Sheer Curtains

What are sheer curtains?

Sheer curtains are an excellent, yet incredible easy way to enhance a room design without overpowering it. They are light and airy and almost invisible to let the maximum amount of daylight in. They can also be subtly opaque to provide some privacy along the way. Many curtain set designs feature one sheer piece in the background and a thermal curtain or a blackout curtain in the front. 

Advantages of sheer curtains

Sheer curtains offer the benefits of versatility, lightness and convenience. They are practical and easy to hang and maintain.

Transparent curtain fabrics boast a unique quality of flooding the room with light. At the same time, stylish colour palettes effortlessly dress up every window style with refined elegance, while patterned sheers add decorative flair and subtle beauty with charming motifs. Custom made or readymade, sheer curtains promote a cosy, bright and cheerful atmosphere that uplifts the mood. 

Sheer curtain fabrics

Voile curtains

Voile is a lightweight, sumptuous, and gentle fabric. In fact, voile refers to any sheer, lightweight, transparent material with a specific set of features. It's typically woven from pure cotton threads, but these can be blended with polyester, too. This lightweight fabric can be plain, patterned with printed detail, or embellished with lace. Voile features a delicate surface and offers a good drape, while its structure also provides a certain degree of privacy. Its light and breezy, floaty look often bear a strong dash of romantics. It’s an extremely popular choice in New Zealand.

Net curtains

Nylon net boasts a knitted construction, with a fine yet slightly textured surface. It's a great budget-friendly option that allows a lot of light transmission without compromising on privacy. Gauze is a good alternative to nylon among curtain nets, for extra sheerness with a more open weave construction.

Lace curtains

Lace curtains add a classy touch and soften any room setting. Their distinguished open weave brings striking contrast to a contemporary look defined by geometrics, while crocheted lace offers a great way to highlight eclectic or farmhouse style. The price range of lace curtains is extensive and can reach quite high for handmade models. 

Silk/Muslin curtains

Silk's pearlescent, thin weave is gentle and sophisticated but also quite sensitive and challenging to maintain. Muslin is a budget-friendly alternative to silk, more opaque than other options, yet lightweight enough to make a sheer curtain.

Eyelet cotton curtains

Sheer cotton comes with small eyelets, boasting the look of an open weave. It's affordable and easier to maintain than lace. White sheer curtains in eyelet cotton can fit a broad range of interior designs in New Zealand, from rustic and coastal to contemporary. An alternative to eyelet cotton is sheer linen curtains, which also add a touch of organic quality. 

How to hang sheer curtains

Sheer curtains with thicker curtains

The most common way to layer sheer curtains in New Zealand is mix-and-match with blackout curtains or thermal drapes. This style helps with insulation, supports privacy and makes for an excellent window furnishing. 

Multiple panels of sheer curtains

Sheer curtains are thin and easy to combine in multiple layers. The result can be an impressive, unique setup that offers almost full privacy while still transmitting plenty of light. 

Sheer window scarf

Draping sheer fabric over a curtain rod and letting it fall freely on one or both sides looks strikingly chic. This style allows for many creative solutions, from various angles to combinations of different shades. However, it's also all aesthetics and almost no privacy. 

Sheer creativity for bedroom

Sheer curtains can liven up a bedroom, and that doesn't apply only to windows. They can turn the bed into a luxurious shelter, whether hanging from a canopy or as a backdrop behind the bed, as seen in many homes throughout New Zealand.

Things to consider when buying sheer curtains

Transparent curtains look gorgeous on their own but provide almost no insulation, light control, or privacy. At night when the lights are open, single-layered sheer curtains expose the house interior to the outside world. For that reason, it's best to pair them with blackout curtains or heavy draperies. 

Sheer curtains are great to form a continuous background in a room and tie it together. They also provide a solution for mismatched windows or dividing large spaces. 

Sheer curtains need regular washing and cleaning. Due to the nature of the fabric, dirt sticks easily and lingers, leading to permanent stains and discolouration over time. 

The fragile fabrics must be handled with a lot of care. The best way to clean them in New Zealand is by soaking in cold water for 5 minutes with a mild detergent or short machine wash on specific programs. Sheer curtains can be briefly dried in a dryer and hung while still damp. 

If you need assistance to select the best sheer curtains for your place, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals in New Zealand, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.