Layering made-to-measure curtains with sheers for year-round versatility is something that a lot of homeowners would love to be able to do. When you get this right, it makes all your living spaces look professional, especially downstairs, where you want a combination of light entering and privacy. 

But how can you pull this off? What strategies should you be using? 

That’s the topic of this guide. Here, we explore layering made-to-measure curtains with sheers to enhance your window dressings and give you spaces that are functional and practical. 

Why Layer Made-to-Measure With Sheers In The First Place?

There are actually quite a few reasons why you’d want to layer made-to-measure curtains with sheers. The exceptional utility of this combination is one of the reasons why you see it so often. 

One motivation is the ability to combine light diffusion with privacy. Sometimes, you want to allow light into your downstairs rooms, but you also want to prevent people from peering in from the street outside. The sheer-made-to-measure combination solves this problem. 

On top of this, many people find that it improves energy efficiency in their home. Sheers trap air, reducing heating and cooling costs by 30% or more. 

Finally, there’s just the raw aesthetic of it, something that a lot of people enjoy. Sheer looks great when paired with curtains, especially if you can keep your living room neat and tidy. 

How To Layer

So, what do you need to do when it comes to layering sheer with made-to-measure curtains? Here’s a step-by-step rundown: 

Select The Proper Hardware

First, you need to think about hardware. Both sheers and made-to-measure curtains need some sort of system to hold them up separately. 

Most people use a double curtain rod. These allow you to mount both window dressings independently. 

You can also use a track system if you have bay windows. These are best for ceiling-to-floor dressings. 

Finally, the most affordable option is poles, rings, and clips. These are okay if you have a single window dressing, but can be impractical when adding sheers. 

Choose Your Fabrics

Once you’ve sorted that, the next step is to choose your fabrics. You want something that adapts to the season. 

During winter, thermal blackouts are a good option. If you can find sheers that blend wool, these can also retain more heat. 

In the summer (or if you live in a warmer location), linen is a good option. It’s light and works well in the bedroom. Voile sheers also have UV protection built into them, so you can sit by the window, enjoy the sunlight, but avoid getting burned. 

Just ensure that the fabric measurements actually fit the window. This way, you can get full coverage. 

Get The Layering Right 

Finally, you’ll want to focus on your layering technique. Getting this right can improve your results even further. 

We suggest starting with your sheers and the inner rod. Hang these first, around 1 or 2 inches from the made-to-measure curtains. 

Then, add your opaque window dressing on the outer rod. Place tie-backs around a third of the way up from the ground to create the most pleasing aesthetics (rule of thirds in action!)

Finally, think about widths. Opaque outer curtains should be around twice the width of the window to look substantial. Sheers can be slightly wider for better light diffusion in the space. They don’t necessarily have to be the same width if you don’t want that. 

Once you complete the installation, spend some time measuring light levels entering the room. Keep adjusting your sheers until you feel like you’re filtering enough of the sun. 

Usually, the combination of sheers and made-to-measure curtains will yield around a 99% reduction in UV exposure when sitting inside. Because of this, you can use them to protect your carpets, furniture and skin from damage. 

How To Adjust Your Made-to-Measure And Sheer Layering Year-Round

You don’t need to stick with your original combination of made-to-measure and sheer year-round. In fact, switching things up from time to time is a good idea and keeps things fresh. 

For example, during the festive season, a lot of homeowners like to opt for metallic-thread sheers and velvet curtains. This combination is highly seasonal and automatically makes rooms look festive. You can also add LED strips to illuminate the window dressings from the window side, making them look even cosier from the inside. 

By contrast, in the spring, choose fresher designs. Add pastel curtains with pure white sheers, representing renewal and new beginnings. Also, choose decorative floral tiebacks for added seasonal emphasis. 

Alternatively, for the autumn, you could opt for cream sheers and brown or dark red curtains. Again, these just reflect the seasonal colours and mood. You’re free to experiment and see what works in your home and interior design themes. 

Layering Mistakes

Of course, whenever you hang made-to-measure and sheer curtains, you need to be careful. A lot of people make serious layering mistakes that ruin their interior aesthetics. 

Start by checking your rod height. Getting this too low can make your ceilings look odd. 

You can also run into mismatched fullness issues. If sheers are too sparse, they can look cheap. 

Be particularly wary of “value” sheers. A lot of people buy these thinking they’re getting a bargain, only to wind up with curtains that look like they could disintegrate by themselves. 

Lastly, be extra careful with length. Curtains should have around an inch spare, while sheers should just touch the floor. This arrangement provides the cleanest look and prevents you from tripping over on excess material. 

Final Thoughts

Layering curtains isn’t the easiest task in the world (which is why we wrote this blog). But it is one of the most satisfying when you get it right. Adding sheers to your interior space and pairing them with made-to-measure opaques gives you flexibility, privacy and UV protection. Why not take a look at your made-to-measure curtain options here and see how you could transform your space?