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Sheer curtains, often referred to as sheers, are delicate and lightweight fabrics designed to softly filter light while providing some privacy. They are ideal for rooms that get lots of light as they keep your home feeling bright and airy but offer some protection from harsh direct sunlight.

Sheer curtains are also somewhat see-through. They are designed to allow some visibility through and let in natural light. Depending on the type of sheer, some are more see-through than others.

Sheer curtains are made from various lightweight materials including polyester, gauze, chiffon, silk, lace, cotton, and linen. They also come in plenty of colours and patterns and a range of heading styles.

Since sheer curtains let in plenty of natural light, they do tend to make a room feel larger and more expansive. This is particularly effective with floor length sheers as they draw the eye upwards.

Unfortunately, sheer curtains on their own do not provide much privacy at night. However, sheer curtains work well with a double track, meaning you can combine light, airy sheers, with a more substantial blockout or thermal curtain for more privacy and warmth at night.

If you’re pairing sheer curtains with another curtain style, it’s best to hang the sheer curtain closest to the window, so the heavier blockout or thermal curtain hangs in from of them. Aesthetically, this is the preferred look for most people as it looks the tidiest when you have the blackout or thermal curtains closed.

By definition, sheer curtains won’t darken a room on their own, but they are easily paired with other curtains on dual track to provide this functionality. Adding a thermal or blockout curtain to a dual track with your sheers will give you the option of softly filtering light or blocking out most of it, depending on the time of day and your requirements.

You should choose sheers if you want to keep your home feeling light and airy through the day but maintain a level of privacy from neighbours and a bit of UV protection for furniture.

Choosing sheer curtains is mainly about your preferences. It’s important to consider how they’ll look within the context of the full room, so make sure the colour and style you choose is suited to your furniture and décor.

There’s no need to put anything behind your sheer curtains if you don’t want to, but it is popular to pair them with roller blinds for more flexibility.

We usually recommend that sheer curtains hang so they lightly touch the floor for the best effect, however some people prefer their flowy sheers to be a bit longer and pool slightly on the floor.