Blackout curtains in bedrooms, sheer in living rooms
A window is treated differently depending on the room's use
A sheer filters light, a blackout blocks it. Use one in place of the other and you ruin both sleep and daylight.
§ 01The principle
A window has two main functions: letting light in when needed, and blocking it when not. Two types of textile manage these functions.
The sheer. Thin, translucent fabric (light linen, cotton voile). Filters light, preserves daytime privacy, does not block light at night. Essential in living rooms and dining rooms.
The blackout curtain. Dense, opaque fabric (velvet, thick cotton, lined linen). Completely blocks light (with blackout lining), provides thermal and acoustic insulation. Essential in bedrooms.
The professional rule: in the bedroom, combine both. Sheer at the front for daytime light, blackout behind for night. A double system covering all uses.
Sheer in living rooms · Blackout in bedrooms · Both for full comfort
One material per function, and the window does its job.
§ 02Putting it into practice
Living room. Light sheer in linen or cotton voile, to filter daylight without blocking it. Colour in harmony with the walls. If you need occasional blackout (film projection, nap), add an interior blackout roller blind.
Adult bedroom. Double system essential. Sheer at the front (light linen, in harmony with walls). Blackout curtain behind, in velvet, thick cotton, or lined linen. Colour free, but often darker to absorb light.
Children's bedroom. Blackout essential for naps and early bedtime in winter. Add a sheer according to age and use. Favour washable materials (cotton).
Dining room and kitchen. Sheer is often sufficient. If the kitchen overlooks a neighbouring property, add an interior blackout roller blind. Avoid long curtains in the kitchen (proximity of hob, splashes).
Correct positioning. Rail 15-20 cm above the window frame, 15-30 cm overhang on each side. This allows curtains to open fully and clear the window.
The right length. Three options: 1 cm from floor (clean, contemporary), cassé 3-5 cm (enveloping, cocooning), puddle 10+ cm (opulent, for formal rooms).
- 01Combine sheer and blackout in adult bedrooms
- 02Choose sheer in harmony with the walls
- 03Fix rail 15-20 cm above window
- 04Plan 15-30 cm lateral overhang
- 01A sheer alone in a bedroom, which blocks nothing at night
- 02A blackout curtain in a living room, permanently darkening it
- 03A rail positioned just above the frame, which crushes the window
- 04Curtains too short that do not reach the floor
§ 03Professional variations
Joseph Dirand often works blackout curtains in velvet in exactly the wall shade, creating perfect continuity when drawn. The window visually disappears, the room becomes a total cocoon.
Motorised curtains (Somfy, Lutron) allow automatic programming by hour, sun position, or voice command. Moderate cost for life-changing bedroom comfort.
Sheer for daytime, blackout for night, both for sleep.
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