Opaque curtains give you privacy day and night while still letting soft daylight into the room. Unlike sheer curtains, nobody can see in even when your lights are on. Unlike blackout curtains, they don’t block all light, so add a blackout layer if you need full darkness for sleep.
They suit bathrooms, street-facing rooms, living rooms, offices and bedrooms. They also reduce glare, insulate against heat and cold, dampen noise and protect furniture from fading.
Common fabrics are dense cotton, polyester blends, velvet, dense linen and lined or double-woven materials. Current trends include rich velvets, neutral earthy tones, textured weaves and layered sheer-plus-opaque setups.
When buying, check the weave density and color, allow 1.5 to 2.5 times fullness, make sure the curtain extends past the window edges and choose a heading style that suits your room. Read the care label too. Vacuum regularly, and wash gently or dry clean once or twice a year.
