Shopping·7 min read

Curtains and Blinds for Every Need, From Blackout to Cordless

Venetian blinds, cordless blinds, outdoor curtains and more
Design: theSkimm | Image: Society6
October 12, 2022

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How you do (or don’t) dress up the windows in your home can make a big impact on the look and feel of your space. Whether you’re moving into a new place or looking to change things up as we head into cooler seasons — hi, thermal curtains — we’ve rounded up options you may want to consider. Like wooden blinds that’ll change the vibe of your space, room-darkening curtains for light sleepers, and cordless blinds that’ll give you peace of mind if you’ve got kids in the house. And if you’re in the market for more home decor inspo, check out our fave cozy finds under $80, space-saving furniture pieces, and smart products to organize your small bathroom.

room darkening curtains
Amazon

Room-darkening, thermal curtains perfect for light sleepers…

They’ll block anywhere from 85–98% of sunlight, with the darker colors having better blackout capabilities. Plus, they’re designed to help retain heat in the winter and keep it out during the summer. The curtains are made from a silky poly blend with a beautiful drape that’s machine washable and looks much more high-quality than its price tag would have you believe. (One HQ’r has been using these for years and can confirm they hold up great.) Did we mention they come in over 20 colors and 10 sizes? Time to get some Zzz’s. ($10.47+, Amazon)

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Wooden blinds
Home Depot

Faux-wooden blinds designed with “no-hole” slats…

So you’ll have total light and privacy control. These slats are made from heat- and moisture- resistant materials that are energy efficient and won’t warp or crack — perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, and even garages. Plus, they’re cordless and have been designed to be 25% larger than standard wooden blinds so you’ll get a wider outside view. Get ‘em in a chestnut, espresso, gray, or white embossed wood grain. Privacy never looked so good. ($35.47+, Home Depot)

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Venetian blinds
Wayfair

Venetian blinds with a classic design…

Thanks to the large faux wooden slats that fold in seamlessly, they’ll keep unwanted light out of any room. You can use these in both indoor and outdoor spaces, and cleaning is a cinch — just dust or wipe with a damp cloth. Choose from three traditional colors: white, gray, or mahogany. ($39.99, Wayfair)

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Cordless blinds
Select Blinds

Cordless blinds ideal for homes with small kids…

These will help keep your home at a more consistent temperature throughout the year and may help cut down on energy costs. They’ve been made with a wrinkle- and sag-resistant fabric so they’ll hold up over time, and they’ve got a difficulty ranking of 1 — aka installing them is a breeze. We love the stone wall and basalt shades, but if darker tones aren’t your style, choose from one of the other eight colors available. ($31.27+, Select Blinds)

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thermal curtains
Select Blinds

Solar shades perfect for super-sunny rooms…

Time to say ‘see ya’ to any annoying glare when you’re just trying to binge your fave TV shows. These shades come in over 30 different colors and opacities so you can customize their light-blocking (and UV ray-blocking) abilities. Choose between a continuous cord or a cordless lift style for no extra charge, or go big with the remote-controlled lift option for kid-friendly, touchless ease. Bonus: These come with a free three-year limited warranty, but you can pay extra for five-year limited or unlimited options as well. ($38.15+, Select Blinds

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room darkening curtains
Society6

Blackout curtains with a modern design…

These aren’t your grandma’s curtains. They’ve got a simple Rothko-inspired design with a pop of color at the bottom to brighten up your space. Customers rave about the quality of the soft jersey material and its ability to trap heat. You can buy the curtain as a single panel or a set of two, and it comes in two different length options. ($84.15+, Society6

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Sound absorbing curtains
Amazon

A sound-absorbing blackout curtain that also works to partition rooms…

Use it if you’ve got a roommate and you need a lil’ extra separation, to block off your home office, or if you’re just looking for an easy way to split up your living area. It’s made from a thick triple-weave polyester fabric that works well at dampening sound. It comes in a ton of colors and sizes, so it’ll fit with whatever you’re working with. Psst…it’s machine washable and customers love its light-blocking abilities. ($19.95+, Amazon)

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Wood curtains
Home Depot

Woven wood shades for a beachy feel…

If you’d always rather be on a tropical vacation, bring those vibes into your home all year long with these shades. They’re made with a blend of grass cloth, jute, straw, sisal, bamboo reeds, and bamboo slats, and come in over 30 different colors. They’ll fit windows ranging from 10 to 144 inches in width and 12 to 120 inches in height. And if you want to check out the finishes in person first, you can order up to 10 free samples before committing. ($54.81+, Home Depot)

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room darkening curtains
Amazon

Light-filtering curtains meant for outdoor use…

If the seating area on your porch or in your yard gets a little too bright on sunny days, these will be your saving grace. The outdoor curtains come in a heavy-duty canvas-like fabric that’s mildew resistant and can be spot-cleaned or washed by hand. Privacy while you’re lounging? Priceless. ($26.36, Amazon)

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