by Bedroom curtains do more work than curtains anywhere else in the house — blocking light for sleep, keeping the room warm, and cutting down outside noise. This guide covers what actually matters when choosing them, particularly the lining decision most people get wrong.
Blackout vs. Thermal Lining: They’re Not the Same Thing
These two linings solve different problems, and it’s a common mistake to assume one automatically gives you the other. Blackout lining is built specifically to block light, using a dense, often rubberised layer, and can eliminate light entirely when done well. Thermal lining is built to reduce heat transfer through the window, keeping the room warmer in winter and cooler in summer, but doesn’t necessarily block light completely on its own. Many bedroom curtains now combine both in a single lining, which is worth asking for specifically if you want full darkness and better insulation together.
How Much Difference Lining Actually Makes
Closing ordinary curtains at dusk is estimated to reduce heat loss through a window by around 15%, rising to closer to 25% with a proper thermal lining fitted. For a bedroom, that’s a genuine, measurable contribution to a warmer room overnight, on top of the light-blocking benefit if you’ve also chosen a blackout option.
Fabric Weight and Your Curtain Pole
Blackout and thermal linings add real weight to a curtain, and very heavy, fully-blackout fabric can strain a lightweight decorative pole over time. If you’re set on a slim, decorative pole rather than a sturdier track, a medium-weight lining (often specified in GSM, grams per square metre) strikes a better balance than the heaviest blackout option, which is better suited to a stronger track or pole rated for the extra load.
Getting the Best Blackout Result
Light leaks in around the edges of a curtain more than through the fabric itself, so positioning matters as much as the lining. Hang the pole or track several centimetres above the window frame and extend it well beyond each side, so the closed curtains overlap the wall rather than sitting flush with the frame. Full-length curtains that reach the floor also close off the draught and light gap at the bottom that shorter curtains leave open.
Fabric Choices for Bedrooms
- Velvet – naturally heavy and good at both insulating and softening sound; suits a lined, more formal bedroom look
- Linen – lighter and more relaxed, usually paired with a separate blackout or thermal lining rather than relying on the fabric alone
- Cotton or polyester blends – practical, widely available, and easy to combine with any lining type
For more on how different fabrics behave and which suit which rooms, see our curtain fabrics guide.
Noise Reduction as a Secondary Benefit
A heavier, lined curtain also absorbs some ambient sound, which matters if the bedroom faces a road or a noisy side of the house. This isn’t a substitute for proper soundproofing, but it does noticeably soften noise compared with a single layer of unlined fabric.
Measuring and Ordering
The measuring process for bedroom curtains is the same as for any room: measure the fitted pole or track rather than the window, and choose your heading style before confirming the drop. Our made to measure curtains guide covers this process in full detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do blackout curtains automatically keep a room warmer too?
Their weight alone helps somewhat, but a curtain with dedicated thermal lining performs noticeably better at reducing heat loss than a blackout-only lining.
Will heavy blackout curtains damage a lightweight pole?
Over time, yes, they can strain a decorative pole not rated for the extra weight. A sturdier track or a medium-weight lining is a safer choice for lighter hardware.
How do I stop light coming in around the edges of bedroom curtains?
Fit the pole or track wider than the window and slightly higher than the frame, so the closed curtains overlap the wall rather than sitting flush against the glass.
