Blackout curtains should face inward, with the decorative or fabric side facing into your room and the coated or rubberized liner side facing the window glass. This orientation provides the best curb appeal from the outside while maximizing light-blocking and insulation for your space.
TLDR; Drapes should face inward with the decorative side toward the room for aesthetics and privacy, but outward with the lined side toward the window for optimal light-blocking and insulation.
Having a Sheer Curtain in front of a Blockout Curtain softens the appearance of the window, and allows for soft, diffused light to stream throughout the day. In the evening, the Blockout Curtain to be drawn closed for total privacy.
The smooth coated side should face towards the window, with the softer fabric side facing your curtain fabric.
For blackout curtains, yes, they should ideally touch or "kiss" the floor. This length is essential to prevent light from leaking out at the bottom and ensures optimal room-darkening and insulation.
Blackout curtains should face inward (the decorative fabric into the room). The plain or rubbery coated side of the liner should always face the window pane.
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.
Blackout curtains are excellent for light control, but they have notable drawbacks: they block natural sunlight (which can disrupt your body clock and mood), trap heat in the summer, and require heavier hardware. They are also bulkier and often require special cleaning.
The most classic and common of all methods of hanging drapery, a rod pocket is a sewn-in pocket, or casing, at the top of a drapery panel that easily slips over a rod and conceals it. Drapery panels hung this way bunch nicely and have a simple, casual look.
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.
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.”
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.
When drawing your curtains during the day, a blackout lining will ensure the colour of your main drape isn't saturated/washed out by sunlight. The coated side of both thermal coated and blackout coated linings must face the glass to maximize UV and mildew resistant properties.
For most homes, placing sheer curtains closest to the window and blockout curtains behind provides the best balance of light, privacy, and visual appeal.
Not Measuring Correctly. One of the most common mistakes people make when hanging curtains is not measuring correctly. It's important to measure the width of your window and the height from the top of the window to where you want your curtains to fall.
To make blackout curtains look their best, mount the rod several inches above the window frame and extend it well past the sides. This creates an illusion of taller windows, prevents light from bleeding through the edges, and allows the heavy fabric to stack neatly against the wall when open.
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.
How to Make Your Curtains Look More Expensive
The golden rule of hanging curtains is to go high and wide. Mount rods closer to the ceiling than the window frame, and extend them well past the sides. This tricks the eye into perceiving taller ceilings and larger, grander windows, instantly elevating your space.
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 Curtain Styles Designers Avoid—and What They Use Instead
Blackout curtains block light, but they do not always reduce heat because heat enters through sunlight warming the glass, air leaks around the frame, and gaps around the curtain edges.
LUCKY COLOR OF THE YEAR 2026 TRANSFORMATIVE TEAL.
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.