The Ultimate Sheer Curtain Design Guide

Sheer curtains are absolutely exquisite, and we want to bring attention to them. However, if we do make it a feature element in your room, everything else in your room has to support its gentle nature. While it is not impossible, there are very few design options you can choose without drawing attention away from the sheer curtain.

So, don’t put yourself in a box! Instead, use your sheer curtain as a key supporting element for your scarlet lounge sofa, oak dining table or light blue velvet curtains! Ironically, hiding your sheer curtain in plain sight is the best way to help it stand out. When sheer curtains are treated as design accents for your room, they create character while uniting the whole room’s style and maintaining its hint of mystique.

When you shop for sheer curtains, you should also consider how they would be used in your everyday life. Unlike most curtains, sheer curtains don’t entirely block out sunlight or give you complete privacy. Instead, its translucent nature only provides partial privacy and blockage. While it may not fulfil the typical function of most curtains, the translucent fabric actually gives you a wider range of control over light, heat, wind, noise and privacy without compromising your view, especially when it's layered with other curtains. 

First off, there is a difference between transparent and translucent fabrics.

• Translucent: A translucent fabric doesn’t need to allow much visibility or be a see-through fabric. A piece of fabric will be considered translucent when some or most light passes through its material.

For example, cotton is a translucent fabric that can block out a lot of heat while allowing enough daylight to light up a room. However, you won’t be able to see the view outside clearly. Sheer curtains without much visibility are called semi-sheer curtains.

• Transparent: A transparent fabric will let most sunlight pass through its material and allow you to see the view clearly behind its fabric. It won’t be 100% transparent like glass, but fabrics like gauze will be thin enough for you to see through the fabric without squinting your eyes.

By these definitions, we can say that all sheer fabrics are translucent, but not all sheer fabrics are transparent.

To find your ideal transparency, hold your sample cloth flat near a clear window on a sunny day. (Don’t place the fabric directly onto the window! Give a bit of distance. Your curtains are not going to stick to your windows or doors.) A sheer cloth looks different on a table vs hung up. 

With this lighting test, you can know exactly how much privacy and transparency you want from your curtains. This test is also why we recommend shopping for your sheer curtains in person.

It is possible to increase the thickness of your sheer curtain after purchase. Aside from layering, you can add a curtain lining or a privacy liner. Using these options will give you more control over your privacy, especially the privacy liner, as it is removable. 

However, it’s usually a hassle to add on these options, so it’s best to get the right fabric thickness the first time.

That’s why most people choose either white or grey sheer curtains. However, don’t let that stop you from exploring these options if you want to explore with different tones and moods. Just make sure the colour of your walls and floor are very plain white or very dark shades to avoid unexpected colours.

If you want your curtain designs to be a little more elaborate, floral or geometric patterns will work well for sheer curtains. Just note that with patterns, you will have uneven but beautiful shadows on the ground when there is sunlight.

Sheer curtains are a beautiful drapery that requires a lot of forethought to bring out their beauty. While there may be a lot to consider, choosing the right cloth will make everything else falls into place.