Do People Hang Curtains Anymore? Real Talk About Window Trends

Peek into any home magazine and you'll see blinds, shades, and sometimes—yup—classic curtains. So, are curtains making a comeback or are people moving on? The honest answer: curtains never exactly left. But the way people use them has definitely changed.

Today's curtain game is about more than blocking out the sun or nosy neighbors. Folks choose curtains for mood, privacy, and even energy savings. Some rooms scream for dramatic floor-to-ceiling drapes, while other spots do better with minimal roller shades (or nothing at all). If you’re thinking about curtains for your windows, you’re not out of touch or behind on trends. You’re just part of a mix—the great curtain debate is alive and well.

• Are Curtains Still Popular?
• Curtains vs. Alternatives: What’s Winning?
• Reasons People Still Love (or Ditch) Curtains
• How to Choose the Right Curtains for Your Place
• Tips for Hanging and Maintaining Curtains

Are Curtains Still Popular?

Let’s get real: curtains haven’t vanished from living rooms and bedrooms. Scroll TikTok or Instagram, and you’ll find loads of DIY-ers hanging bold prints, sheers, or blackout panels. And it’s not just for aesthetics. In 2024, a survey by the National Association of Home Builders showed about 65% of homeowners still use some kind of curtain or drapery as their main window treatments.

The pandemic got a lot of people rethinking their spaces. Curtains became popular again for adding a cozy, private feel—especially in home offices and bedrooms. People want comfort, and nothing beats soft, fabric panels for taking a room from bare to inviting.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Here’s what’s trending for home decor and curtains right now:

• Layering: Pairing curtains with shades or blinds for extra privacy and style.
• Eco-friendly fabrics: Cotton, linen, and recycled materials are in.
• Bold colors and prints: More people are skipping boring beige for something that pops.
• Sheer panels: Let in a ton of light but still soften harsh sun or nosy views.

If you walk into a new apartment complex or a model home today, you’re way more likely to see curtains than bare windows. It’s proof that, despite everything new on the market, curtains are still holding their own.

Numbers may dip or rise, but as long as homes have windows, curtains will keep showing up. They just might look a little different than they did in your grandma’s living room.

Curtains vs. Alternatives: What’s Winning?

Look around—window treatments aren’t what they used to be. Roller shades, cellular blinds, shutters, and even bare windows are all fighting for space next to classic curtains. Each option has a fan base, but here’s how they stack up right now.

Curtains are still super popular for cozy vibes and privacy. They’re easy to swap out with mood or seasons, and you can toss most fabric curtains in the wash. People love how curtains soften a room and cover flaws (cracked window trim, anyone?). But there’s a catch: some folks find them a pain to hang, and kids or pets might yank them down.

Blinds and shades, on the other hand, are winning in homes where clean, modern, or minimalist looks rule. Faux-wood blinds and motorized shades are especially hot for people who want control with a click or remote. They’re neat, don’t collect as much dust, and offer just-right light filtering. Shutters—think classic white plantation style—are trendy, too, especially in kitchens.

There’s no official winner, because it’s really about your space and priorities. Families might stick with curtains for safety and sound dampening. Tech fans lean toward smart shades. Apartment dwellers often mix—using curtains in bedrooms, blinds in main spaces. If allergies are a thing, blinds or shutters may help, since there’s less fabric to trap dust.

The real trend? Mixing things up. You’ll see people combine blackout curtains with sleek shades or layer sheers for texture without looking old-school. The idea is to meet needs for style, function, and price—no judgment.

Reasons People Still Love (or Ditch) Curtains

People get pretty opinionated about curtains. You’ve got die-hard fans who wouldn’t dream of bare windows, and others who think curtains belong in another era. Here’s why both camps have a point.

Why People Still Love Curtains:

• Privacy & Light Control: Curtains do a killer job blocking views and adjusting sunlight, way better than most blinds or shades. They’re perfect for bedrooms or living rooms where you want to tweak the lighting or keep nosy neighbors out.
• Style & Personality: Nothing warms up a room like the right pair of curtains. Patterns, colors, textures—you can swap them out on a whim and totally change a space. One survey from Houzz found that 60% of homeowners choose window treatments to boost the look of their living area.
• Insulation: Good curtains aren’t just for show. They help cut drafts and keep rooms cozy in winter or cooler in summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, insulated drapes can reduce heat loss by up to 25% when drawn at night.
• Budget-Friendly: While custom blinds get pricey, you can grab a decent pair of curtains without draining your bank account. Even IKEA has basic panels that do the trick.

