How to Layer Sheer and Blackout Curtains

A room treated with window treatments feels dressed; one with layered custom curtains feels well dressed! Among the many ways to layer, sheer and blackout curtains remain an enduring favorite. The interplay between gauzy sheers and heavy drapes lends the space both softness and structure - a balance that feels intentional and sumptuous. Beyond this visual harmony, this duo refines the room's functionality by tailoring light and assuring privacy for both day and night. With equal measure of elegance and purpose, layering sheer and blackout curtains holds an irresistible allure for homeowners and designers alike. So, if you’re ready to notch up your window decor game, stay tuned for the fabric recommendations, mounting tricks, and styling tips coming ahead:

HAUL 'EM HOME: Sheer Curtains | Blackout Curtains

Choose the Order of the Layers

Dressing windows with layered curtains starts with deciding the order of the layers. Each style of layering caters to varied tastes and requirements. Depending on your decor style and the needs of the room, you can set the order of the layers - sheers on the back, blackouts on the back, or both side by side. Let’s take a closer look at all the alternatives.

Blackout Curtains over Sheer Panels

Here, both sheer curtains and blackout drapes cover the full width of the window. While the sheers form the first line of defence against light and perform during the day, the blackout drapes layered over them are drawn for room-darkening and privacy during the night. The functional benefits of each layer are maximized when the curtains are ordered in this way. Hence, this setup is perfect for nurseries and bedrooms where both privacy and light control requirements scale to the highest possible degree.

That you can create two different looks for the room is the highlight of this layering style. When the blackout drapes are drawn, the sheers are completely out of sight, changing the entire appeal of the room instantly. This aspect is to be factored in during fabric selection, as the sheers won’t contribute to the decor full-time, implying that the blackout drapes must single-handedly relay the room’s color story when the sheers are concealed.

Sheer Curtains over Blackout Drapes

The order is flipped here, with blackouts at the back and sheers on the front. Both curtains span the entire width of the window, providing round-the-clock privacy and light control, just like the previous setup. However, the key difference here is that the sheers are also visible all the time and make a big impact on the overall appeal of the room.

Here, sheers don’t just filter daylight; they also soften the look of the blackout curtains themselves. Therefore, this order of layering is preferred by those who want to tone down the energy of the colors or prints of the blackout drapes. Also, the gauzy elegance of the sheers completes the decor on a glamorous note, something that is especially preferred in boutique-style bedrooms. The sheer panels can be gathered into stylish tie-backs for the delicate pleats to ripple over the heavier layer below, casting a moment of whimsy that especially suits feminine spaces and kids’ rooms.

Sheer Curtains Framed by Blackout Panels

In this arrangement, sheer and blackout curtains are placed side by side, not one over the other. Hence, instead of two drapery poles, one suffices, and both layers are visible all the time. The sheer panels are usually hung between two framing blackout drapes, allowing light to trickle through the middle portion while the drapes on both sides block light. Since the light is not blocked completely, this style of pairing sheers and blackouts is preferred only in living and dining rooms, where light control and privacy requirements are minimal, but the sumptuous appeal of layering is too alluring to resist.

Mix Colors, Patterns, and Textures

The exciting part of layering curtains is here - pairing colors, patterns, and textures to deliver your aesthetic spot on. Layering is often cherished more for the very reason that it can add interest and depth to the spaces with a more considered choice of fabrics - an immediate giveaway of bespoke decor. Depending on your decor style and the room’s mood, you can consider the following pairings:

MIX TWO PLAINS: Here, you style both layers as plain curtains. This is ideal for both ultra-minimalist homes that want to relay a quiet, understated aesthetic and for maximalist homes where bustling wallpapers call for a breathing space. 

For calm spaces like minimalist bedrooms and Scandi-style sanctuaries, we recommend pairing two low-contrast neutrals, like beige and white, for example. Whereas, if you’re ready for some color indulgence, pair two complementary colors, or go for a saturated color in at least one layer. 

When choosing the colors for each layer, remember that sheers and blackouts carry color with different levels of visual weight - black does not look as moody on a sheer as on a blackout. So, assign that color to the blackout curtains that must stand out with greater impact.

