Hilary Farr Shares Her Decor Tip For Privacy Without Sacrificing Natural Light

Ah, the timeless debate of privacy vs. natural light in your home. It's an argument that never seems to fully be resolved, with people constantly struggling to find a happy compromise between the two sides. Natural light and big windows are great until you feel like your neighbors are watching you more than their favorite TV show, and you're left exposed to anyone walking by. On the other hand, covering up these windows with thick, heavy curtains will only take away all your light and leave you resorting to lamps and fluorescent light bulbs. But what if you could have both natural light and privacy? In an episode of the HGTV show "Love It or List It," Hilary Farr shows how to use lace curtains to achieve privacy without sacrificing the natural light from your big windows.

Sheer lace curtains are a timeless addition to any room and have been around for a long time, never quite going out of style for the exact reason Farr recommends them. Although the lace and patterns in the fabric are sheer, they provide a good level of privacy and shield you from your neighbors, and your neighbors from you. It's also one of the best ways to improve natural light in your home because of the sheerness that allows light to stream in, as well as the white or ivory color that makes the room feel brighter. However, if you want an extra layer of privacy but still want the lace look, you could always use a lace curtain overlay to give your room a vintage touch.

Just like any other fabric, there are many different types of lace curtains to choose from, including unique colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes. Although a white or pale lace is a smart way to brighten up a dark room, any color of lace will provide you with the same level of privacy and filtering of natural light. As for patterns, there are both horizontal striped laces and vertical striped laces. Either is a good option, but horizontal lace patterns tend to have a more casual, trendy look that works best in a living room or bedroom, whereas vertical striped lace elongates the ceilings with a more formal style and does better in a dining room or office space.

The size of your curtains depends on your room and how large your windows are as well, and there are many options. You could go with full-length lace down to the floor for an elegant look with expansive windows, lacy swags for more of a farmhouse feel, or even asymmetrical, draped panels of lace to create a vintage vibe. Just make sure that the size fits in your room and against your windows. Whichever style you choose, you'll be sure to enjoy your new curtains while bathing in plenty of peaceful light.