Blackout Curtains with Sheer Underlay - A Guide to Design and Function

Blackout curtains with sheer underlay provide the best of both worlds - light control and privacy. This layered window treatment combo is ideal for bedrooms, home theaters, and anywhere that requires room darkening during certain hours of the day.

Here are some of the top benefits of using blackout curtains with a sheer underlay:

• Improves sleep - Blackout curtains block outside light to create a darker sleep environment, which helps increase melatonin production for better sleep.
• Filters light - Sheer underlays soften harsh daylight and reduce glare to make indoor spaces more comfortable.
• Reduces noise - Having two layers muffles outside sounds from traffic, neighbors, etc. for a quieter indoor space.
• Insulates rooms - The air gap between the layers provides extra insulation to keep rooms warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
• Enhances privacy - Sheers allow light in but obstruct views from outside to keep interiors private.
• Adds style - Choose colors, patterns and textures to suit your decor for a custom, stylish look.

This winning combination gives you the ability to filter natural light during the day for illumination and ambience while achieving complete darkness at night for optimal sleep. The opaque blackout layer does the room darkening while the translucent sheer underlay lets in ambient daylight or streetlights for a soft glow.

Ideal Rooms for Blackout and Sheer Curtains

Certain rooms especially benefit from the layered light control and privacy of blackout curtains with a sheer underlay:

• Bedrooms - Darkness for sleeping along with soft illumination from sheers.
• Home theaters - Light blocking for the viewing experience paired with sheers to allow airflow.
• Nurseries - Darkness for napping babies; sheers maintain air flow and visibility.
• Living rooms - Sheers filter daylight from windows while blackouts provide movie-viewing darkness.
• Office spaces - Sheers reduce glare on screens while blackouts offer after-hours darkness.

Choosing the Right Blackout and Sheer Curtains

Picking out the right blackout curtains with a coordinating sheer underlay starts with measuring your windows properly. Know the exact width and length you need, and account for stacking space if using a curtain rod pocket.

For the blackout layer, look for thick, tightly woven fabrics like polyester, velvet, wool, or blended blackout cloth. Avoid lightweight fabrics that let in too much light. Ideal blackout curtain density blocks 100% of external light sources for absolute darkness.

Blackout curtain panels should be opaque and several inches wider than the window frame to seal any streams of light from peeking through. This prevents the annoying light gaps that can disrupt sleep or viewing experiences.

With sheers, consider airy, translucent fabrics like cotton voile, linen, polyester chiffon, or nylon. Textured silhouette and jacquard weaves add visual interest while allowing soft filtered daylight to permeate. Sheer panels can be up to 20 inches wider than the window without looking oversized.

Both blackout and sheer curtains should be long enough to cover the window sill, puddle slightly on the floor, and have ample stacking length. If possible, buy panels in the same drop lengths to achieve a cohesive layered look.

Specialty Blackout and Sheer Fabrics

In addition to standard fabrics, there are specialty curtain materials to help enhance blackout and sheer function:

• Blackout linings - Lining blackouts adds room darkening power.
• Thermal blackouts - Insulate against cold and heat.
• Noise reducing - Help muffle unwanted sounds.
• UV filtering sheers - Protect furnishings from sun damage.
• Dimout sheers - Allow only minimal light to filter through.

Hanging Blackout and Sheer Curtains

A proper installation is key to making the most of your blackout and sheer curtains. Use extendable traverse rods or ceiling mounts with minimal light gaps that recess close to the window frame.

Mount the blackout layer on inner rods or tracks right next to the window. This allows the opaque panels to seal tightly to the frame. Extend the sheer underlay panels from the same rod set a few inches forward to create a layered effect.

Ideally, blackout curtains should stack closely together to the sides without natural light peeking through. Have center draw or split draw panels to allow adjustable light blocking. Overlap sheer underlays in the middle for a continuous floor-to-ceiling look.

Weighing sheer and blackout curtain bottoms with sewn-in weights prevents billowing, swaying, and light gaps under windy conditions or drafts. If needed, holdbacks and tiebacks keep stationary pleats when curtains are opened.

Specialized Blackout and Sheer Mounting Options

Along with standard rods, consider these specialty mounting systems:

• Motorized tracks - Remote control curtains for effortless light control.
• Cordless cellular - Silent open and close; insulates and blocks light.
• Hand draw drapery - Elegant look with hand operated curtains.
• Ceiling mounted - Clean, streamlined look; operate with chain or cord.

Design and Style Considerations

When decorating with any window treatments, the design options are endless. With blackout curtains and sheer underlays, you get to make two coordinating style statements.

Choose colors, patterns, textures, and trim details that complement each other and your room's overall aesthetic. Try to use tones in the same color family like navy blue sheers with blackout curtains. Look for companion print designs between both layers such as matching floral patterns.

Consider adding decorative headers, swags, cascades or contrasting borders to dress up basic curtain panels. For a more formal look, frame the window with cafe-style valances or architectural cornices up top.

Curtain holdbacks and tiebacks add ornamental flair while serving a practical purpose for controlling light flow. Accent pieces like tassels, finials, and trim complete the custom designer look.

Creative Ways to Style Blackout and Sheer Curtains

• Mix solid and patterned fabrics for interest.
• Choose wide stripe blackouts with delicate sheers.
• Combine warm and cool neutral tones for depth.
• Add length with ruffled or tailored valances.
• Use holdbacks and tiebacks to frame the window.

Measuring for Blackout and Sheer Curtains

Accurately measuring your windows is crucial for proper light blocking and an ideal sheer/blackout curtain fit. Keep these tips in mind when measuring:

• Note width from edge to edge across the top.
• Measure height from top to where you want curtains to hang.
• For blackouts, add 3-4 inches to width for light sealing.
• Allow for minimum of 2 inches of stacking space if using a rod pocket.
• Measure each window even if they appear the same size.

Have a helper hold the tape end at one side while you pull it across for accurate rod length. Measure separately for stationery side panels or valances. Provide the exact measurements to retailers when ordering.