essential finishing touch for the modern Melbourne home
When it comes to decorating your windows, layering curtains with sheers is one of the easiest ways to give any room a high-end, custom-designed feel. It adds depth, texture, and flexibility to your lighting.
One big question always comes up:
Which curtain goes in the front, and which goes in the back?
Here is the simple answer and a quick guide.
The Short Answer: What Comes First?
As a general rule, the sheer curtain goes closest to the window (in the back), and the main curtain goes on the inside facing the room (in the front).
Think of your sheer as the singlet or undershirt.
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The Sheer (Back): Sits against the window. You can keep it closed all day to block people from looking in while still letting bright sunlight into the room.
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The Main Curtain (Front): Sits facing your room. You close these thick curtains at night when you want total privacy or need to block out all light to sleep.
Why Hang Sheers Closest to the Glass?
Here is why this setup works best for both function and styling:
During the day, you can leave your blockout curtains open and pull the sheers closed. This diffuses harsh sunlight into a soft glow while preventing people outside from seeing in.
When you look at the window from inside the room, the flowing sheers soften the heavy look of the blockout fabric. It also is more aesthetic appealing from the street view.
Keeping sheers against the glass helps protect your indoor furniture and flooring from direct UV damage while still keeping the room bright.
When to Reverse It (The Rare Exception)
Reverse layering (or over-sheering) is used by interior designers generally to create visual depth.
It breaks the traditional rule of placing functional blockout drapes in front, flipping the configuration so the sheer sits closest to the room.
Pros
Creates visual depth and interest
- The layered fabrics add dimension and texture to the window treatment.
- The soft transparency of the sheer becomes a design feature rather than a background element.
Elegant, luxury-hotel aesthetic
- Creates a romantic, airy look often seen in boutique hotels and high-end interiors.
- The visible sheer softens the appearance of heavier drapery fabrics behind it.
Reverse layering works particularly well in:
- Master bedrooms
- Formal living rooms
- Boutique hotels and luxury accommodation
- Hamptons, classic, French Provincial, and romantic interior style
Cons
Less practical for everyday use
- Accessing the blockout drape can be less convenient because it sits behind the sheer.
- Opening and closing the layers may require more adjustment.
Reduced flexibility for light control
- Traditional layering allows the room-facing drape to be easily adjusted for privacy and darkness.
- Reverse layering prioritizes appearance over functionality.
Sheers may require more cleaning
- Because the sheer is closest to the room, it is more exposed to dust, pets, and daily contact.
It is generally less suitable for:
- Children’s rooms
- High-traffic family spaces
- Home offices
- Rooms where maximum light control and practicality are priorities
Final Thoughts
Just remember the simple rule: sheers in the back for daytime light, blockouts in the front for nighttime privacy.
For 95% of homes, this classic setup gives you the perfect balance of soft daytime sun, total nighttime privacy, and an effortlessly styled look.
Other great tips:
Both layers should ideally touch or hover just slightly above the floor (about 1/2 inch). Avoid having your sheers significantly shorter than your main curtains, as it can make the window look mismatched.
When picking colors, match the sheer to your wall or the background of your main curtain.
Safe & Classic: White or off-white sheers paired with almost any main curtain color.
Cozy & Modern: Matching the sheer color to the main curtain (like light beige sheers with warm oat-colored drapes).
Fun & Bold: Using a dark sheer (like charcoal grey) behind a light curtain to add a dramatic shadow effect.
A flat, stretched-out curtain looks skimpy especially with see-through sheers! To get that soft, ruffled, high-end look even when the curtains are pulled shut, buy sheers that are 2 times the width of your window.
Example: If your window is 40 inches wide, buy enough curtain panels so the total width equals 80 inches.
Need Help?
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