I know what you mean. I had the same reaction, when I took down my curtains for washing. You could put up curtain rods wider than your windows, so that the entire window is exposed when the curtains are open. I tie my kitchen curtains together in the middle of each panel. That exposes more window area than if I actually open the curtains.

Lorna

Lorna

We added an addition last year with triple windows and French doors that give views of the back yard. I still plan to put bamboo shades on the triple windows (eventually), but I've decided to leave the French doors as is.

Only miniblinds that stay up most of the time. We have large windows, and being able to see a garden is a must for me.

Semi-sheer draw drapes that are usually drawn open to expose all but the window frame, topped with a swag on a simple decorative rod.

Like you, I don't want anything to interfere with the sunlight shining in or the view out (just redid the front border last fall and this spring stained that picket fence white so all the roses and perennials really stand out and now I think I know how a cat feels upon discovering a bed of fresh catnip!) It's also nice, when approaching the house and pulling in the drive in the evening, to see the harp resting on the piano and the brass chandelier glowing in the dining room ... just a pretty and welcoming sight to me. Take note of what you and others will see through those windows.

My solution is easy. No curtains.. I swear. 6 years here and i havent put any curtains up in the kitchen. living room or dining room. I wouldn't dare. If you had my views- i bet you woulndt either. and I have really nice windows too.

Now i do intend to leave the two bay/bow windows this way- but the other regualr windows eventually need curtains. haha
I say sheer as you can go. if the neighbors see me naked- well they won't look again I tell ya that.

LOL

I have a cute story about a friend of mine, who never closed her kitchen curtains because she figured nobody could see in. There was a large, leafy tree screening her window. She lived in a third floor apartment.

She didn't notice that the tree had dropped its leaves in late fall! One night she got up and went to the kitchen for a drink of water, au natural. As she stood at the sink, she happened to look out the window. She was shocked to see that a man in an old Victorian house across the street was standing at his third floor window gaping at her. She dropped to the floor and crawled to the light switch to turn it off. After she told me about her embarrassment, I teased her mercilessly about being oblivious to her surroundings.

Lorna

We're also a no curtains house (except in the bedrooms). Our views are mostly private and if people have nothing better to do than peer in our windows, let them! :-)

I find its especially nice to have bare windows in summer. In winter, curtains make it a little cosier. Same goes with rugs, sometimes.

I have second floor views from my upstairs apartment, but since it's in a country home with no neighbors next door, I don't bother with drapes... plus, I need all the sunshine I can get to come IN for my houseplant collection.

If I add anything, it will be decorative rods with scarf swags draped over them. Or, I'll frame the window top portion with grapevine and silk florals... or something decorative that doesn't detract from the views or the interior.

I use roll up matchstick blinds. I only roll them down in the evening when I'm watching TV, otherwise they are up.
You can basically see through them anyway, but it makes me feel like I'm not completely in a fishbowl....
Besides, I got new windows this spring that are pretty, compared to my ancient wooden ones that I had to prop open before.

Mindy

most windows only have twig or grapevine valances - a few have lace valances but nothing to obstruct my view of the yard - backyard is totally private with several acres of woods behind us. I keep taking my miniblinds down and using them for plant markers for my wintersowing - lol - I never have them down covering the windows anyway except for my Mothers bedroom who does need the privacy......

Lynne

I'm "cottage" inside and out so I like sheers and valances, nothing too heavy like traditional drapes. We are on the top of a hill, very private, so I really don't need anything unless someone ventures up the steep 700' drive to the house. They would be able to see in the living room windows unless it was after we go to bed - I pull the roller shades down at night. I have the old-fashioned roller shades on most of the windows. They are hidden at the top by the valances and they work so well for very little money compared to most window coverings. I just couldn't see spending a lot on something else when I rarely pull the blinds. We have 23 windows, plus french doors and a 6' slider in the kitchen. I love lots of light. : )

Diana

No curtains anywhere except in the bedrooms. I spent all of my window treatment money on gardening! LOL

Seriously, we don't need drapes for privacy elsewhere and don't want to hide the views. Our windows are LowE with UV protection and we're set up for passive solar, so we don't really have a temperature/sun control issue.

Cameron

Yep, no curtains here either. At least in the back of the house. I do have blinds on the windows that face front.

We have an acre with trees separating us from the folks to the rear. I have grapevine valances in the dining area and small lacy valances in the living room.

The views out back are important to me. I'm not covering them up.

i'm so glad others of you are liek me and have no curtains.. my very "victorian/traditional" ( over done in my brain) mother in law cant STAND that i dont have curtains or blinds.I dont have neighbors that can see in unless they are walking by late at night on this dead end street that juts into the wildlife reserve!

anyway- she b*tched forever abou tit.. and finally shut up. only took 5 years.My husband is cheap, and that's his reason- but i didnt want any! haha

He wanted miniblinds in the bedrooms ( in the back of the hosue that faces our acre of property that backs up to more woods?? what?? well- the hosue came with blins in our bedrom and office- so i left them though i hat them. and when i re-do each room i will take them out and re-visit that notion..!

The babys' room does have shades and curtains which are hand made and designed to match the rest of his room which i painted with tons of animals and such. it's a fun room.
He needs those shades- to keep it dim , otherwise he would rather watch the birds than take his nap!! when he was an infant i had to pull the shades down cuz instead of nursing he'd stare at the moon. haha
little brat. ;)

thanks for having some other "no curtain" folks here.
Lorna- i could totally see myself having a "surprise" like your friend did. . haha

My mother thinks I'm crazy for not having curtains in all the rooms of our house. I just love the natural light and I'm not worried about people looking in.

You could always go for something sheer. It'll still give you a bit of privacy while letting lots of light in and they're easy to pull back.

Tracy