The most effective insulating window treatments are cellular shades (honeycomb shades) and thermal insulated curtains/draperies. Cellular shades trap air in honeycomb-shaped pockets to prevent heat transfer, while heavy-duty, thermal-backed drapes block drafts and solar heat.
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.
6 Best Window Coverings to Keep Cold Out:
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.
Trending Window Treatment Ideas for Every Room
Window treatment trends in 2026 focus on a blend of high-tech smart home automation, eco-friendly natural fabrics, and luxurious, multi-layered aesthetics. Homeowners are replacing basic blinds with motorized shades, organic textiles, and tailored, rich drapery to elevate their spaces.
Joanna Gaines’ window treatments prioritize organic textures, warm neutrals, and maximizing natural light. Her signature modern-farmhouse style focuses on framing views instead of hiding them by hanging curtains high to make ceilings feel taller, utilizing light-filtering materials, and incorporating custom wooden elements.
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.”
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.
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.
To see out without others seeing in, your best option is a one-way mirror (or reflective) window film. These films use the balance of light to create a mirrored surface on the brighter side, giving you a clear view of the outdoors while rendering the window reflective from the outside.
Window Insulation Film
Window insulation kits are a more affordable way to insulate multiple windows. Using heat control window film doesn't interfere with the look of your windows. Leaving up to 1-inch space from the window frame border, apply adhesive tape to the entire window.
Cellular Shades
honeycomb-like cell pockets to trap air around your windows, keeping your rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They're one of the best window coverings to keep heat out and to keep cold out. Cellular shades come in a wide range of colors.
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.
Types of window treatments include blinds, window shades, shutters, curtains and drapes. Blinds tilt open and closed using a wand or remote device. They have louvers or slats made of various materials.
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.
People avoid Seat 11A on many aircraft (particularly Boeing 737s) because it is a "windowless window seat". Due to the placement of air-conditioning ducts and structural reinforcements over the wing, you will often find yourself staring at a solid wall instead of having a view.
Flight attendants sit on their hands during takeoff and landing as a deliberate safety measure. This posture—part of a standard brace position—locks their arms and hands in place. It prevents their limbs from flailing and minimizes the risk of injury from sudden impacts or turbulence.
You should skip ordering coffee on a plane primarily because the hot water used to brew it comes from the aircraft's onboard, rarely cleaned tap water tanks, which can harbor bacteria. Furthermore, because of altitude, the coffee and water often boil below the standard 212∘F (or 100∘C) required to kill all germs.
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.
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."
Joanna and Chip Gaines' eldest son, Drake, is now a college junior, balancing life as a baseball player at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Drake has developed a passion for cooking protein-packed meals with his girlfriend.
Joanna Gaines has not been diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness; her primary health struggles involve a chronic back injury from high school that required two major microdiscectomy surgeries, most recently in December 2022 to treat herniated discs.
Vinyl blinds and honeycomb shades now feel dated in modern interiors. Cafe curtains in lace or florals can make a space look old-fashioned. Puddling drapes are out for 2025—they trap dust and pose tripping risks.