Australia
Sheer Curtains: How to Choose Them for Light, Privacy and Heat in Australian Homes
How sheer curtains work, what they can and can't do for privacy and heat, how much fullness to order, and how to layer them with blockout curtains.
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Updated October 2026 · By Sam K, Fabrica Kraft
Quick answer: Sheer curtains are light, see-through fabrics that soften sunlight, cut glare and give you privacy during the day while keeping your view. They don't give privacy at night when the lights are on inside, and they don't block light, so pair them with a blockout curtain for bedrooms. Order 2.5 to 3 times the rod width in fabric so they look soft and full, and choose floor length for the most elegant result.
Few things change a room as quickly as a set of floor-length sheers. Harsh Australian sun turns into a soft glow, the room feels calmer, and the neighbours can no longer see straight in. But sheers are often misunderstood. People expect them to give night-time privacy or keep a room dark, and they can't do either. Here's what sheers actually do, and how to choose the right ones.
What are sheer curtains?
Sheer curtains (sometimes called voiles) are made from fine, loosely woven or very light fabrics, usually polyester or linen-look blends. You can see shapes and light through them, but not detail. They're almost always unlined, because a lining would stop light coming through, which defeats the purpose.
What sheers can and can't do
| Job | Sheers alone | Sheers + blockout curtain |
|---|---|---|
| Soften harsh sunlight | Yes | Yes |
| Reduce glare on screens | Yes, partly | Yes |
| Daytime privacy | Yes, from outside looking in | Yes |
| Night-time privacy | No, once lights are on inside | Yes |
| Dark room for sleep | No | Yes |
| Help with heat | A little | Much more |
| Keep your view | Yes, softened | Yes, with the blockout open |
Why the night-time privacy changes: during the day it's brighter outside than inside, so people outside see the bright face of the sheer, not the room behind it. At night, with lights on, the room is brighter than the street, so people outside can see in. That's why bedrooms and street-facing living rooms usually need a second layer.
Do sheer curtains help with heat?
A little. Sheers soften direct sun and take the edge off glare, and they add a thin extra layer at the window. But they let most light through, so they won't stop a west-facing room heating up on a 38-degree afternoon. For real heat control, layer a lined curtain in front of the sheer and close it when the sun is on the glass. Our blockout curtains guide explains how.
How much fullness do sheers need?
This is where most sheer curtains go wrong. Because the fabric is so light, sheers need more fabric than heavier curtains to look soft and full rather than thin and flat.
- 2× the rod width: the minimum; looks neat and modern.
- 2.5× to 3× the rod width: the best look for most rooms; generous, soft folds.
Example: a 2,400 mm rod at 2.5× fullness needs 6,000 mm of sheer fabric in total, for example two panels of 3,000 mm.
No seams on wide windows
Normal curtain fabric is about 1.4 m wide, so wide panels need a seam where two widths join. On a heavy curtain you hardly notice it. On a sheer, with light shining through, a seam shows up as a vertical line.
That's why we use double-width Warwick sheers. Our Antigua, Patio, Syros and Taormina fabrics are about 3,200 mm wide, so even very wide sheer panels are made from a single piece with no join. They're ideal for floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and big living-room windows. Browse them in our sheer curtains collection.
Choosing length
- Just touching the floor: the cleanest look, and the most popular.
- 10 mm off the floor: easier to live with if you have pets or a robot vacuum.
- Slight puddle (50 to 100 mm): soft and romantic; lovely in bedrooms.
Mount the rod 100 to 150 mm above the window frame, or close to the ceiling, and extend it 150 to 250 mm past each side. This makes windows look taller and lets the sheers stack clear of the glass when open. See our mm guide to measuring for curtains.
Choosing colour
- White and snow: brightest, crispest light; suits coastal and modern homes.
- Ivory, linen and shell: warmer and softer; flattering in living rooms and bedrooms, and hide dust better than pure white.
- Grey and smoke: cut glare more and suit darker interiors, but make the room feel a little dimmer.
- Colours like sage or terracotta: cast a tinted glow across the room, which can be beautiful but is worth testing first.
Sheer colours look very different with light behind them. Order swatches and hold them against the glass in the morning and afternoon before you decide.
Layering sheers with blockout curtains
The classic Australian setup for bedrooms and street-facing rooms:
- Install a double rod, or two rods.
- Hang the sheer on the back rod, closest to the glass.
- Hang a lined blockout curtain on the front rod.
- Measure each layer separately. The back rod is usually a little shorter.
By day, close the sheer and leave the blockout open. At night or on scorching afternoons, close both.
Outdoor sheers
Sheers work beautifully on pergolas, alfresco areas and verandahs, softening the sun while keeping the breeze. Use a fabric made for outdoors so it copes with UV and rain. See Sunbrella outdoor sheers and our outdoor curtains.
Caring for sheers
Sheers show dust and marks quickly. Vacuum them gently each month and wash them about once a year, usually in a mesh bag on a cold, delicate cycle, then rehang them damp. Always follow the care label. Our guide on how to clean curtains has the full steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can people see through sheer curtains at night?
Yes, when the lights are on inside. Add a lined curtain or blind for night-time privacy.
Do sheer curtains block UV?
They reduce direct sun and help slow fading a little, but they don't block UV completely. Closing a lined curtain on sunny afternoons protects furniture better.
How full should sheer curtains be?
About 2.5 to 3 times the rod width in total fabric for a soft, full look. 2 times is the minimum.
Should sheer curtains touch the floor?
Yes, for most rooms. Floor-length sheers look more elegant and make the window feel taller.
Can I get extra-wide sheer curtains without a seam?
Yes. Our double-width Warwick sheers are about 3,200 mm wide, so wide panels have no join.
Ready to order?
Browse made-to-measure sheer curtains, made in 2 to 3 weeks. Prices are in AUD and shown per panel, and shipping is free anywhere in Australia.
