When choosing blinds that look great from the outside, the secret is uniformity and a neutral backing. Shutters, 2-inch wood blinds, and roller shades with white or off-white street-side backings consistently deliver the best curb appeal because they provide a clean, symmetrical, and cohesive look from the street.
Use Wood. Wood shutters and wood blinds have a classic look that is attractive from the outside. Painted shutters and painted wood blinds can also have an impressive look, and white or off-white often looks best from the street.
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.
Current window covering trends focus on blending smart automation with sustainability, with an emphasis on natural materials, warm neutral color palettes, and minimalist, low-profile hardware.
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.
Even though ornate valances were once a staple in traditional-style homes, they are now considered outdated.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.
2026's Best Blinds
The most popular blinds right now prioritize clean aesthetics, safety, and convenience, with cordless and smart motorized blinds leading the trend. Homeowners are primarily opting for the following styles:
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.
Windows can be a significant source of heat loss in homes, especially during colder months (or heat gain in hot climates). Insulating your windows with a cardboard box is a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to help retain heat and reduce energy bills.
In 1950, the average size of a newly built, single-family American home was just 983 square feet.
Leaving curtains open, particularly in affluent neighborhoods, often serves as a subtle display of confidence, privilege, and security. Those with higher incomes are significantly more likely to leave windows uncovered. Conversely, leaving them closed or drawn is often a practical response to intense direct sunlight, privacy concerns, or the high costs of climate control.
The best outdoor blinds depend on your specific needs, but the top overall performer is the Coolaroo Cordless Exterior Roller Shade. Renowned for its durable, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fabric, it blocks up to 95% of UV rays while remaining breathable to keep your patio cool.
Dressing up exterior windows is a highly effective way to boost curb appeal and add architectural character to your home. You can transform a plain facade by installing custom trim work, adding functional planter boxes, or simply refreshing your space with a coat of paint and decorative shutters.
Yes. Blinds and shades that allow you to see outside while preventing people outside from seeing in do exist, but this one-way effect only works during the day. The effect relies on the principle that the side with the brighter light becomes reflective, while the darker side remains transparent.
Light-filtering roller shades, solar screens, and low-profile blinds are perfect examples of this trend in action. They provide the practical benefits homeowners want (glare reduction, energy savings, privacy) while maintaining a clean, unobtrusive look that enhances rather than competes with interior design.
If you're asking “When do blinds go on sale?”, the answer is clear: plan around mid-winter, mid-summer, and late fall for the best deals. November often brings huge discounts with Cyber Monday window shades and Black Friday window blinds sales, while Prime Day and July promotions offer mid-year refreshes.
While her design style often utilizes a mix of vintage and modern elements, she frequently opts for roman shades in her projects. These shades echo her love for natural materials and provide understated elegance. Gaines often chooses soft-toned fabrics that blend with the overall color palette.
Wood Blinds are one of the most popular types of blinds as they exude a timeless elegance and warmth with their linear slats. Made of real wood, these types of window blinds feature a range of rich colors and grain patterns.
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.
Current window blind trends are all about blending high-tech convenience with natural warmth and minimalist aesthetics. Key styles dominating home design include:
Martha Stewart has her bed sheets changed and washed every two to three days. While she has housekeepers who handle the actual washing and making of the bed, she considers getting into a fresh bed the "height of luxury" and believes that swapping them out every five days should be the bare minimum.
Martha Stewart is famously a massive fragrance enthusiast with a collection of over 70 perfumes. However, she has consistently sworn by one specific signature scent for decades, while also recently endorsing a popular gourmand fragrance.
Elon Musk averages about 6 hours of sleep per night. He typically goes to bed around 3:00 a.m. and wakes up at 9:00 a.m.