Choosing The Right Fabrics to Use for Double Curtains

Curtains play a key role in your window furnishings. They bring style and aesthetic appeal to your space while offering a range of practical benefits. The functionality of your curtains is determined by the fabric types. Sheer curtains offer light filtering properties that allow you to brighten your space with natural light, while blockout curtains prevent sunlight from filtering through the curtain fabric, ensuring a dark, cosy space.

There is a range of different curtain types out there. If you find yourself struggling to decide on just one design, consider installing double curtains. Double curtains allow you to enjoy the benefits of two different pairs of curtains - but what are the best fabric choices for this arrangement? We'll take you through everything you need to know about double curtains to achieve your light control, privacy and insulation preferences.

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What Are Double Curtains?

The term double curtains refers to a display of window coverings featuring two pairs of curtains, installed on a double curtain rod or double track for ideal customisation of your window treatments. Often, this curtain layering technique features a set of curtains made from uncoated curtain fabrics layered against a different curtain style, usually made from thicker curtain fabrics. You can shop from a range of different curtain styles to create a layered display for ideal functionality, right here at Spotlight.

Which Fabrics Work Best for Double Curtains?

A lighter curtain fabric, as seen with sheer curtain fabrics and linen curtain fabrics, is ideal for one set of your curtains. These curtain fabrics allow natural light to filter through to your home, brightening your space with the glow of sunlight. Pairing these curtains made from fabrics such as blockout curtain fabrics or room darkening curtain fabrics allows you to switch to the privacy and room darkening benefits these curtains provide whenever you wish.

Light and Breezy Sheers That Let the Day In

Sheer curtains are a popular choice when it comes to installing double curtains. Effortlessly tranquil in their design, these curtains establish a calming aesthetic appeal in any room. Sheer curtains are available in a range of different curtain styles. Spotlight is home to a variety of sheer curtain fabrics, ranging in terms of coverage for your windows. These include a selection of multi-drop sheers, available in different drops, where you simply select your width so you can create curtains that cover your whole window furnishings, ideal for your living room or bedroom. This range of sheer fabric broadens to sheer cafe curtain fabrics that are designed to cover only a section of your windows for a vintage inspired charm, perfect for your kitchen and dining room.

Heavy Fabrics That Do the Hard Work

On the days when you're after a little more daytime privacy for peace of mind or simply just wanting to relax in a dark, cosy space, it's the thicker fabrics that do the heavy lifting. Opting for a blockout fabric for your additional pair of curtains will allow you to switch from a light fabric to a pair of curtains that effectively prevent light from entering your space. Another popular choice for heavier fabrics is thermal curtain fabrics. While these fabrics don't completely block out sunlight, they do offer their own benefits. Thermal curtain fabrics provide room darkening properties so you can still enjoy the functionality of their room darkening and privacy benefits. They are also designed to improve the insulation and energy efficiency of your window treatments for incredible versatility.

Which Fabric Combo Works for You?

There are a range of different approaches you can take in layering your double curtains. In selecting your pair of curtains, you should first consider the room in which you are installing your double curtains. One of the most common pairings in any space is that of sheer curtains with a blockout layer. This layering is particularly ideal for bedrooms where you may wish to enjoy natural sunlight during the day, but want to switch to blockout curtains in the evening for some privacy. You may also opt for linen curtains against thermal curtains for an alternative while continuing to enjoy similar benefits. This pairing is a good option for living rooms and dining rooms due to the versatile design of the curtains. Spotlight also offers a range of voile curtain fabrics that pair nicely with weather proof curtain fabric for a double curtain display on your garden doors or in enclosed outdoor entertaining areas.

What Colours and Textures Go Well Together?

Sheer curtains and other lighter fabrics are most effective when produced in neutral, softer tones such as whites and beiges. For a nice contrasting display, pair these neutral tones with a dark colour hue for your additional curtain layer. This contrasting display adds depth and dimension to any room and is timeless, transcending trends so you can enjoy the aesthetic appeal this arrangement offers for years to come.

Smart Ways to Pair Sheers and Blockouts

While there are two approaches you can take in styling sheer and blockout curtains, the most common positioning is with the sheer curtains installed closest to the windows, with the blockout curtains arranged in front. This arrangement allows you to easily filter light through to your space during the day, closing the blockout curtains over the top when you want complete privacy and darkness.

How Do You Hang Double Curtains?

The heading style of your curtains influences the installation process. One of the easiest ways to install double curtains is on a double curtain rod. Eyelet, tab top and rod pocket curtains are designed for a curtain rod to thread through the curtains for an effortless installation. Other curtains, such as pencil pleat or pinch pleat curtains, are able to be installed on curtain tracks and also curtain rods when paired with the right accessories, such as curtain hooks and rings.

If your double curtain arrangement involves blockout curtains, it's a good idea to position your curtain rods or tracks above your window architrave to ensure complete coverage of your windows with no light slipping through any exposed gaps.

Keeping Your Curtain Fabrics in Good Shape

Keeping your curtains looking nice and neat is one way to establish a calming ambience. Most curtains simply need a dust over with a dry cloth to maintain their appearance. Make sure to follow any provided cleaning instructions, as certain fabrics have differing care routines. Check out our How To Clean Blinds And Curtains guide for more information.

Join the VIP Club for Member-Only Curtain Deals

Discover exclusive access to events and special offers on floor-to-ceiling curtains with the Spotlight VIP Club. Become a member and enjoy incredible benefits, including everyday discounts and early sales notifications. You will also receive birthday vouchers as well as an added welcome voucher when you sign up! Sign up and become a member of the VIP Club today!

Get the Best of Style and Savings With Bargains Galore

Get the best of both worlds when you install double curtains for the ultimate window covering. Spotlight is home to an extensive range of ready made curtains and curtain fabrics for you to create DIY personalised window treatments. We also offer an incredible Made to Measure Furnishings Service where we'll measure and install your curtains for you. You can also enjoy other services, including a motorisation service to streamline the operation of your curtains.

Shop our full curtains range as well as all the curtain rods and tracks you'll need, in store or online at Spotlight. And for more information on curtains, our informative buying guides, such as our guides on How To Hang Curtains and How To Measure Your Windows For Curtains & Blinds, are here to help.