Yes, you should absolutely close your blinds at night. Doing so provides essential privacy, protects your home's security, and helps insulate your room against outside temperature drops and streetlights.
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 most cases, you should close your blinds at night. Closing them protects your privacy from the street, prevents burglars from casing your home, and improves your sleep quality by blocking artificial outdoor light.
At night, keep your blinds all the way down and tilted downward. This position creates a solid barrier that prevents light from escaping and blocks the view from outside when your interior lights are on.
Sleeping with your blinds open is generally not recommended for optimal sleep health, though it offers some waking benefits.
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.
The Dutch method, which is popular even in big cities like Amsterdam, involves sleeping with your curtains wide open, to help the body wake with the sun's natural light. It's a way to reset your own body's clock instead of relying solely on an alarm.
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.”
The 10-3-2-1-0 sleep rule is a popular routine designed to improve your sleep hygiene. It provides specific timeframes for cutting out everyday stimulants and habits to ensure your brain and body can naturally transition into a deep, restful state.
In the Cold Months
Keep curtains and blinds closed unless the sun is shining directly on the glass. This helps your home gain heat and stay warm. Use the tilt wand to adjust your closed blinds downward on a sunny but cold day. This directs the light and warmth of the sun ray's into the room without sacrificing privacy.
Window treatments are currently dominated by layered textiles, biophilic materials (like woven woods and linen), and smart automation. If you are looking to update your space, top trends include automated shades, textured Roman shades, and floor-to-ceiling drapery featuring rich trims and patterns.
For starters, they improve your privacy; if you're worried about the security of your home, closed window blinds will stop passers-by from looking in and getting a good view of your valuables.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Ditching shades has a lot of upsides regardless of who you are. Uncovered windows bring in natural light, boost well-being, and offer a view of the world outside. The trade-off, of course, is that they also put those inside on display to passersby, and in the summer, they channel heat.
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.
Martha Stewart does not wear a wig for her day-to-day look. For her signature blonde bob, she typically uses volumizing hair tools like Velcro rollers. However, she has openly worn temporary wigs and extensions provided by celebrity stylists for quick, dramatic transformations for photoshoots and special projects.
Roller shades are not out of style. In fact, they are among the most popular and versatile window coverings today. Moving far beyond basic vinyl pull-downs, modern roller shades offer a sleek, minimalist aesthetic favored in contemporary design.
Koalas are thickset arboreal marsupials with a thick grey fur. Found only living in Australia, they mainly live in the eucalyptus trees and spend around 22 hours of their time sleeping (90%). They spend the other 10% of their day eating and sitting around.
Sleeping like a viking can involve utilizing the Scandinavian sleep method where couples sleep in the same bed while using separate duvets or blankets instead of one. This method satisfies your need for closeness and intimacy without sacrificing sleep quality.
Siestas are historically common throughout the Mediterranean and Southern Europe, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and mainland China. The siesta is an old tradition in Spain and, through Spanish influence, in most of Latin America and the Philippines.