While curtains aren’t a physical security barrier like locks or alarms, they play an important role in protecting your home from break-ins. Curtains block the view into your home, hiding valuables like electronics, jewellery, or car keys from potential intruders. Crime prevention experts agree that most burglaries are opportunistic — if thieves can’t see an easy target, they’re less likely to try.
Security consultant Gene Perino explains that open curtains increase a burglar’s confidence by revealing if a home is empty and what valuables are visible, making it a more attractive target. Closed curtains reduce this transparency and create uncertainty, deterring opportunistic burglars.
Research from Nottingham Trent University supports this by showing that physical deterrents like lights and locks, combined with obscured views, significantly reduce burglary risk. Heavy or blockout curtains are especially effective for daytime and nighttime privacy, making it difficult for intruders to assess your home.
For enhanced safety, combine curtains with motion-activated lights or security cameras. Using curtains strategically can be a simple but powerful part of your home security plan.