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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To miss net curtains

117 replies

Poptart4 · 03/04/2021 13:39

Most people I know think net curtains are old fashioned and something only your granny would have but I really think they are better than blinds. They let all the light in but provide privacy as no one can see through them. Blinds, when open, provide no privacy and everyone walking past your house can see straight in.

When I walk around my neighbourhood I've noticed 90% of the houses have their blinds closed all of the time. I'm sure this is because they're uncomfortable with the lack of privacy and dont want randomers staring in at them.

I couldn't live like this. I have to have my blinds open during the day, but would really prefer net curtains.

AIBU to hope curtains make a comeback?

OP posts:
Wendyhause · 03/04/2021 17:11

My dear departed mother always had every window in our home festooned with fancy net curtains and they were her pride and joy. I couldn't wait to get my own home to do the same and remember those scalloped ones which were the bees knees! The fussier the better as I recall. As time went by though I converted to blinds, vertical and venetian depending on my home ( I have had a few) and location of windows and privacy etc.

Now I have a mix of nets/voiles and blinds and I could find fault with each as none are the perfect window dressing but the alternative is not an option. I pass some homes on dark evenings and see families in full view with lights glaring and not a hint of window covering. Maybe they are just exhibitionists.

cariadlet · 03/04/2021 17:20

I don't have nets now because we're in a fairly quiet road and have quite a front garden so only the postman is likely to see in.

But our last house was a terrace with a tiny front yard so it felt as though the window was almost on top of the pavement. I bought voile curtains as soon as we moved in. They were really just net curtains albeit slightly posher and a bit more modern but I thought they were essential to give us some privacy.

EBearhug · 03/04/2021 23:34

My nets are not plain. My nets have sparkly sequins on them. I thought if I was going to have neycuryains, I was really going for it.

Might wash them tomorrow, it's been a while...

PenfoldPenny · 04/04/2021 01:42

You can get really nice embroidered/patterned nets nowadays. I love ours.

AcornAutumn · 04/04/2021 01:46

@Poptart4

I had suggested it but my teen dd insisted she wouldn't be able to show her face in school if we did. According to dd, only poor people have net curtains because they cant afford blinds Confused and she would be teased by the other kids.

I know this is bullshit but I also remember what it's like.to be an awkward teen and dont want to be the reason shes teased in school. Especially has the blinds dont bother me that much. I'd just prefer nets.

You can get nice voile panels.
greenlynx · 04/04/2021 01:51

I voted YABU as the trend is already there. Lots of people around have voiles, me too. I could put blinds but I preferred voiles.

DeePlume · 04/04/2021 02:50

I bought a terraced house which is right on the road and I planned to get nets or blinds to give us some privacy. I ended up not getting anything as I weirdly like people looking in. I think because where I lived before was so quiet i like knowing there is a bit of life going on outside! I think I'm an exhibitionist!

WhereYouLeftIt · 04/04/2021 02:52

Yep, I have voiles on quite a few of our windows - current favourite is from Ikea.

Or maybe a voile blind? www.247blinds.co.uk/essence-purity-roller-blind

To miss net curtains
BarbaraofSeville · 04/04/2021 03:22

@EBearhug

My nets are not plain. My nets have sparkly sequins on them. I thought if I was going to have neycuryains, I was really going for it.

Might wash them tomorrow, it's been a while...

They sound nice, but it's no point us having anything like that as the cats destroy them.

We have a plain voile on the front window that is replaced every few years when it looks really tatty and nothing else on the windows at the back of the house as we're not overlooked.

I really don't like blinds in houses, especially those awful office type blinds. I wouldn't have those if they were free.

BarbaraofSeville · 04/04/2021 03:23

Although I'm surprised that teenagers even notice what sort of window dressing their fellow students parents use.

Nat6999 · 04/04/2021 03:37

I've got voiles & am thinking of going the other way to wooden venetian blinds. I'm fed up of having to wash them & them getting messed up every time the curtains are closed or opened & my photo frames & ornaments ending up between the voile & the glass instead of facing in the room, plus my windows are an odd size to get voiles for.

Icytundra · 04/04/2021 08:23

I took mine down when we thought we needed to move and needed to sell our house.
They went back up about a year after we took the house off the market. Only in the living room but it's at the front of the house and I hate blinds but also hate everyone brings able to see in!

mustlovegin · 04/04/2021 08:53

Cafe curtains (curtains that cover only the bottom half of a window) might be a compromise

^This. Also there are ones with designs that are different from the typical 'net curtain' which do look nice and more stylish

Flowers24 · 04/04/2021 08:55

Eeek so old fashioned can't bear them!!

HappydaysArehere · 04/04/2021 09:43

I gave up net curtains a few years ago. I decided that in the daylight people only had a very limited view and at night I could always pull the curtains. As we “live” in the back room mostly and are not overlooked it doesn’t matter. What a relief. Clear windows and no nets to wash and renew when they go dingy. We do have Georgian type glass however in the front and sides so not entirely plain.

AcornAutumn · 04/04/2021 11:19

@BarbaraofSeville

Although I'm surprised that teenagers even notice what sort of window dressing their fellow students parents use.
Curse of instagram.
catsandchaos · 04/04/2021 11:20

We have some. They don't look old fashioned. Our living room would be like a goldfish bowl without them

Chunkymenrock · 04/04/2021 11:20

We have nets. They're fine. Have what you like, it's your house. There are plenty of contemporary ones, without floral or lace, if you'd prefer those.

knocke · 04/04/2021 11:23

I thought shutters were the new nets

AcornAutumn · 04/04/2021 11:24

@knocke

I thought shutters were the new nets
How, they don't work the sane way and the cost of shutters is eye bleeding!
knocke · 04/04/2021 11:26

As in pretty much every house where I live has shutters & nets have died a death.

The purpose of shutters is to control light & privacy, I thought nets were the same?

knocke · 04/04/2021 11:27

They are expensive but I couldn't be without mine now.

AcornAutumn · 04/04/2021 11:28

@knocke

As in pretty much every house where I live has shutters & nets have died a death.

The purpose of shutters is to control light & privacy, I thought nets were the same?

Nets let light in all the time IYSWIM. Plus they're just there, no faffing.

I do love shutters though.

MagicSummer · 04/04/2021 11:33

I hate net curtains and blinds down all the time. I like light streaming in with nothing covering the windows. If people want to look in, let them!

I never close my bedroom blinds either - cannot bear to sleep in a pitch dark room.

CecilyP · 04/04/2021 11:40

AIBU to hope curtains make a comeback?

Don’t think they ever went away; you’ll find an amazing choice at Dunelm when it opens again. I’m quite lucky not to be overlooked except for my back bedroom which looks into a neighbours kitchen (we’re on a hill) so have no qualms about using a net there.