms, pergolas, café-style pavements and high-rise balconies that cop South Australian cross-winds.
Styling & installation tips
Choose clear PVC to preserve views, through-coloured mesh for glare cut, and powder-coat hardware to match gutters. Add spring-assist or 240 V motors so panels glide at the touch of a button.
10. Scandinavian-Inspired Pale Timber Venetian Blinds
Pale timber Venetians deliver the airy, fuss-free vibe Scandi interiors thrive on.
What the look involves
50 mm pale ash slats pivot and stack, softening glare with natural grain.
Best rooms & window types
Ideal for kitchens, study nooks and small flats where curtains crowd space.
Styling & installation tips
Inside-reveal mount with white walls; tilt slats upward to bounce light deeper.
11. S-Fold Curtains on Shadowline Tracks for Modern Clean Lines
Shadowline S-fold curtains deliver a crisp, architectural finish by hiding every bracket and runner inside a ceiling recess.
What the look involves
Track sits inside a plaster pocket; uninterrupted ripple folds drop floor to ceiling, creating a sleek fabric plane.
Best rooms & window types
Perfect for new builds with square-set cornices, open-plan living zones and luxe hotel-style bedrooms.
Styling & installation tips
Match fabric to the wall; order 2× fullness to fake extra height.
12. All-White Roller Blinds for Airy Coastal Homes
Crisp white rollers visually recede, letting coastal light do the talking while keeping glare at bay.
What the look involves
Single-layer block-out or light-filtering fabric in pure white, rolled neatly inside the reveal for an uninterrupted sightline.
Best rooms & window types
Beach cottages, ensuites and Airbnb studios where you want brightness without fiddly drapes.
Styling & installation tips
Inside-mount for the cleanest edge, add sheer pinch-pleats for softness, and pick mould-resistant fabric against salty air.
13. Thermal Cellular (Honeycomb) Blinds for Energy Savings
If soaring power bills are your bugbear, thermal cellular blinds are the achiever of every curtain and blind design arsenal.
What the look involves
Made from pleated fabric fused into hexagonal cells, each blind acts like a doona for the window, trapping air and lifting the pane’s R-value from 0.3 to 1.7.
Best rooms & window types
West-facing bedrooms and playrooms that fry after 3 pm, or draughty heritage lounges that freeze in July, see immediate comfort gains without bulky curtains.
Styling & installation tips
Pick double-cell fabrics in stone or chalk, add top-down/bottom-up hardware for privacy with daylight, and recess-mount for a crisp, minimalist edge.
14. Child-Safe Cordless Roller Blinds in Nurseries
What the look involves
A spring-loaded or motorised roller glides with a quick tug or remote—no dangling chains. Block-out fabric keeps daytime naps dark.
Best rooms & window types
Must-have for nurseries, playrooms and rentals meeting ACCC child-safety rules; suits most windows, including narrow casements.
Styling & installation tips
Choose soft pastels or warm whites; recess-mount for clean lines; park the rail above cot height. A timer can lower blinds for naps.
15. Day & Night Zebra Blinds for Sleek Light Control
Zebra blinds alternate sheer and block stripes, toggling instantly between view and privacy.
What the look involves
Two fabric layers slide, matching stripes for filtered light or offsetting for near blackout.
Best rooms & window types
Great in city studios, kitchens and study nooks where curtains would crowd space.
Styling & installation tips
Stick to greys or whites; recess-mount for sleek lines and add matte-black bottom bar.
16. Retro-Chic Patterned Café Curtains Inside the Reveal
Channelling grandma’s mid-century kitchen, café curtains have swung back into style lately.
What the look involves
Half-height panels on a tension rod, usually gingham, stripe or ditsy floral cotton prints for privacy.
Best rooms & window types
Cottage kitchens, ground-floor bathrooms and laundry windows needing privacy yet daylight.
Styling & installation tips
Mount inside reveal, let hem hit sill; repeat fabric in tea towels for cohesion.
17. Statement Pelmets and Cornices to Finish the Window Scene
Sometimes the star is the tailored header that hides hardware and completes the window.
What the look involves
Upholstered or timber pelmets mask tracks and add a crisp architectural line.
Best rooms & window types
Ideal in formal dining, heritage lounges and bedrooms chasing hotel polish.
Styling & installation tips
Choose square pelmets for modern builds, curved for traditional, and run them wall-to-wall to widen and insulate.
18. Mix-and-Match Prints for Maximalist Impact
What the look involves
This curtain and blind design embraces fearless pattern play: mix a tropical Roman blind with striped velvet curtains—anything goes when contrasts are deliberate.
Best rooms & window types
Ideal for eclectic lounges and creative studios, and it works just as well on standard windows as it does on French doors.
Styling & installation tips
Stick to a shared three-colour palette, vary pattern scale, and recess-mount the blind with drapes hung wide so both prints shine.
Wrapping It All Up
From breezy linen sheers to tech-savvy double rollers, these 18 curtain and blind design ideas prove there’s a stylish, practical fix for every Aussie window and climate quirk. Whether you’re chasing coastal minimalism, heritage glamour or energy-smart insulation, the right fabric and hardware combo can tame glare, boost privacy and slash heating or cooling costs.
Got a few favourites earmarked? Jot them down and chat with a factory-direct specialist who can measure, make and fit everything to the millimetre. To lock in a free in-home quote, book today with Classic Roller Shutters Adelaide and start transforming those panes into talking points.
