Which curtains are good for different seasons?
Table of Contents
- 1 Realistic map of Musaffah's seasons
- 2 Why do confident choices change with the seasons?
- 3 Which curtain is best in summer?
- 4 Which curtain is suitable in winter?
- 5 How to match curtains in the transition season
- 6 Best curtain fabrics by season
- 7 Cheap solution for changing curtains according to the season (Budget Guide)
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions❓
In Musaffah, the environment in a house changes rapidly with the seasons: heat increases in summer, light decreases in winter, and humidity can make the home uncomfortable. Using the same type of curtains year-round does not provide the right level of comfort, light control, or privacy. Choosing curtains according to the season makes it easier to keep your home cool, control light, increase comfort, and reduce unnecessary costs. In this guide, you’ll find easy ideas for choosing curtains based on the season, which fabrics work best in which seasons, and which changes are most effective in which rooms.
Realistic map of Musaffah's seasons
Although many people refer to Musaffah as having “four seasons,” the weather actually behaves very differently. The summers last long, the winters stay short, and the in-between periods bring dust and humidity. This change is felt more intensely in this area, especially where the sun, heat, and dust are more active.
The most effective way to understand curtain selection is the “3 season model”: Peak Summer, Mild Winter, Dusty Transition. During the summer, curtains not only block light but also help keep the room cool; In the winter, you need light curtains to retain daylight. If you don’t buy washable fabric during the dusty season, the room will look dirty quickly.
In which season can you get real benefits from changing curtains? You notice the biggest difference between the Peak Summer and the Dusty Season. In summer, blackout + thermal lining keeps the room cool, and when there is a lot of dust, washable, light-filtering curtains provide comfort.
The Western country’s season guide does not fully apply here, as its weather alternates between cold and heat. In contrast, the sun, heat, humidity, and dust here significantly influence curtain choice. Therefore, choosing curtains based on the local season enhances both home comfort and energy efficiency.
Why do confident choices change with the seasons?
As the seasons change, the light, heat, and comfort in the room change, so the need for curtains naturally changes too. In summer, light control is the biggest issue. The sun is very intense, so if the curtains are too thin, the room looks bright and uncomfortable. In winter, when some light comes in, the room stays warm and comfortable.
Heat and UV blocking are also significant factors. The sun’s UV is very high, so in the summer, blackout or thermal lining keeps the room cool and reduces furniture color fading. In the winter, this strong blocking is not needed, where light-filtering fabric provides more comfort.
AC efficiency and curtain choice make a difference. In summer, when heat enters the room, the AC runs more, so using efficient curtains helps save electricity. In winter, heavy curtains can make the room unusually cold.
The balance between privacy and brightness also varies according to the season. In summer, the light outside is intense, so you need to reduce it while maintaining privacy. In winter, the sun is soft, so a bit of light makes the room feel lively. Therefore, it is most reasonable to choose a curtain based on the season.
Which curtain is best in summer?
The heat here in summer is so intense that if you choose the wrong curtains, the room will heat up quickly. So when selecting curtains during this time, you need to consider controlling light, heat, and UV equally.
Blackout & thermal lining is the most effective solution during summer. They significantly reduce both sun and heat, resulting in less AC usage and a cooler room. If you are on a tight budget, a simple blackout with light lining can also yield good results. Light, heat-reflective colors work best in summer. White, ivory, beige, or light gray colors absorb less sun, resulting in a cooler interior temperature. It is best to avoid very dark colors, as they heat up quickly.
In terms of fabric, thick weave fabrics (such as tightly woven cotton or blends) are suitable for blocking out the sun, but budget and weight are often an issue. In that case, polyester blends, which are lightweight, washable, and heat-blocking, are a practical and affordable option. West-facing rooms are where the sun is most intense, so a double-layer setup is very effective, not just blackout. You can reduce glare by keeping the sheer in the day, and pulling the blackout down in the afternoon reduces the heat.
Which curtain is suitable in winter?
Although the winters here are not very cold, the house still feels a little chilly in the evenings, and light breezes enter through gaps in the windows and doors. Therefore, it is better to choose winter curtains that keep the house comfortable and allow adequate daytime brightness. Slightly heavy fabrics like velvet-blend, triple-weave, or medium-thick cotton blend work well in the winter. They keep the heat in and reduce drafts. At the same time, not exactly heavy velvet, velvet-blend, or triple-weave are balanced winter options.
