Avoid white curtains in high-traffic areas, spaces with young children or pets where dirt and stains are inevitable, and rooms with warm-toned off-white or cream trims, as bright white can clash. They are also unsuitable for rooms requiring maximum light blockage, like media rooms or bedrooms.
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.
White curtains work well with both warm and cool wall colors. Cream and ivory curtains tend to feel more cohesive with warmer palettes, beige walls, or soft grays, which is why they're such a popular choice for living rooms.
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.”
Even though ornate valances were once a staple in traditional-style homes, they are now considered outdated.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."
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.
A tacky look isn't always the result of bad taste or budget mistakes. Designers say it often comes down to overcommitment—locking into trends, finishes, or layouts to the point that a home stops feeling lived in.
Curtains can be bulky and dust-collecting. Excellent alternatives include sleek roller shades for a minimalist look, Roman shades for soft fabric elegance, plantation shutters for maximum privacy and ventilation, or window films for a renter-friendly, unobstructed view.
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, 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.
Because white is a universal neutral, it technically matches with almost everything. However, certain combinations can look jarring or unflattering depending on the context.
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.
White curtains can go well with almost any wall color and with yellow walls the same holds true.
Trending Window Treatment Ideas for Every Room
Yes, curtains are incredibly stylish. Moving past bare minimalism, modern window treatments have evolved into major, mood-setting statement pieces. The 2026 design landscape focuses on warmth, "quiet luxury," and architectural integration.
LUCKY COLOR OF THE YEAR 2026 TRANSFORMATIVE TEAL.
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.
Most people should wash their sheets once per week. If you don't sleep on your mattress every day, you may be able to stretch this to once every two weeks or so. Some people should wash their sheets even more often than once a week.
Martha Stewart's morning routine includes a 4:00am wake-up, Pilates, and reading the entire newspaper: 'I do all the puzzles.
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).
Matching tones
Look to your bedroom wall colours for inspiration. For instance, if your walls are white, a soft silver pair of curtains or a light-toned bedspread will work perfectly. If, on the other hand, you're looking to complement dark and moody wall colours, try slate grey curtains or vermillion throws.
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.
A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
No, participants on HGTV's Ugliest House in America do not get to keep the staging furniture. Like most reality renovation shows, the furniture and decor are just props.
Since demand outweighs supply, housing prices are higher, and homes sell faster. Meanwhile, the worst months to sell a house are November through March or during the fall to winter, when potential buyers are preoccupied with holiday plans. Sellers should expect lower sales prices and higher DOM during these months.