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Short answer: yes, when your lights are on. Sheer curtains are one of the prettiest ways to dress a window, but they work on a simple rule of light. Whichever side is brighter becomes see-through from the darker side. During the day that’s outside, so you get privacy. At night it flips.
The good news is you don’t have to give up sheers to fix it. Sydney curtain makers such as Roma Blinds usually recommend pairing sheers with a second layer, and their guide to layering sheers with blockouts explains how the combinations work in practice.
Here’s what to know before you buy.
Why sheers are worth it
Sheers soften a room in a way blinds can’t. They filter harsh daylight into an even glow, blur the view of the street, and add movement and texture. That’s why they’ve become a staple in coastal, Hamptons and modern minimalist interiors, often hung ceiling to floor to make rooms feel taller.
Daytime vs night-time privacy
| Time | Brighter side | What people outside see |
|---|---|---|
| Day, lights off | Outside | Very little, mostly the fabric |
| Day, lights on | Similar | Shapes and movement |
| Night, lights on | Inside | Clearly into the room |
A denser weave helps a little, but no sheer gives full privacy at night on its own.
Four ways to get night privacy
- Sheers plus blockout curtains on a double track. The sheer sits closest to the glass for daytime and a heavier curtain closes over it at night. This is the most popular option and the most flexible.
- Sheers plus a roller blind behind. A slim blockout or light-filtering roller blind sits inside the recess, with the sheer in front. Good for clean, minimal rooms.
- A heavier sheer or lined voile. Some fabrics are woven more densely for better privacy while still letting light through. It’s a middle ground, not a full fix.
- Lamps instead of overhead lights. Lower, warmer lighting reduces how much shows through. Useful, but not a solution on its own.
Getting the look right
A few details make the difference between curtains that look custom and ones that look like an afterthought.
- Fullness: sheers need plenty of fabric to look soft. Curtain makers typically allow around two to two and a half times the width of the track.
- Heading style: a wave or S-fold heading gives even, modern folds. Pinch pleats suit more traditional rooms.
- Height: mount the track as close to the ceiling as possible and let the fabric just kiss the floor.
- Fabric: linen and linen-look blends feel natural and relaxed. Polyester voiles are easier to wash and less likely to crease.
Do sheers help with heat?
On their own, only slightly. They cut glare and soften direct sun, but the Australian Government’s YourHome guide notes up to 40% of a home’s heating energy can be lost through windows in winter. A layered setup with a lined or blockout curtain does far more for comfort than sheers alone.
Care tips
Most sheers can be gently machine washed on a cool cycle and rehung while slightly damp so the creases drop out. Check the care label first, especially with linen, which can shrink.
The bottom line
Sheer curtains give a room light, softness and daytime privacy, but they go see-through at night with the lights on. Pair them with a blockout curtain or a roller blind, get the fullness and height right, and you’ll have the look without the fishbowl effect.
