Yes, many people put curtains over blinds. This combination, often called window layering, is a popular interior design choice that offers the best of both worlds: the strict privacy and light control of blinds, paired with the softness, warmth, and decorative style of curtains.
' The answer is, for the most part, 'yes' – when paired, the two can bring out a flexible décor and ensure adequate blocking of light and privacy control.
Thankfully, Stewart was quick to ease our curtain concerns. She says, “They're beautiful, I don't have anything against them, I just don't live with them… I like to look outside. Every window [in my home] looks out to something nice, and it's just all open to the view.”
Combining blinds and curtains helps pull one entire space together and bring about the desired atmosphere in each room. Since the ambiance varies from room to room, interior designers choose a style that resonates with their clients. They also consider the amount of light they want to allow into each room.
Curtain trends in 2026 are shifting from purely functional covers to architectural statement pieces. The top looks emphasize rich, natural textures, layered depth, warm neutral and earth-toned palettes, and smart home integration to bring quiet luxury and character to interior spaces.
6 Curtain Styles Designers Avoid—and What They Use Instead
Some of Stewart's homes utilize interior blinds for light regulation and privacy. Others feature windows framed by exterior shutters, operable versions of which can also be used for light control, ventilation and privacy.
In the U.S., the uncovered window is perhaps less an expression of communal trust than one of personal protection. Wealthier homeowners, who can also afford state-of- the-art security systems, may not feel that they need shades. These curtainless windows have become one of our subtlest statements of privilege.
Modern alternatives to curtains offer sleek, low-maintenance ways to control light and privacy. Top options include window films (for a minimalist, space-saving frost), cellular shades (for superior insulation), Roman shades (for soft texture), and plantation shutters (for timeless, architectural appeal).
Homes with minimal natural light where curtains aren't needed to filter light or privacy. In sleek, modern spaces, where bare windows create a clean, open feeling. On oddly shaped windows like a port-hole style window where drapery may look out of place.
Martha Stewart recently went on the In Bed with Paige DeSorbo Amazon livestream and dropped a hot take about how often she swaps her bedding. Stewart revealed that she has her sheets changed every two to three days.
Key Points. Vinyl blinds and honeycomb shades now feel dated in modern interiors. Cafe curtains in lace or florals can make a space look old-fashioned.
Martha Stewart, 83, has nothing to hide. She's always been unabashedly candid about her life and career, including her divorce and her 2005 stint in prison for insider trading. And now, the lifestyle guru is opening up about being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease vitiligo for the very first time.
Trending Window Treatment Ideas for Every Room
Drapery Aesthetics
When comparing curtains vs blinds, it's clear that curtains give you a lot more design versatility. With numerous fabric options from sheer to blackout materials, different pleating styles, as well as a wide range of colors and patterns, you can find the right drapery for every room in your home.
Layered Curtains
While heavy curtains are the answer to a room in need of some privacy, they can feel a little stuffy, often preventing light from gently filtering through during the daytime. This is where the ever-popular window treatment trend comes into play: the layered curtain.
Even though ornate valances were once a staple in traditional-style homes, they are now considered outdated. "Avoid overly ornate valances, which can feel dated and heavy," says interior designer Danielle Chiprut. "They can feel at odds with today's preference for light, airy interiors."
Replace traditional window drapes with modern alternatives like window films (for a sleek, frosted privacy look), interior plantation shutters (for timeless elegance and light control), or woven wood and Roman shades (for texture and a soft, tailored fold).
If you want to skip the traditional curtain rod, you can use tension rods, adhesive brackets, or heavy-duty Command hooks for damage-free installations. For more creative, custom looks, try hanging curtains from leather straps, decorative branches, a rope or wire, or using velcro strips for a clean, minimalist finish.
Curtains usually look cheap because of flimsy, unlined fabrics, insufficient width (looking like a "flat sheet" when closed), or a length that stops too short above the floor. Additionally, plastic hardware and visible metal grommets often detract from an elevated design, making budget curtains stand out negatively.
Meanwhile, the least desired home styles appear to be shipping container homes and tiny homes, the study finds.
Window blinds must be open during landing (and takeoff) as a critical safety measure. Because the majority of aviation incidents happen during these phases, open blinds allow flight crew and passengers to instantly spot exterior hazards (like fire, smoke, or debris) and let your eyes adjust to the outside lighting to avoid temporary blindness during an evacuation.
Dressing windows without curtains opens the door to cleaner lines, architectural focus, and creative textures. The most practical alternatives include installing blinds or shades for adjustable privacy, applying frosted or decorative films to obscure views while maintaining natural light, or framing the glass with custom-built valances and shutters.
Martha Stewart's energizing morning routine
While many of her retired peers are leaning into leisurely retirements, Stewart treats her mornings as a launchpad to gain energy for a full workday, despite only getting four hours of sleep a night. “I read the entire New York Times,” she said. “I do all the puzzles.
Martha Stewart has consistently maintained that she has never undergone plastic surgery or had a facelift. Instead, her youthful complexion is the result of rigorous skin-care routines, a healthy lifestyle, and conservative, non-invasive cosmetic procedures.