Extra Sheer Curtains

Extra sheer curtains are a wonderful way to dress a window, and one of the most versatile. They look stylish as stand-alone curtains, but are also used under traditional drapes and are a more modern and stylised version of the old ‘net curtains’. They are also known as Voiles.

A Sheer fabric allows the sun to shine in, but will also allow the person inside the room to see out. They work well in all types of spaces, but especially in the smaller room, as the ability to look out beyond the room will make the room feel larger.

Unlike the older style net curtains, sheers come in some wonderful fabrics such as a variety of silks and organza.

A great way to use them in a room is to hang them under your existing drapes. This will give you the freedom to leave your curtains wide open during the day, without losing any privacy. If your main curtains are heavily patterned then consider plain voiles or just pick out one of the colors in your heavier set, and have that running through the sheers as a simple and understated pattern. You do not want two different patterns and designs screaming at you from your windows.

In a bedroom, remember that sheer will not give total darkness at night. If you have light coming in from street lamps, they are best used as an under dressing.

When taking the measurements for your new curtains, always follow the manufacturers instructions, and be sure to check out their website for the advice they provide on measuring for their particular brand and style. As sheer fabric is so light you can get away with a dressing that is slightly larger than is needed. It is not noticeable when hanging on your window. However, make sure that you do not under measure. This will be obvious once the fabric is hung.

Caring for your sheer window treatments.

Keep your voiles away from Velcro. This is self-explanatory really, but Velcro will cling on to delicate materials such as organza and silk, and will damage them as you try to separate them.

As these curtains are so light, they can often get caught when opening and closing the window, this can damage the material. So, extra care must be taken to ensure the curtain is fully inside the window before closing.

Sheers are so very light, they are easy to take down and re hang, making it simple to keep them washed, clean and fresh. They should be washed monthly, or more frequently if they are hanging in a room that gets dusty when the window is open.

Keep away from direct heat and naked flame. Lightweight materials are so much more susceptible to heat damage than heavier fabrics. Be especially careful with candles.

Your sheer window treatments will blow a lot when the window is open; if you live in a particularly windy spot then consider buying little weights to hang on the end of them. This will keep them in place and will not take from them aesthetically.

Extra sheer curtains are a wonderful way to give a room a new fresh look without breaking the bank.