Some spaces are designed for solitude, but others are crafted for the sole purpose of bringing people together. Of all the rooms I’ve studied and admired in my love for global interiors, none embodies the spirit of community and hospitality more beautifully than the Middle Eastern Majlis. The term itself, meaning “a place of sitting,” feels wonderfully understated. In reality, the Majlis is the heart of a home’s social life, a space dedicated to honoring guests, fostering long conversations, and celebrating togetherness.
My fascination with these spaces comes from their incredible warmth. Stepping into a well-designed Majlis feels like being wrapped in a luxurious embrace. It’s a symphony of rich textures, intricate patterns, and warm light, all carefully orchestrated to make guests feel comfortable and cherished. And a key player in creating this magnificent sense of enclosure and splendor is the curtain. Here, drapery transcends mere function; it is a fundamental element of design that contributes to the privacy, comfort, and opulence of these celebrated gathering spaces. So, let’s explore the beautiful tradition of the Majlis and the vital role curtains play within it.
The Cultural Importance of Majlis Spaces
To understand the curtains, one must first understand the Majlis itself. In many parts of the Arab world, the Majlis is the most important room in the house, traditionally a reception area separate from the private family quarters, where guests—historically, men—are received and entertained. Today, the concept is more flexible, but its core purpose remains. It is the physical embodiment of the deep-seated cultural value of hospitality.
Everything about the Majlis is designed to make a guest feel honored and at ease. The characteristic low seating, often arranged around the perimeter of the room, encourages relaxed posture and easy conversation. The abundance of plush cushions invites guests to settle in for hours. The rich carpets underfoot provide literal and visual warmth.
Within this context, the Majlis serves to create an intimate, enclosed world for its occupants. It’s a sanctuary from the outside, a space where community bonds are strengthened and stories are shared. The design elements, including the curtains, all work in concert to build this sense of a private, comfortable haven, dedicated entirely to the art of being together.
Traditional Middle Eastern Curtain Styles and Materials
While originally serving the very practical purposes of providing shade from the intense sun and ensuring privacy, the curtains in a Majlis evolved to become a powerful expression of a family’s status, wealth, and artistic taste. The style is one of unapologetic opulence and luxurious layering.
The Language of Luxurious Fabrics:
The materials chosen for Majlis curtains are meant to convey richness and quality.
- Heavy Brocades and Damasks: These are quintessential Majlis fabrics. Richly woven, often with silk and shimmering metallic threads, they feature intricate floral, geometric, or arabesque patterns that catch the light beautifully.
- Velvet (Makhmal): A true symbol of luxury across many cultures, velvet is prized in Majlis design for its plush, soft texture, its ability to hold deep, saturated color, and the sheer weight and substance it lends to a room.
- Richly Embroidered Fabrics: Even when the base fabric is a heavy cotton or linen blend, it is often adorned with elaborate, detailed embroidery, adding another layer of texture and artistry.
A Style of Grandeur and Embellishment:
The way these fabrics are styled is just as important as the materials themselves.
- Generous Layering: This is a hallmark of the style. It’s very common to see a double curtain treatment, with heavy, decorative outer panels paired with a lighter, sheer inner layer. The sheer curtain diffuses the harsh sunlight into a soft glow, while the outer drapes provide privacy and splendor.
- Elaborate Valances and Pelmets: The top of the window treatment is rarely left plain. Intricately shaped, carved, or upholstered pelmets and soft, draped valances add a sense of architectural grandeur.
- An Abundance of Trimmings: This is not a style for the minimalist! Generous use of thick, ornate trimmings—tassels, bullion fringes, and decorative braids—is essential. Tie-backs are often substantial ropes with large, elaborate tassels.
- A Rich and Regal Palette: The colors are deep, warm, and inviting. Jewel tones reign supreme, with deep ruby reds, sapphire blues, emerald greens, and regal purples being very popular. These are often accented with shimmering gold or rich, earthy tones.
Designing a Majlis-Inspired Room with Elegant Drapes
You don’t need a palace to capture the essence of a Majlis in your own home. By focusing on the key principles of comfort, texture, and opulent window treatments, you can create an inspired space that feels both luxurious and incredibly inviting.
Start with the Windows: The curtains will be a dominant feature, so give them the attention they deserve.
- Choose a Rich Fabric: Invest in a high-quality, heavy fabric like velvet, a jacquard, or a faux-silk brocade in a deep, warm color.
- Embrace the Layering: Install a double curtain rod. Use your opulent, decorative curtains on the outer rod and a simple, lightweight sheer on the rod closer to the window. This gives you both beauty and practical light control.
- Go for Fullness and Length: To achieve that look of abundance, your curtain panels should have a combined width of at least two times the width of your window. For length, letting them hang a few inches longer so they “puddle” gracefully on the floor adds to the sense of opulence.
- Select Substantial Hardware: Choose a thick curtain rod in a dark wood or an ornate metal finish. And don’t skimp on the tie-backs—look for thick, tasseled ropes that can handle the weight of your drapes.
With your windows beautifully dressed, you can build out the rest of the room. Incorporate low-slung seating, pile on the floor cushions, choose a beautiful, intricate rug, and focus on warm, ambient lighting from table lamps and lanterns to complete the immersive, cozy atmosphere.
Combining Curtains with Other Textiles in Cultural Decor
A Majlis is a masterclass in textile layering. The curtains do not exist in isolation; they are part of a rich, harmonious symphony of fabrics that work together to create a cohesive and comfortable whole.
- The Rug as the Foundation: The rug—often an intricate Persian or Oriental design—is the soul of the floor and the anchor of the room’s color palette. The colors in your curtains should ideally complement or pick up one of the secondary or primary colors in the rug.
- A Cascade of Cushions: The low seating is made comfortable and visually rich by a multitude of cushions in various shapes and sizes. This is where you can truly play with pattern and texture. Mix velvets with jacquards, silks with embroideries. As long as they share a common color thread with the curtains and rug, the mix will feel curated, not chaotic. It’s a maximalist’s dream, but a very intentional maximalism.
- Textured Walls: In some traditional Majlis spaces, coordinating textiles are even used as wall hangings or tapestries, creating a complete, tent-like feeling of being enveloped in soft, luxurious fabric.
The key to this intricate dance of textiles is a unified color story. By choosing a dominant color—say, a rich burgundy—and letting it appear in the curtains, as a key feature in the rug, and on several of the cushions, you create a sense of harmony that allows for a multitude of patterns to coexist beautifully. Every textile has a purpose: the rug grounds you, the cushions comfort you, and the curtains enclose you in this beautiful, private world.
An Invitation to Gather
The design of the Middle Eastern Majlis is a beautiful, enduring testament to the importance of hospitality and community. It’s a style born from a desire to create a space that not only looks magnificent but feels profoundly welcoming. The rich, opulent curtains are central to this mission, providing a sense of privacy, splendor, and warm enclosure that invites guests to relax and connect. By drawing inspiration from this tradition, we can also create spaces in our own homes that honor our guests and celebrate the simple, beautiful act of gathering together.
If you’ve been inspired by the richness and warmth of this cultural tradition, please share this post with others who appreciate the beauty of global design. May your home always be a place of welcome and connection.