One curtain rarely suits a room from morning to night. During the day you may want soft, filtered light, and at night you may want full privacy and a dark room to sleep in.
Once you know how to layer sheer and blackout curtains, you can have both. The sheer filters daylight and provides daytime privacy, and the blackout layer closes over it when you need darkness. With the right fabrics and a double track, you can use each layer on its own or together.
Why layer sheer and blackout curtains?
Sheer and blackout curtains each do a different job. Layering them means you don't have to choose between light and privacy.
Sheer curtains let soft daylight into the room while giving you privacy during the day. You can still enjoy the view outside, but people can't easily see in. They also soften harsh sunlight, which helps protect your floors and furniture from fading.
Blackout curtains block most of the light and give you full privacy, day or night. Heavier blackout fabrics can also help reduce outside noise, making them a good fit for bedrooms, nurseries and home theatres.
With both layers, you also get extra warmth. Two layers of fabric trap air against the window, which can help reduce heat loss in winter. In summer, you can leave the blackout open and let the sheer keep the room light and airy. This makes layered curtains a practical choice for New Zealand's changing weather.
If you're still deciding between the two, read our guide to sheer vs blockout curtains.
Choose how you want to layer your curtains
There are a few ways to combine sheer and blackout curtains. The right one depends on the look you want and how you use the room. At Mr Blinds, sheer and blackout together is one of the most common dual curtain setups we make.
Sheer curtains in front of blackout curtains
The sheer hangs closest to the room, with the blackout curtain behind it. During the day, you can leave the blackout curtain open and close the sheer. At night, close the blackout curtain as well.
Because the sheer sits at the front, it's the layer you see most, so the window has a soft, light look. This makes it a popular choice for living rooms and bedrooms.
Blackout curtains in front of sheer curtains
The blackout curtain hangs at the front, with the sheer behind it. When the blackout curtain is open, you can still see the sheer behind it.
This setup works well if you want the blackout fabric's colour and texture to be the main feature of the window.
Sheer curtains with a blackout lining
Instead of two separate curtains, we can add a blackout lining to the back of a sheer fabric. From inside the room, you still see the sheer, while the lining blocks the light coming through the window.
How this works day to day depends on the track. On a double track, the sheer and lining move separately, so you can still close the sheer during the day. On a single track, they open and close together. This keeps things simple in rooms where you usually use both layers at the same time.
If you don't need the room to be fully dark, you can choose a dimout lining instead. It softens the light without blocking it out.
Use a dual curtain track
A dual curtain track holds each curtain on its own track, so you can open or close one layer without moving the other.
When you plan the track, allow enough width for both curtains to stack against the wall when they're open. This keeps the glass clear and lets in as much light as possible. Look out for anything that might get in the way, such as a heat pump, alarm sensor or ceiling scotia.
You can mount the track on the wall above the window or on the ceiling. Mounting it on the ceiling can make the walls look taller and the room feel more spacious.
The heading style also affects how much space your curtains need when open. S wave has the deepest folds and gives the fullest look. If stacking space is tight, a single pleat is a good option, because it uses less fabric. You can compare all the heading styles on our design options page.
Choose colours and textures that work together
Your sheer and blackout curtains don't need to match. They need to suit each other and the rest of your room.
Start with the colours in your room
Look at your walls, floors and furniture before you choose. A light neutral sheer with a slightly darker blackout curtain gives a soft contrast. For a calmer look, choose two shades of the same colour.
Mix textures
Texture adds interest without adding another strong colour. Our sheer fabrics range from light net-style sheers to heavier, textured linen-look fabrics, in whites, greys, earthy tones and darker shades.
Match the sheer to your room
In a darker room, a lighter sheer helps keep the space bright during the day. A dark sheer creates a more dramatic look and works well in bedrooms.
See the fabrics together at home
Colours can look different in your home. Order free fabric samples, or visit our Mt Wellington showroom to see the fabrics in person. You can browse the full range on our curtain fabric page.
Get the curtain length and width right
Good measurements make a big difference to how layered curtains look. Both curtains need enough fabric to cover the window fully when they're closed.
Length
Your curtains can finish below the windowsill or go all the way to the floor. We recommend floor length, because it gives a fuller look and can make your windows and ceilings seem taller. The price usually stays the same whichever length you choose.
For floor-length curtains, you can have them finish just above the floor for a neat, tidy look, or let them gather slightly on the floor for a softer finish.
The hem helps too. We suggest a weighted hem for sheers, which helps them hang evenly, and a double-folded hem for blackout curtains.
Width
Measure the full area you want to cover, not the glass. Leave an extra width at the sides so both curtains can stack against the wall when they're open.
Explore our curtain measuring guide. It details every step and includes a handy printable sheet for your measurements. If you're in greater Auckland, Whangarei or Waikato, our consultant can measure for you instead.
Avoid these common layering mistakes
A little planning helps you avoid the most common problems with layered curtains.
- Using two heavy fabrics: When both curtains are heavy, they look bulky when they're open. Pair your blackout curtain with a lighter sheer instead.
- Choosing an inverted pleat for short curtains: This pleat has deep folds, which can look bulky on shorter curtains. It looks best on floor-length curtains.
- Not leaving enough stacking space: If your track is only as wide as your window, the open curtains will cover part of the glass. Make the track wider so the curtains can sit against the wall instead. If you book an in-home consultation, we'll measure this for you.
- Using a single track: With a single track, you can't open one layer without the other. If you want to close the sheer during the day, choose a dual curtain track.
Layer your curtains with Mr Blinds
Layering sheer and blackout curtains gives you soft light during the day and privacy at night, without having to choose between them.
Mr Blinds’ sheers, blackout curtains and dual curtains are made to measure in New Zealand and come with a three-year warranty.
If you live in greater Auckland Whangarei or Waikato, book a free in-home consultation. We'll bring samples, measure your windows and give you a quote on the spot. If you're elsewhere in New Zealand, get a self-measure quote, and we'll send you free fabric samples to help you choose.