Even today, curtains are the most popular window treatments all across the globe. The secret lies in the multitude of practicality. Curtains not only add a touch of decorative flair to the interior design but also choosing the right kind of curtains can help you enjoy the benefits of enhanced privacy protection, light control, insulation, etc.
An ideal approach is to combine different types of curtain panels in one window frame, which is called layering of curtains. For this purpose, the most productive option is to layer blackout and sheer curtains for the ultimate benefits. If you’re looking for the procedure to make that happen, then we’ve got you the perfect guide to stick to.
With that said, today’s topic of discussion at Wall Curtains is to explain the process of layering blackout and sheer curtains in simple, comprehensible steps.
A Comprehensive Explanation For DIY Layering Of Sheer & Blackout Curtains
Besides adding a decorative touch, you’ll enjoy practical benefits as well for layering sheer and blackout curtains. For instance, having black out curtains means you can either let all the sunlight in or completely block the incoming sunlight rays for a pitch-black interior.
Hence, you can’t have complete control over the interior illumination. And maybe you want to layer sheer and blackout curtains just for the sake of this reason. Whatever the reason may be, let’s move on to the point of discussion without any further delay.
Decide The Layering Order
Now that you have two types of curtains to frame the window, the question arises of the curtain version to be used as the base layer. For this purpose, there can be two arrangement strategies that you can apply to your window frame.
1. Use Sheers As Base Layer Window Treatment
Sheer curtains can be used as the base layer window treatments as the first proposed solution. For this purpose, you need to install them prior to sun blocking curtains. Following this approach, these curtains will only be visible in the interior once d curtains are tucked away.
This idea is great for interiors where natural illumination is needed at almost all times of the day. That’s because you can simply tie back blackout curtains and only drape them at times of need.
2. Use Blackout Curtains As The Base Layer
Obviously, the other way around is to use your blackout curtain panel as the base layer for window treatment layering. And it goes without saying that the light out curtain panel is to be installed primarily following this strategic approach.
It’ll prove to be an ideal approach if you’re a daydreamer or night shift worker and don’t want any glare distractions to your peaceful, quality sleep.
Select The Style & Accessories For Curtain Panels
Now that you’ve decided on the layering order, it’s time to pick the ideal curtain design and style. In this concern, the choice of curtain accessories is the most important decision to make.
Choice Considerations For Blackout Curtains
To make the ideal choice of lightout curtains, you need to find thick, tightly woven, and top-quality fabric materials. And, you need to take into account the interior decor and personal aesthetic preferences for complementing design choices. Not to mention that your light-out curtain panel when draped should create a complete blackout.
Choice Considerations For Sheers
When choosing sheers as window treatments, it’s all about the extent of luxury, charm, and attractiveness that you can add to the interior design with your choice preferences. The best option is to opt for white sheers to luxuriate your living interior in the real sense. Not to forget that the length of the curtain panel should be selected accordingly.
Curtain Rods, Finial, & Brackets
Last but not least, you need to make the choice of curtain rods with respective lengths (add a few inches to both sides of the window’s width). And, if you’re thinking that only one rod may be sufficient for supporting the curtain panels, then it’s not the right approach. Yes, you need to buy separate rods of the same length but with different weight-bearing capacities.
As far as brackets are concerned, you should not buy the same length brackets for both curtain rods as it won’t allow you to layer the curtain panels i.e. both curtain rods will extend the same length from the wall. Similarly, the ideal choice of finials can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your window treatments.
Read Also: Ways to hang sheer curtains
Procedure To Layer The Curtain Panels
Now with everything else in position, you can proceed to practically layering the curtain panels. For this purpose, follow the guidelines explained below in a stepwise manner.
Installing The First Curtain Panel
- Grab the hardware for the curtain panel that is to be installed as the base layer window treatment.
- Mark the desired height with a pencil, at which you want to place the curtain rods (usually 4-6 inches above the window).
- To minimize the chances of error, you can use a leveler to determine that both marks are at the same level.
- Keep in mind that one curtain rod will be installed slightly above the other for functional efficacy.
- Drill holes in the designated locations on the wall.and install the brackets.
- Pass the curtains through the curtain rod and place the rod within the brackets on either side.
- Adjust the rod length within the brackets on both sides (maintain balance) before installing finials.
- Test out the curtain’s functional efficacy by moving the curtain panel all across the rod.
Installing The Second Curtain Panel
- Again, you need to put pencil marks on the wall using a leveler to be exactly the same height and with no error.
- Install the brackets (the ones that extend more in comparison).
- Put the curtain panels in the rod and place the rod within brackets on both ends.
- Make length adjustments for the curtain rod and add finials to both ends.
- Test out the curtain panel’s practicality by moving them across the curtain rod (won’t move smoothly in case the rod is unbalanced).
With the second curtain panel installation, you’re all done layering sheer and blackout curtains for your household windows. If there’s any functionality error for any of the curtain panels, you can reinstate the respective curtain rod and brackets for an effective solution.
All In All
Layering sheer and blackout curtains have not remained a challenging task anymore. Because we’ve comprehensively explained the procedure for combining these two types of curtains in one window frame. From the strategic layering order to installing both the curtain panels and all the aspects in between, we’ve explained all the concerned elements in detail for a better understanding of the procedure.