Curtains

Curtains have to do two jobs at once — control light and actually look good doing it — and a lot of cheap panels only manage one. We’re looking at fabric weight and drape first, since a curtain that hangs stiff or see-through defeats the purpose whether you want blackout coverage or just softer, filtered light. Linen and cotton blends tend to age better than fully synthetic panels, and that’s reflected in what makes this list. We also pay attention to sizing, since a curtain that’s too short or too skimpy for the window ruins the effect no matter how nice the fabric feels in the package.