More than just fabric: How curtains shape comfort, privacy, and identity in Kenyan homes

Curtains may appear to be just a decorative detail in your living room, kitchen, or bedroom, but their impact extends well beyond matching colours and enhancing visual appeal. They play a vital role in shaping your home’s comfort, privacy, and overall atmosphere.

Whether you live in a Nairobi apartment, a Mombasa bungalow, or a rural home upcountry, curtains quietly shape your daily comfort, privacy, and even your mental wellbeing.

Interior design experts and homemakers alike agree that curtains are not just a stylistic choice, but they are a functional, emotional, and cultural part of home life.

1. More than meets the eye

While many people choose curtains based on patterns or fabric colours that match their walls or sofa set, they often overlook how curtains contribute to a home's comfort and utility.

“Think of curtains as the skin of your home; they regulate what comes in and what stays out,” says Miriam Wanjiru, an interior designer based in Westlands.

“From light to heat to noise, curtains are your passive protection.”

Thicker curtains, such as blackout drapes or heavy cotton, do more than block light; they help regulate your home’s internal climate.

During hot afternoons, they shield rooms from heat, while on chilly mornings, especially in places like Limuru or Eldoret, they help trap warmth and keep the cold out.

This makes them especially useful in urban estates like Syokimau or Ruaka, where large windows often face direct sunlight.

And for those living in high-rise apartments in Eastleigh, Kilimani, Upper Hill, or along Thika Road, the need is even greater.

Higher floors tend to soak up more heat during the day and lose it quickly after sunset, meaning temperature can swing sharply.

Add the glare from glassy neighbouring buildings, and curtains become more than just fabric; they are a buffer between you and the elements.

So, what should you go for?

“Consider thermal-lined curtains, blackout panels, or double-layered options, sheer curtains to let in light during the day, and heavier ones for evening insulation.

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• More than just fabric: How curtains shape comfort
• privacy

Fabrics like velvet, lined cotton, or even suede work well for blocking light, heat, and even some street noise, ideal for both busy roadsides and sky-high living.” Wanjiru told The Eastleigh Voice.

2. A daily dose of privacy

In places with high-rise apartments like Eastleigh, and closely spaced houses are the norm, privacy is not guaranteed.

Curtains are often the first and most effective line of defence.

“I live in a flat where another balcony is just a few metres across from mine,” says Saida Yusuf, a tenant in Nairobi’s South B estate.

“Without curtains, I’d feel completely exposed.”

Even in rural homes where compounds are bigger, curtains provide comfort during visits or quiet time.

During prayer, breastfeeding, or afternoon naps, having that shield between the inside and the world outside makes a difference.

3. Curtains and mental wellness

Lighting has a direct effect on mood, and curtains play a central role in managing how natural light enters your space.

A well-lit room can lift your spirits, improve focus, and even make you feel more at ease. Curtains help you control this, softening harsh rays or gently brightening up a dim space, depending on the time of day.

But it is not just about the light; the look of the curtains themselves can affect how you feel in your own home.

“If you have dull, worn-out, or ugly-looking curtains, no amount of sunlight will fix how the room feels,” Wanjiru adds.

“Your environment feeds your mental space. When your curtains are gloomy, heavy, or clashing with the room, it can make your whole home feel depressing or chaotic, even subconsciously.”

Colours and patterns

Wanjiru recommends choosing colours and patterns that reflect the mood you want to cultivate in each room.

Earthy tones can create a calming effect, bright colours can add energy, and neutral palettes offer flexibility and timelessness.

Even simple changes like switching to lighter fabrics or updating tiebacks can breathe life into an otherwise tired-looking space.

Sheer curtains, for example, soften harsh daylight without darkening a room completely.

This creates a calming ambience that can reduce stress and improve focus, especially for those working from home.

“I always open my living room sheers in the morning, it instantly lifts my mood,” says Charles Odhiambo, a freelance writer in Ruiru.

“The light comes in gently, not too harsh, and that sets the tone for my day.”

Blackout curtains

In bedrooms, blackout curtains can dramatically improve sleep quality by blocking out early morning sun or noisy streetlights.

While many people assume blackout curtains must be plain or dark, that is not the case.

“You can still choose bright or patterned curtains to match your room’s decor,” Wanjiru says.

“Just make sure they have a blackout lining at the back. It doesn’t have to be all black, the blackout layer is hidden and does the job without compromising style.”

This dual-layer approach allows you to enjoy both aesthetics and function, soft, inviting colours on the front, and effective light-blocking performance behind the scenes.

This is especially useful for shift workers, young children, or anyone needing restful, uninterrupted sleep.

4. Cultural identity and expression

In many homes, curtains are not just functional; they are part of cultural storytelling and setting the mood.

From the coast to the capital, they often reflect personality, heritage, and occasion.

It is not uncommon to see Leso- or kitenge-inspired prints hanging proudly in living rooms, blending utility with cultural pride.

For some families, curtain changes are tied to seasons or significant life moments.

Heavier drapes might go up during the colder months, while lighter, more vibrant ones make an appearance during warm seasons or celebrations like Christmas or Eid.

“During Eid, we always put up new curtains,” says Aisha Mohammed, a mother of three in Eastleigh.

“It’s a sign of renewal, of preparing the home for blessings. The house must feel as fresh as your spirit.”

This ritual of switching curtains not only refreshes the look of the home but often marks a spiritual or emotional shift, reinforcing the idea that the home is a living space, one that responds to both the season and the soul.

5. Economic status symbol?

For some households, curtains are also a marker of progress.

Having matching curtain sets, stylish rods, or trendy tiebacks can signal upward mobility, especially in social settings where guests are received in the living room.

That said, quality does not always mean expensive. With the rise of second-hand textile markets like Gikomba and Toi Market, many families are able to access attractive, functional curtains at low prices.

“I believe my curtains speak the loudest, followed by my sofa, when guests come to my house, so having quality-looking and aesthetic curtains means a lot to me,” Aisha says.

Curtains may hang silently, but they play an active role in how we experience our homes every day.

From offering warmth and shielding us from the outside world to brightening our mood and showcasing our identity, they deserve a second look, beyond just the colour chart.

“Curtains are not just finishing touches, they are foundational,” says Wanjiru.

“They frame our daily routines. The way you open them in the morning or draw them shut at night becomes part of your rhythm, your comfort. Even subconsciously, they affect how you feel in your own space.”

She adds that in moments of stress or stillness, our surroundings speak back to us, and curtains are among the first things we notice when entering or exiting a room.

So, the next time you glance at them, think not just of fabric and fashion, but of how these quiet companions shape your comfort, mood, and the story of your home.