Usually I just close the blinds, but the curtains are "block out" curtains, so there is a light backing to them to repel sunlight. I have them in the living room as well, so I'm hoping it will keep things a little cooler in the summer months.
You can see the tops of the blinds, so I'm debating looking for some light-weight valances I can get, and do a quick attachment to the wall with those 3-M type brackets, and then put up the valances to cover that gap.