The Uplift is a monthly series in which our Style & Trends Editor Charlotte Olby uncovers the best decor to bring joy to your home. She consults our experts and picks through thousands of pieces from the biggest designers and retailers to bring you the very best.
Summer is upon us, and with that comes the natural need to throw those windows and doors open in search of sunlight and a gentle breeze. So it makes sense that switching out your window treatments when the warmer weather starts to hit is an excellent way to get your home summer-ready.
And the editors at Homes & Gardens agree. Summer is all about bringing the outdoors in. Lightweight, airy fabrics such as sheer bamboo blinds or linen drapes can replace heavier winter materials, allowing sunlight to filter through and brighten your rooms. They can really set the tone of a room, provide privacy, and control natural light, making window treatments a versatile and impactful addition to any space.
Personally, I am remodeling and have curtains and blinds to source for just about every room in my home. I'm on a personal mission to find window treatments to shop this June that deliver on style and quality and that are purse-friendly without compromising on those two key attributes. So I've taken on hours of research to source my top picks.
Here, I've tapped into the expert minds of the H&G editors to help me find the very best curtains and blinds out there. Whether you're looking for something soft, subtle, and neutral, a trend-led cafe curtain, or perhaps a more statement-making drape, there's a perfect option for every aesthetic below. Here's what we found.
'These curtains feel so warm and sunny,' says Emilia Hitching, Sleep Editor. 'Long, lean stripes could look a bit stark, but the hand-painted effect softens things up.'
'I'm getting the 50" x 96" panels to frame my living room windows. In my dream house, with higher ceilings and great big French doors, I'd get the 50" x 120" panels.'
'Amazon for blinds? At that price and with those reviews I am willing to give them a try, plus these are the kinds of blinds I will put up in the summer and take down in the winter to replace with something more seasonal, so I don't want to fork out a lot,' explains Head of Interiors, Hebe Hatton.
'I love the trend for bamboo blinds, they add texture and a rustic nod to any room and work especially well in a kitchen which is where I plan to hang these.'
H&G's Kitchens & Bathrooms Editor Molly Malsom is a big fan of a lightweight curtain in the summer.
'They let in the beautiful morning light, and I love the way they flow when a light breeze comes in. These linen curtains are a great alternative to the white sheer curtains that have been popular. The natural color adds warmth to a room and feels more organic.'
Did you know that most of the light that floods in through your window comes from the top 1/3? Cafe curtains, while they're super on trend, are also perfect as they give you privacy and allow the natural light to come in unblocked. I'm eyeing these up for my bathroom.
'These striped velvet curtains by Sarah Sherman Samuel are high on my home decor wishlist right now,' says Paint & Color Editor Emily Moorman. 'I recently moved into a new apartment which is currently without living room curtains, and these fit the bill perfectly! I love the weighty look and subtle stripe detail which adds interest, while the earthy copper tones will bring warmth to the room’s light neutral walls.'
The former fashion editor in me is fangirling over the new West Elm x Rhode collaboration. Known for their distinctive prints, these scalloped-edge curtains live up to the hype. Super fun and whimsical, I think these would make great bedroom curtains paired with a blackout Roman blind.
'I'm a big fan of bold colors and my home really reflects that,' says Anna Aylward, Social Media Editor at H&G. 'I'm currently on a mission to update my living room with more jewel tones to reflect the art I have on my walls and these embroidered curtains are the perfect fit.'
'I love the look of window shutters and wanted to bring them into my kitchen - without having to spend a fortune, so I've invested in some of these Venetian blinds from Wayfair,' says Laura Honey, eCommerce Editor. 'They're simple and private and, the wood effect matches my kitchen cabinets too.'
Head of Celebrity Style News Megan Slack says: 'I’ve long been saving photos of French cafe-style interiors to my inspiration board, and nothing epitomizes this look quite like the perfect curtain. This summer, I’m finally embracing the look with these delicate pleat curtains – perfect for the small window in my kitchen (and a beautiful coffee corner, if your space allows).
'In true French cafe culture, I’m going to pair it with some lavender and these vintage lacy placemats.'
'I've been searching for blinds that add design value to my living room while still blocking out the light, and these are up to the task,' says Abby Wilson, Interior Design News Editor. 'The paper-woven fabric comes in a calming gray shade means these blend easily into most design schemes, and give your room depth and dimension when closed.'
A recent obsession of mine has to be traditional Indian block printing. I've just ordered some bedroom wallpaper in a similar design, and will be ordering these 53% linen, 47% cotton drapes to create a a bold statement in my guest bedroom. Plus, you can select to order these with either a blackout liner or a light-filtering liner to suit your preference. I'm sold.
'If you're looking for something a bit more interesting than simple white, gray, or brown blinds but don't want to go too colorful, these Roman shades are the perfect choice,' suggests Abby Wilson. 'I love that the bold, black border adds emphasis to the room without overwhelming the space.'
Whether you love a simple blind or prefer to make a statement at your windows, there's surely something to suit your style here. From luxury, trend-led buys from Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, and Lulu & Georgia to more function-first and budget-friendly picks from Wayfair and Amazon, our editors have used their years of shopping and interiors knowledge to bring you an edit of the best. Happy shopping!
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