TV in Front of Window Curtains: Good or Bad Idea?

Thoughtful home design is important. But we’re not here to talk about design aesthetics—we’re here to talk about its practicality.

The placement of your furniture and appliances should add to your way of living, not work against it. And TVs, being a crucial part of our daily lives, should be placed where it’s most comfortable for you to use. 

So is it a good idea to put a TV in front of window curtains? Generally speaking, no. You’ll constantly fight off natural light while watching, even with your curtains drawn. But it’s not necessarily a terrible idea either. It all really depends on you.

Let’s talk about the drawbacks of having your TV against the window, how curtains can affect your viewing experience, and how you can address the problems that come with this.

Why It’s a Bad Idea

Okay, so let’s back up this sentiment. Here are a couple of reasons why it’s not ideal to put your TV in front of a window.

Glare

If your TV isn’t placed high enough to avoid the angle of sun rays, you’ll likely encounter a lot of glare on your screen. When this happens, you won’t be able to see much on the TV display. 

Regular curtains can help diffuse some of those rays and even prevent glaring, but light can still pass through, giving you eye strain if you stare in the direction of the TV and window long enough. 

Too much sun exposure

We’ve got bad news for you if you’re a daytime couch potato. 

Did you know that sunlight bouncing off the sand can cause eye sunburn? You get that similar feeling from watching your TV back against the window during the daytime. In other words, you can get eye strain from being exposed to the sun’s rays. 

It defeats the purpose of having a window

Windows are essential to any home. They bring in light and air—two of the most earthly elements we need to feel invigorated. They bridge a connection between your home and the outside world. With your windows open, you remind yourself that you are part of this world—one in which you share with other people.

Your home is your safe space, and your windows ground you back to reality. They remind you that you are not alone. You may not be aware of it, but they keep you sane and connected. 

On the flipside, TVs in this modern era provide escapism and entertainment.

By placing your TV in front of your window, you block air and natural light, disrupting the link between you and the outside world.

So if you’re one who likes to feel connected and grounded, placing your TV in front of your window is probably not a good idea. 

Your TV can run hot

Apart from your eyeballs, your TV will naturally be exposed to sun rays and its heat. This shouldn’t be a major concern, but it might do a number on your appliance in the long run. 

Additionally, if you have an LCD TV, frequent and intense sun exposure can cause black blotches to appear on your screen—an effect called solar clearing. 

When Is It a Good Idea?

Like we said earlier, placing a TV opposite a window is not all bad. But that depends on the circumstances. 

You have a lot of windows

First off, if you have floor-to-ceiling windows, pick a spot where the sun doesn’t hit as strong and as high. Morning-sun windows are your best bet since the sun is low and not as harsh. You can easily stave off any glare by drawing your curtains or blinds in. 

Your house is shaded from harsh sunlight

It’s also okay to have your TV by the window if you’re located in a naturally-shaded environment. This way, you won’t run into sun glare issues, overheating, or any of the sort. 

You’ve invested in blackout curtains

Regular curtains aren’t really ideal to put behind your TV because sun rays can still peek through the curtains. Investing in blackout curtains will completely block out glare. 

Blackout curtains , unlike regular curtains, are made from tightly-woven fabric which prevents light and air from coming in. This makes them the perfect solution for the annoying glare that your TV gets from the window. 

Contrary to what you might think, blackout curtains aren’t all black. They typically come in dark, neutral hues, but there are also whites as well. 

What You Should Do About It

Suppose you’re really set on placing your TV by the window, no worries! Here are a few workarounds you can do to improve your TV viewing experience. 

Choose the right window treatment

Getting blinds or curtains is the cheapest and easiest workaround for your TV-window placement. But with the sheer amount of options available, choosing the one that suits your tastes and needs might be a slight hurdle. 

If you want to diffuse the light coming in while not completely blocking it out, it’s best to invest in some frosted roll-up blinds . Instead of shutting out sunlight completely, the translucent frosted finish will help spread out natural light, reducing glare.

Get an anti-glare film

If blinds don’t do a good job, then it might be time to invest in an anti-glare screen protector . It does a two-in-one job of reducing a significant amount of glare and protecting your TV screen from scratches and damage. 

You can choose between spray types, film types, or hanging types.

Tint your windows

Tinting windows requires a certain level of commitment. Remember that natural light is also good for you, especially if you’re a homebody. If you only have one natural light source, tinting your windows might not be good. 

However, if you have multiple windows, applying window tint to where your TV is can be an excellent solution to reduce glare and overall light that can hurt your eyes. 

To Sum Up

Keep in mind that there is no perfect solution! Having a good sense of what works for you and your needs will decide your TV placement.

But hopefully, this has helped you weigh your options and come to a decision. 

Whether it’s curtains, blinds, films, tints, or moving your TV away from the window altogether, what matters is knowing what’s best for you and what suits your preferences.