The type of curtain you choose will determine its functionality in your home as well as impacting the aesthetics of each room. Explore the different types of light-filtering curtains to ensure you find one that meets your privacy, light-filtration, and stylistic needs.

Tip!

For more helpful tips for finding the perfect curtains, read our related guides
Curtain Materials: Everything You Need to Know and How to Choose the Perfect Curtain Color to Complete Your Home.

Curtain Sheerness Levels

There are four different levels of curtain sheerness that determine their effectiveness for filtering or blocking light and providing privacy: sheer, semi-sheer, room-darkening, and blackout.

Sheer: Sheer curtains are made of lightweight, translucent fabric that allow plenty of natural light to enter a room. They provide little to no privacy and are mostly used for decorative purposes or to soften direct sunlight.

Semi-Sheer: Semi-sheer – also known as light-filtering – curtains are slightly more opaque than sheer curtains to make them more effective at filtering light and providing moderate privacy. Opt for semi-sheer curtains if you want some natural light with a bit more coverage.

Room Darkening: Room-darkening curtains are thicker and heavier than sheer or semi-sheer window treatments. They are effective at blocking out most light, providing privacy, regulating room temperature, and reducing glare.

Blackout: Blackout curtains are made with tightly woven, heavy fabric that is capable of completely blocking sunlight and providing total privacy. Blackout curtains are best for rooms where you want complete darkness.

Tip!

Looking to add dimension to your windows? Check out Window Treatments 101: Layering Curtains & More for designer-approved tips on how to layer sheer and blackout curtains.

How to Choose the Right Curtain Sheerness

Here are some tips that’ll help you choose the right level of curtain sheerness for your space.

1. Prioritize Room Function

Room function is the number one determinant of which light filtration level you should choose for your curtains.

• Room-darkening or blackout curtains are a popular choice for bedrooms and media rooms to block out morning light and prevent glare on TV screens to improve your sleeping and media-viewing experiences respectively.
• Sheer and semi-sheer curtains may be preferred in living rooms, home offices, and kitchens where your activities benefit from more natural light.

2. Think About Privacy Requirements

When determining your privacy requirements, consider how you use each room and its position in your house.

• Do your windows face the street or a nearby neighbor’s house? Consider choosing opaque curtains for these rooms to provide more privacy from passersby.
• For bedrooms, bathrooms, and other rooms that require maximum privacy, choose blackout or room-darkening curtains for peace of mind.

3. Factor in Room Size

Light can make a space appear more open and inviting, so different light-filtration levels can impact the overall look and feel of a room.

• Natural light can make a small room feel more spacious, so opt for sheer or semi-sheer curtains to allow in ample sunlight and keep a small room feeling open and airy.
• Adding dark, heavy curtains to a small space can make it feel stuffy and confining.
• Conversely, use room-darkening curtains to ground a large room and add a feeling of coziness to an open space.

4. Consider Your Region’s Climate

Heavy curtains can have thermal insulation properties that can be helpful depending on where you live.

• In hot climates, opaque curtains will block bright sunlight, keep your rooms cool, and lower your air conditioning costs.
• In cold climates or during the winter season, room-darkening and blackout curtains can help insulate heat and provide privacy as the days get shorter and the nights become longer. If you want to maximize natural light, however, opt for sheer or light-filtering window treatments.

5. Determine Your Aesthetic Goals

The light filtration levels of curtains can also impact their aesthetic effect in your home. Sheer curtains have a soft, breezy feel, while blackout curtains tend to have a more dramatic, elegant effect due to their heavy drapery. While function trumps style, it’s nice to consider how the curtains will look in your home.

Tip!

Now that you’ve determined the ideal curtain sheerness and light filtration level, the next steps are measuring and installation. Read
How to Measure for Curtains and How to Hang Curtains for additional guidance.

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