Double-Sided Curtains: Top Tips to Double the Duty & the Beauty

Curtains don’t just soften daylight and cocoon interiors; they add depth and detail to the decor, serving as accent features and focal points. They’re a brilliant amalgam of function and aesthetic that wins both hearts and homes; however, even at their very best, they may fall short of making the desired impact in some situations. Think open doorways, room dividers, and bed canopies, where curtains can’t get away with just one ‘good side’. 

That’s where double-sided curtains step in as winners. Stitched with drapery fabric on both sides, instead of the standard practice of drapery fabric with lining or drapery fabric alone, double-sided curtains are the overachievers of the drapery world. They offer not one, but two presentable sides. Yes, header tapes and hemlines may still show, but there’s no lining or the somewhat half-finished reverse side of the drapery fabric saying, ‘Look away, I wasn’t meant to be seen!’ That said, reversible custom curtains do come with challenges of their own. This blog will explore them in depth and suggest practical tips to make the most of them.

Managing the Weight Game for a Smooth Glide

Double-sided curtains are heavier than ordinary ones for obvious reasons. In some scenarios - like an oversized doorway or a slow-gliding header style - this additional weight can hinder smooth operation. So, aim to keep the overall weight of the drapery in check in all your design decisions. Here are some considerations to be made in this regard:

• Fabric: Choose a light to medium-weight fabric for an extremely wide set of drapery to compensate for the surplus of the span with the lightness of the fabric. If you’ve fallen for a heavy fabric, choose a lightweight one for the rear, to balance the weight.

• Number of Panels: For a curtain far exceeding the standard width, consider breaking the drapery into multiple panels instead of one, so the weight gets distributed.

• Heading Style: Where weight is not in favor of an easy glide, the choice of heading style can be the saving grace. Opt for heading styles that employ rings, grommets, or drapery pins as they operate smoothly. Avoid styles with fabric pockets and tabs, unless you plan to leave the curtains stationary, needing no operation.

Keeping Reverse Side Signs Discreet with Well-Considered Headers

As mentioned earlier, double-sided curtains evade the scenario of showing the lining or the reverse side of the fabric at the back, but the header still provides traces of reality. Because the header may include features like heading tape, rings, grommets, or pins, and stitched-in folds, which instantly register that it is the drapery’s reverse side. This is why the choice of the heading style becomes vital, not just in ensuring smooth functionality, but also in keeping the secrets. 

Sewn offers more than a dozen heading styles, each a unique combination of aesthetic and functionality. And some do better than others in projecting a neat look on the reverse side. So, when choosing the heading style for double-sided curtains, add one more criterion for evaluation - the neatness of the reverse side.

Pinch pleats offer the most tailored appeal with their pre-sewn pleats; however, the visibility of their header tape, combined with the awkward look of fabric tucking into pleats in the back, does not make for the most presentable reverse side. 

Conversely, styles like rod pockets, tab tops, back tab tops, and tie tops look almost the same on both sides, conquering the biggest hurdle of reversible curtains, except they don’t glide as smoothly as styles that hang on rings, grommets, or pins. Therefore, these styles fare well where curtains are lightweight, and/or are rarely operated or incorporated as static fixtures, not expected to be operated frequently, like in the case of stationary room dividers and decorative bed canopies.

For a wise middle-ground, where curtains look presentable on the rear and also function smoothly for regular operation, look to styles like flat panel tops and grommet tops. They offer a uniform look on both sides and operate smoothly, even though they gently hint at the secret with their heading tape and eyelets showing. 

Note that the suitability of the heading style will depend on a range of factors, such as the overall weight of the panel, the expected frequency of operation, the desired level of light control, and so on. Therefore, consider the factors presented above specifically in view of double-sided curtains and also visit our Drapery Headings Style Guide for an in-depth evaluation of each style on offer at Sewn.

Doubling the Aesthetic Opportunity

Double-sided curtains don’t just bring limitations to be tamed, they also bring opportunities to be claimed -  the kind that a keen aesthete never lets go. If you think about it, instead of merely managing the show by keeping the reverse presentable, you can turn it into a ‘double-edged’ show-stopper by opting for two completely different fabrics, playing to a different aesthetic and palette on each side. 

With a 2000+ rich spectrum of choice at Sewn, we’re confident of meeting the most adventurous design goals. So, push the limits and let your creativity take over. Here are some ideas to fuel your imagination:

• Pair a Solid with a Pattern: Pick a patterned fabric for one side and a plain fabric on the reverse. Keep them color-coordinated, ensuring that the plain fabric accents the pattern. 

• Pair Two Prints: The perfect option for a pattern-lover who can’t get enough of one! If you’ve fallen for two prints, pair them unapologetically. However, if you’re worried that it may turn into a visual bustle, consider counterbalancing a bold, intricate pattern with a lighter one like checks, stripes, or floating petite motifs - bound by a common palette.

• Pair Two Plains: Each color brings its own personality, so pairing two different tones makes for a clever choice when opting for plain reversible curtains. Pair a calm neutral tone with a bold statement color, or two complementary tones, or two neutral hues - whatever your design goals call for. This is just the perfect solution for some scenarios, like the overly large en suite bedroom, where the sleeping area would feel more nap-ready with a serene neutral, while the TV zone on the other side calls for a bold accent. 

• Pair Two Textures: If your design style is wary of mixing colors and patterns, consider the safer terrain of texture. No matter how small this detail might appear, the impact is big. Especially for a heavy fabric like velvet or blackout, pairing with a lightweight linen or poly-cotton helps not just to bring textural variety, but also to manage the overall weight of the drapery.

HomeSewn Wisdom: At Sewn, our seamstresses put their expertise to good use to ensure a clean, seamless look on both sides of your drapery, as much as reasonably possible. That said, some hems and seams will still be visible, so it’s worth keeping this in mind when setting expectations.

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Shop Double-Sided Curtains at Sewn

In the end, thoughtfully designed double-sided curtains are like those rare personalities who are photogenic from every angle. Whether dividing a room or softening the doorway, they steal the scene on both sides, proving that sometimes, it is possible to have it both ways. They demand some extra thought, but so is their pay-off. So, head to our collection of premium fabrics, and shop those perfect reversible curtains that look just as splendid on their back, as on the front.