PAIR PLAIN & PATTERN: Here, either of the layers is a solid, and the other is patterned. For a decor style that sprinkles patterns tastefully, pairing plains and prints is ideal. The key to pulling off the look neatly lies in ensuring that the plain layer matches the accent tones of the pattern. Thus, the contrast arising from juxtaposing plains and patterns is balanced by their harmonious color story, creating a design that feels both thoughtful and sumptuous.

Again, keep in mind that owing to the high-density weave of blackouts, they give a richer definition to patterns. So, if you want the pattern to become a focal point in the room, opt for printed blackout drapes and complement them with plain sheer curtains. And, if you want the pattern to whisper, bring it on the sheer layer.

LAYER TWO TEXTURES: Where pattern’s might and solid’s quiet equally fail to deliver the desired aesthetic, texture steps in as the gamechanger. In a design that is shorn of pattern play, textured curtains work as an antidote to a flat, sterile appeal. And, in designs where plain curtains are balancing the room’s pattern overload, texture adds subtle depth - the kind that does not overwhelm the eye, but makes the curtains feel well-considered and personalized. And, in case you’ve chosen both layers in the same color, texture serves the crucial detail that lifts the design from feeling too dull or off-the-rack, or lazily done.

Look for fabrics that are not flat-woven but offer visual depth by their very weave. Or, opt for micro-sized prints that appear like texture rather than pattern, until closely inspected. Or, look for fabrics that offer texture by their very composition, like the pairing of slubby linen with plush-piled velvet.

HAUL 'EM HOME: Patterned & Printed Drapes | Plain & Textured Curtains

Invest in the Right Hardware

No drapery story is complete without a decent elaboration on the supporting cast - the hardware. And, that is even more true in the case of layered curtains, where the hardware plays an even more important role. Here are three options you may consider when layering sheer curtains with drapes:

• Single Pole/Track for Both Layers: When layering sheers and blackouts side by side, a single pole/track will do. Ensure sufficient load-bearing capacity in the case of extra-wide doors and windows.

• Double Curtain Rod/Track for Hanging Curtains at the Same Level: Specially designed for layered curtains, this hardware option is suited when you’re hanging both sheers and blackouts at the same height. These are nothing but two poles set within one set of brackets, or two tracks set within one channel - allowing both layers to operate smoothly without infringing on each other’s space.

• Two Single Poles/Tracks at Different Heights: Here, two separate poles/tracks are installed at varying heights. This hardware combination is used when one set of curtains is mounted within the window frame and the other is hung close to the ceiling.

Opt for a Suitable Heading Style

Drapery heading style plays a key role in how the curtains look and function. With over a dozen heading styles on offer at Sewn, you have no dearth of choice, whether it is to meet your style specifics or functional requirements.  Make your pick after a detailed tour of each style at our Drapery Headings Style Guide. As far as the recommendations regarding layered curtains are concerned, stay right here.

There are two ways to approach this design decision. One is that you choose a heading style that meets your preferences and apply it to both layers. If you’re keen on creating a cohesive look, this approach is better. But, if you’re more keen on meeting functional requirements more strictly, take the second approach of choosing the heading style that caters to the specific operational needs of each layer. For example, you may consider heading styles like back tab tops and rod pockets for sheer curtains to ensure they don’t gather to the sides on windy days, as they stay taut on the pole/track. Whereas for the blackout drapes, you may prefer styles like pinch pleats, flat panel tops, or grommet tops that glide easily, as they will be operated often. 

We recommend taking some time to consider how you plan to use the space and what level of operation you anticipate for each layer. Accordingly, choose the heading style, no matter whether you’d go with one style for both or two separate ones.

Shop Sheer and Blackout Curtains at Sewn

Layering sheers and blackout curtains isn’t just about function; it’s also about finesse. The right pairing can not only tailor the light to your mandate but also shape the mood of the space. At Sewn, you’ll find an expansive selection of sheers and blackouts to compose your perfect duet - from whisper-light voiles and airy linens to rich velvets and tactile weaves. Whether you’re drawn to serene neutrals, moody hues, or dramatic prints, our curated collection - a good 2000+ strong - lets you mix and match to your heart’s content, crafting windows that feel thoughtfully dressed and distinctly yours.