A cozy color palette during winter gives a home a warm, comfortable feel. Warm beige, mocha, muted olive, deep taupe, or dusty charcoal, these colors are perfect for a winter evening. Layering (sheer + blackout) works great in winter to maintain a day/night balance. Sheer curtains let in light during the day, while blackout curtains help keep in warmth at night. This provides privacy, light control, and comfort in the room.
Draft control is essential for those living in villas or who feel cold air enters near large windows and doors. Heavy curtains reduce the temperature drop near the window. Keeping the correct curtain length on both sides, with the side coverage and bottom on both sides, further reduces the amount of air entering.
How to match curtains in the transition season
During transition, you need a balance between light and privacy. That’s why light-filtering fabrics work best. Keeping the sheer on during the day softens the light, and pulling the blackout down when needed provides privacy. For many, the year-round sheer + medium blackout combo is the most practical, as it works well in all seasons, hot, cold, and in between.
Best curtain fabrics by season
Cotton & linen
These two types of fabrics help maintain a soft, comfortable atmosphere indoors on hot days. They are breathable, which means they retain less heat, and the colors don’t fade too quickly, even when used in the sun.
Polyester blends
For those who want to stay on a budget and avoid the hassle of frequent washing, polyester blends are perfect. They are dust-resistant, color-fast, and require little maintenance even in year-round weather. They are great for both rental properties and busy lifestyles.
Velvet & faux suede
If you want to keep your home warm in the winter, a slightly heavier, softer texture like velvet or faux suede works great. Their weight helps retain heat in the room and creates a cozy ambiance, especially in villa-style rooms or large living areas. They also enhance the room’s look in a winter-themed setup.
Sheer / semi-sheer
Sheer is great for softly letting light into a room during the day. It’s not completely visible from the outside, and the room doesn’t feel dark either. For those who want to keep their home open during the transition season, sheer or semi-sheer is very practical, as it balances both privacy and brightness.
Which fabrics should you avoid in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi?
In the hot, dusty climate here, silk deteriorates quickly, and heavy velvet attracts excess dust. It is also more challenging to wash and clean, and the color fades easily. So, it is better to avoid such materials if you want long-term use or if you are on a low budget.
Cheap solution for changing curtains according to the season (Budget Guide)
It’s not necessary to replace the entire curtain with the change of season. With a bit of understanding, you can maintain both seasonal comfort and the room’s look on a very small budget.
Change only the sheer layer.
Even if you keep the blackout the same in winter, just changing the sheer can change the room’s atmosphere. In summer, get a light-filtering sheer; in winter, get a warm-tone sheer to change the tone completely, and it’s also less expensive.
Add/remove detachable lining.
You can fit many blackout or cotton curtains with a detachable lining. Keep the thermal lining on in the summer, and remove it in the winter to make the curtain look light and airy. You can use the same curtain year-round.
Ready-made vs custom
If the size is standard, a ready-made is the best cheap solution. But if the window height or width differs, just buying the fabric and having it stitched by a cheap tailor can still achieve a custom look on a smaller budget.
Seasonal color change without new curtains
Simply changing the tieback, sheer color, or overlay fabric can completely change the seasonal tone of your room without buying new curtains. Go for light/neutral in summer; warm/mocha or muted earthy shades in winter.
Smart upgrades (AED 80–150 range)
To increase the impact of a room at an affordable cost, raise the curtain rod a little, increase side coverage, or use simple wave hooks to improve the look greatly. In the summer, fixing the side sealing of the blackout will also reduce heat penetration.
In Abu Dhabi’s climate, changing curtains seasonally can make a room feel much more comfortable. Choosing the right fabric, choosing the right rod placement, and layering are the three key elements.
If you live in Musaffah and want to know which seasonal curtain would best suit your room type, window size, and lighting and temperature, send me a picture. We will easily give you suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions❓
Not necessary in every home, but beneficial in many cases.
Yes, it does a lot. Thermal lining significantly reduces the heat entering through the glass, so the room doesn’t heat up as quickly.
Yes, it can, if the fabric is balanced. A medium-weight blackout + removable sheer setup will work fine all year round.
Light colors retain less heat in summer, while dark colors make the room look cozy in winter.
