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.
Blackout Blinds + Curtains: The Ultimate Combo
For the darkest possible bedroom, layer a blackout blind with curtains. The blind seals light at the glass; full-length curtains cover the side gaps where blinds always leak. This combination also adds thermal insulation and sound softening — triple benefits from one decision. Keep the blind plain and let the curtains carry any pattern. For shift workers, new parents, or anyone on a lit street, this is the single most effective sleep upgrade short of moving house.
Curtains for Children’s Bedrooms
Kids’ bedrooms have their own rules. Blackout is near-essential for summer bedtimes when it is light until 10pm — overtired children are nobody’s idea of fun. Choose cordless or motorised operation (child safety law now effectively requires cordless for new installations). Washable fabrics matter more than pristine ones; mid-range cottons that survive the machine beat precious silks. Let children choose between two parent-approved options — ownership reduces curtain-swinging curiosity.
Dealing With Streetlights
A streetlight outside the bedroom window defeats ordinary curtains. True blackout lining (triple-weave or coated) blocks it; standard “dimout” will not. Mount curtains wider than the frame (15–20cm each side) so light cannot sneak around edges, and consider a pelmet or valance to block the top gap — the most commonly missed light path. For extreme cases, add a blackout blind behind the curtains. Your council may also shield or redirect problematic lights on request.
Seasonal Curtain Swaps for Bedrooms
Two sets of bedroom curtains — light for summer, heavy for winter — transform comfort year-round. Summer: breathable linens or cottons that filter morning light softly. Winter: interlined or thermal curtains that hold warmth at the draughtiest surface in the room. Store off-season sets rolled in breathable bags, not plastic (which traps moisture). The swap takes an hour twice a year and makes the bedroom feel intentionally dressed for each season.
What to Avoid in Bedroom Curtains
Common missteps: sheers alone on street-facing windows (privacy fails at night when lights are on inside); dry-clean-only fabrics in children’s or pet households; curtains too narrow to close fully — measure for fullness, not just the window; and ignoring the lining, which protects your fabric investment from sun damage. Also avoid placing the bed where morning sun hits the pillow directly if you value lie-ins — no curtain is perfect. Living-room guidance with transferable principles is in our living room curtains guide.
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.
What curtains are best for bedrooms?
Blackout-lined curtains in a medium to heavyweight fabric, hung wide enough to cover the frame fully. For maximum darkness, layer with a blackout blind behind.
Do blackout curtains really block all light?
Good ones block 99–100% of light through the fabric, but edge gaps leak. Mount wide, add a pelmet for the top gap, and layer with a blind for total darkness.
Should bedroom curtains be long or short?
Full-length for the best look and fewest light gaps — unless a radiator sits beneath, in which case sill length is the practical choice.
Related Curtains & Window Treatment Guides
- Curtains: The Complete UK Guide
- Made to Measure Curtains: The Complete Buying Guide
- Living Room Curtains: Choosing the Right Style
- Curtain Fabrics Explained: Velvet, Linen & More
- Door Curtains: Do You Need One?
