If you work from home, you've probably dealt with at least one of these problems: glare on your monitor that makes afternoon calls impossible, a room that turns into a sauna by 2pm, or a background that looks washed out on video meetings. The right curtains can fix all of these, but picking the wrong ones means you're stuck with a problem or spending money twice.
This guide covers the main curtain types that actually matter for home offices, how to pick between them based on your specific situation, and some installation choices that affect how well they work.
Light control options: blackout, room darkening, or sheer
The first decision is how much light you want to block. This depends on which direction your windows face and what kind of work you do.
Blackout curtains block 99-100% of light. They're the right choice if your windows face east or west and you get direct sun hitting your screen, or if you do video editing, graphic design, or other work where color accuracy matters. The tradeoff is that when they're closed, you need artificial light even during the day. Most blackout curtains use multiple fabric layers or a foam backing to achieve full light blocking.
Room darkening curtains block about 85-95% of light. They reduce glare and heat without making the room feel like a cave. For most desk jobs involving documents, spreadsheets, or video calls, these work well. You still get some ambient daylight, which helps with energy and focus during long work sessions.
Sheer or light filtering curtains diffuse light without blocking it. Consider these if you're in a north-facing room that never gets direct sun, or if your desk isn't near the window. They soften harsh shadows on video calls and give you privacy from neighbors while keeping the room bright. Some people layer sheers under blackout panels so they can adjust throughout the day.
Thermal insulation: when it's worth paying more
Thermal curtains have a dense weave or special lining that slows heat transfer through your windows. Whether they're worth the extra cost depends on your situation.
They make the biggest difference if you have single-pane windows (common in older homes), large windows that get direct afternoon sun, or if your home office is in a room that's hard to heat or cool evenly. In these cases, thermal curtains can noticeably reduce how often your AC or heater kicks on.
If you already have double-pane windows and decent insulation, the energy savings will be smaller. You might still want them for the comfort factor, since sitting next to a hot or cold window for eight hours gets old, but don't expect dramatic utility bill changes.
Most blackout curtains also provide some thermal insulation because of their thick construction. If you need both light blocking and temperature control, look for curtains marketed as "thermal blackout" rather than buying two separate panels.
Picking colors that work for your space
Color choice for a home office involves practical considerations beyond just matching your decor.
Lighter colors (white, cream, light gray, soft blue) reflect more light back into the room, which helps if you want to maintain brightness while still having curtains closed. They also show less dust and pet hair between cleanings. The downside is they provide less privacy at night when interior lights are on.
Darker colors (navy, charcoal, deep green) absorb more light and provide better privacy. They work well in rooms that already get plenty of natural light or where you want a more enclosed, focused feeling. They show dust more easily and can make small rooms feel smaller.
For video calls specifically, solid colors in the mid-tone range create the cleanest background. Busy patterns or very bright colors can be distracting on camera. If your curtains will be visible behind you on calls, a muted green, blue, or warm neutral reads well on most webcams.
Length and hanging position
Where you mount your curtain rod and how long your curtains are affects both function and how the room looks.
Mounting the rod 4-6 inches above the window frame (or as close to the ceiling as practical) makes ceilings appear higher and windows look larger. This is especially useful in small home offices where you want to avoid a cramped feeling. The tradeoff is you need longer curtains, which costs more.
For length, you have three main options:
Floor length (curtains ending about 1/2 inch above the floor) looks clean and intentional. This works well in most situations and is easiest to maintain.
Puddled (2-3 inches of extra fabric resting on the floor) creates a more formal, luxurious look. Not practical if you have pets, a robot vacuum, or high foot traffic in your office.
Sill length or apron length (ending at the windowsill or a few inches below) works for windows with radiators underneath or deep sills with items on them. It's also easier if you need to open and close the curtains frequently.
For width, curtains should be 1.5 to 2 times the width of your window when you want them to look full when closed. Skimping on width means light gaps at the edges and a flat, cheap appearance.
Fabric choices and maintenance
The fabric you choose affects how your curtains hang, how long they last, and how much work they require to keep looking good.
Polyester and polyester blends are the most practical choice for most home offices. They resist fading from sun exposure, don't wrinkle easily, and can usually be machine washed. Most blackout and thermal curtains use polyester because it holds up well to the coatings and backings these curtains require.
Cotton and linen look more natural and breathe better, but they fade faster in direct sunlight and wrinkle more easily. If you choose natural fibers, expect to iron them occasionally or accept a more relaxed, lived-in look. Pure linen especially will soften and drape differently over time.
Velvet and heavier woven fabrics provide excellent light blocking and sound absorption, which can help if your home office shares walls with noisy areas of the house. They're also harder to clean and can look too formal for casual spaces.
For dust and allergens, tightly woven synthetic fabrics accumulate less dust than textured or natural fabrics. If you have allergies or pets, this is worth considering. Machine washable curtains that you can throw in the laundry every few months will stay cleaner than dry-clean-only options that realistically never get cleaned.
Quick reference: matching curtains to common problems
Screen glare in the afternoon: Blackout or room darkening curtains on west-facing windows. Consider a curved rod that lets you angle the curtain to block the specific sun angle.
Room gets too hot: Thermal curtains in a light, reflective color. White or off-white with thermal backing reflects heat back outside rather than absorbing it.
Video call background looks bad: Solid color curtains in a mid-tone shade. Avoid patterns. Make sure curtains are wide enough to fully cover the window behind you.
Need privacy but want natural light: Layer sheer curtains under room darkening panels, or use top-down bottom-up cellular shades instead of curtains.
Small room feels cramped: Mount rod near ceiling, use floor-length curtains, choose lighter colors. Avoid heavy fabrics with lots of texture.
