How to Choose Curtains – Blackout vs Sheer

Last reviewed 21 October 2026

Most curtain questions come down to one choice: do you want to block light or soften it? Blackout curtains darken a room and add a layer between you and the window. Sheer curtains let daylight through while hiding the view in. Once you know which you need, measuring and choosing a header style are straightforward.

Browse the full range in our Curtains collection. It currently focuses on blackout and textured curtains, plus tiebacks.

Blackout vs sheer at a glance

When to choose blackout

Pick blackout curtains if you:

• sleep during the day, have young children, or wake early in summer when the sun rises before 6am
• have a west-facing window that heats up in the afternoon
• watch TV or use a projector in a room with glare
• want full privacy at night without adding blinds.

Fabric matters. Denser polyester weaves and velvet both cut light well. Velvet also has a heavier drape and a soft surface. In our range, for example, the Blue Plain Blackout Curtain is polyester, W100cm x H250cm, while the Beige Velvet Blackout Window Drape is velvet in the same size. For a wide window that you'd rather cover with one piece, the Ocean Blue Wool Velvet Blackout Window Drape is W300cm x H250cm.

When to choose sheer

Choose sheers if you want daylight and some daytime privacy, for example in a street-facing living room. Sheers alone won't give you privacy at night, because a lit room shows through. For many windows the best option is layering: a sheer on the inner track for daytime and a blackout or heavier curtain on the outer track for night.

If you want texture without a full blackout, look at woven fabrics such as the Grey Modern Waffle Plaid Curtain (polyester, W100cm x H250cm) or the Blue Modern Luxury Retro Style Texture Curtain (artificial fibre, W150cm x H250cm). The listings don't give a light-blocking rating for these, so if light control matters, check them against a window in person.

How to measure for curtains

Use a metal tape measure and write down each figure.

1. Fit or plan the rod or track first. For better light control and a wider look, extend it 10–20cm past each side of the window frame and mount it 10–15cm above the frame.
2. Measure the track width. Measure the full length of the rod or track, not just the glass.
3. Work out total fabric width. Multiply the track width by 1.5 for a flatter look or by 2 for fuller folds. Grommet and rod-pocket headers look good at about 1.5–2 times; pencil pleat usually needs about 2 times or more.
4. Count panels. Divide the total fabric width by the panel width and round up. Example: a 180cm track × 2 = 360cm, so four 100cm panels or three 150cm panels.
5. Measure the drop. For grommet and rod-pocket curtains, measure from the top of the rod to where you want the hem. For hooks and pencil pleat, measure from the hook or glider position. Measure at both ends and in the middle, because floors and ceilings are rarely level.
6. Compare with the panel height. Many curtains in our range are 250cm high. If your drop is shorter, a local alterations service can take up the hem. If it's longer, raise the rod or choose a different length.

Choosing a header style

Several of our curtains, including the plain and modern blackout styles and the waffle plaid, come in four header options:

• Grommet Top: rings set into the top of the fabric slide straight onto a rod. The folds are deep and even, and the curtain is easy to open and close.
• Hooks: for tracks with gliders, or rods with rings. Good if you already have a track fitted.
• Pencil Pleat: a gathered tape header used with hooks. It gives a traditional, tightly gathered look.
• Rod Pocket: a sewn channel that the rod threads through. It looks neat and works on simple rods, but it's harder to slide, so it suits curtains you don't open often.

Check your hardware before you choose. A track needs hooks or pencil pleat; a plain rod suits grommet or rod pocket.

Tiebacks and finishing touches

Tiebacks hold curtains open and let in more light during the day. Magnetic tiebacks clip around the curtain without a wall hook. The White Magnetic Curtain Tieback, for example, is polyester and 39cm long. The collection also has tassel, beaded and braided rope styles.

Care

• Read the care label before washing. Heavy velvet and large panels may be better hand washed or professionally cleaned.
• Take off hooks and rings first, and wash on a gentle, cool cycle.
• Hang the curtains to dry, or rehang them slightly damp so the folds settle and creases drop out.
• Vacuum regularly with a brush attachment. Dust builds up in the folds, especially near open windows.
• In rooms that get strong sun, rotate or swap panels now and then so they fade evenly.

Quick checklist

• Decided: blackout, sheer or layered
• Rod or track width measured
• Fullness chosen (1.5–2×) and panels counted
• Drop measured at three points
• Header style matches your rod or track