
22. …Or, Remove Curtains Completely (When Appropriate)
In very few specific cases, curtains might actually take away from the space or the light in your apartment. For example, in New York City, they have a lot of old brownstone buildings with big windows encased in brick. And in Philadelphia, you’ll have a lot of apartments made from converted industrial buildings. These apartments are also made of brick, and have huge windows that were meant to let in the light for factory workers over a hundred years ago. If you live in a unique architectural urban setting like this, it’s difficult to find curtains that fit the size of these windows. Honestly, if you covered the windows in this kind of apartment, it would take away from the much-needed sunlight. It would also cover up the gorgeous character and charm of the building that probably attracted you to move there in the first place.

The only obvious downside to skipping curtains is that you need to be prepared for neighbors to see inside. Use your better judgement, and always go with curtains in the bedroom. If your apartment is not architecturally unique, curtains are a must-have thing. In most other buildings in the United States, a room without curtains gives off the vibe that you don’t care very much about your space, and it makes people feel exposed and uncomfortable, even if they can’t put their finger on why. I once met a man who insisted on never hanging curtains in his living room, because he wanted the sunlight. When the time came to sell his apartment, no one wanted to buy it. Dozens of people saw the place, and it only sold once he finally caved and hung curtains. I promise that curtains will transform the room completely.