“Soft window treatments like curtains bring comfort and function, with a versatility you just don’t get from hard blinds.”
– Emily Henderson, Interior Stylist

Why Some People Ditch Curtains:

• Minimalist Trends: Lately, lots of people crave clean, unfussy spaces. Bare windows or simple roller shades look sleeker, especially in urban apartments.
• Maintenance: Curtains attract dust and pet hair, and need a decent wash now and then. That turns some people off, especially in busy or allergy-prone households.
• Natural Light: If you live somewhere sunny or have an awesome view, bare windows just let it all in. For some, more glass and less fabric feels fresh.

A quick side-by-side look at what pushes folks one way or the other:

Bottom line? The curtain debate doesn’t really end—just shifts with trends and personal needs.

How to Choose the Right Curtains for Your Place

Picking the right curtains sounds simple, but the options can mess with your head. The deal is, you want something that looks good and actually works for your space. There’s more at play than just a color or pattern you like. Start with a few basic steps and you’ll avoid that awkward “why did I buy these?” moment.

• Measure before you buy. This isn’t just about how wide the window is. Measure the height, where you want the rod, and if you want the curtains to touch the floor or hover a bit above. Pro-tip: Aim to mount your rod about 4-6 inches above the window frame for a taller look.
• Think about function. What do you need? Total darkness for sleep? Extra privacy? Just a pop of color? Blackout curtains are awesome for bedrooms or media spaces, while sheer curtains keep things bright but offer a little cover. Room darkening curtains block most light but not all.
• Match your style, not your grandma’s. There’s a massive difference between dated floral prints and crisp linen panels. Modern window treatments come in everything from minimal solids to bold graphics. Look at what’s already in your room and pick a vibe that fits—there’s no need to match fabrics exactly, just keep things in the same style family.
• Don’t ignore material. Polyester is affordable and easy to wash, while linen and heavy cotton look higher-end but can cost more. Velvet adds drama and warmth, but it collects dust. If allergies are a thing at your house, go for lighter fabrics you can throw in the wash.

Budget matters, too. Curtain prices are all over the map—big box stores start around $20 a panel, but custom or designer brands can run into the hundreds. For a quick comparison, check out this snapshot:

Lastly, hardware matters. Those skinny plastic rods? Not great for heavy drapes. Go for sturdy metal if your window treatments are on the heavier side, and don’t forget to factor in the cost of rods and brackets.

Bottom line: the best curtains are the ones that handle your light and privacy needs, hold up to your lifestyle, and look like they belong in your space—without wrecking your budget.

Tips for Hanging and Maintaining Curtains

Getting curtains right means more than picking a nice color. How you hang them and keep them fresh can change everything—privacy, light control, and the whole vibe of your space depend on the basics done well.

First up: measure your windows. Use a tape measure, and don’t just eyeball it. Measure the width and length you want your curtains to cover. For a classic look, go wider—curtains should usually be about twice the width of your window when fully stretched out. For height, hanging the rod closer to the ceiling (instead of right on top of the window frame) adds a ton of drama and makes ceilings feel taller.

• Mount your hardware securely. Use wall anchors if your brackets aren’t screwing into studs—no one wants a mid-movie curtain collapse.
• Steam or iron your curtains before hanging. Wrinkles look cheap and are distracting.
• For heavy or blackout styles, check the rod’s weight limit. Lightweight rods get bent or saggy over time if the window treatments are too heavy.
• Keep curtains at least a half-inch off the floor to avoid dragging, unless you’re aiming for that pooled fabric look (which, warning, gathers dust faster).

On the maintenance side, basic care keeps home decor looking sharp. Most fabric panels (especially cotton and poly blends) can be tossed in the washing machine every few months—just check the tag first. Velvet, silk, or lined curtains should usually be dry cleaned. Every month or so, give them a shake or run a vacuum brush attachment along the panels to knock off dust and pet hair.

If you’re a pet owner, static and fur are the enemy. A lint roller helps a lot. Stuck on stains? A bit of diluted dish soap on a sponge usually works for most washable fabrics.

Little effort goes a long way. Well-maintained curtains make your space look intentional, not accidental—and honestly, clean curtains can actually improve air quality thanks to the dust they trap. Don’t let your window treatments become a pain; just make curtain care a tiny part of your normal routine.