Layered Sheer Curtains: How to Get the Gathered Look

Layered sheer curtains are a sheer panel hung closest to the glass with a heavier drape on the room side. The sheer softens daylight and gives privacy, and the heavy layer gets pulled back to frame the window or closed for darkness. The "brooched" look this post is named for is simply that heavier layer (or a full sheer) gathered and cinched with a holdback so it curves instead of hanging straight.

It's a forgiving style, and most of the work is in three decisions: how much fabric you buy, how high you hang it, and what the fabric does around pets. Let's take them in order.

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How to layer curtains with sheer panels

Hang the sheer on the track or rod nearest the glass and the heavier panel in front of it. Keep the sheer closed during the day and draw the heavy layer back. At night, close both.

You have two hardware options. A double rod (or double bracket) gives each layer its own pole, so they move independently. If you only have one rod, you can hang both layers on it with separate rings, sheer behind, heavy in front. It works, but the layers crowd each other, so use a rod with enough projection and keep the heavy panel lightweight enough not to drag the sheer along.

If you want a longer walkthrough, see how to layer curtains with sheers in 10 steps.

Which layer goes in front?

The sheer goes against the glass and the opaque drape goes on the room side. That order lets the heavy panel frame the sheer, and it lets you close only the sheer for filtered daylight. Reverse it and you'd have to open the heavy layer just to see the sheer work.

Layering sheer and blackout curtains

For a bedroom, sheers alone rarely give enough darkness for sleep. Double layer curtains, sheer and blackout, solve this: the sheer handles daytime privacy and glare, and a blackout or lined drape handles night. I wrote more on this pairing in layering sheer and blackout curtains and adding sheers to blackout panels.

Glare is the practical reason to keep the sheer. The U.S. Department of Energy's building science site notes that shades, louvers and screens can help control unwanted glare and heat. A sheer is a simple indoor version of that idea. The same page says windows on the north and south sides are easiest to control for glare and heat, so east and west windows are where a sheer layer earns its keep.

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How much fullness do sheers need?

Plan on 2.5 to 3 times the width of the window in flat fabric. For a 100-inch window, that's 250 to 300 inches of sheer. Anything near 1.5x looks flat and skimpy, and 2x suits ripple-fold tracks but reads tailored rather than romantic. Gathering a curtain back only looks good when there's plenty of fabric to gather.

Extend the rod about 10 to 15 inches past the frame on each side so the stacked curtains don't cover the glass when open.

Rules for layering curtains: height, length and hardware

Mount high

Hang the rod at least 4 to 6 inches above the window frame, or about halfway between the frame and the ceiling. It makes the ceiling feel taller. As an architect, I'd go as high as the room allows.

Pick a hem length

• Hovering about 1/4 inch off the floor looks custom, hangs straight and stays cleanest. It's my recommendation.
• A slight break, with about 1 inch of extra fabric on the floor, looks relaxed but tailored.
• A puddle of 2 to 4 inches is romantic and collects dust and pet hair.

Use rings and hooks, and place tie-backs well

Rings let the fabric glide and give a traditional drape. Grommets look more casual. Place tie-backs about two-thirds of the way down the window; halfway splits the window in two and lowers the look of the ceiling. Magnetic holdbacks work well for renters because they need no drilling. A French return rod, which curves back to the wall, closes the light gap at the sides.

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Choosing a sheer fabric

The fabric decides the quality of the light and how the curtain behaves in daily life.

• Linen has a natural uneven texture and a relaxed drape, but it wrinkles. If you dislike the lived-in look, skip it.
• Polyester voile holds a pleat, resists wrinkles and washes easily. Choose a matte finish, since cheap voile can look shiny.
• Cotton batiste is semi-sheer, gives a little more privacy and a soft white glow that suits bedrooms.

Test a swatch against your window first. Some bright white synthetics turn cool and bluish in daylight, while ivory, oyster or off-white keep the light warmer.

Sheer and layered curtain ideas for the bedroom and living room

In a bedroom, pair a white or ivory sheer with a lined velvet or linen drape in a deeper tone, and close both at night. Cotton batiste gives that soft, cloud-like glow.

In a living room, keep the sheer closed for daytime privacy and tie back a pleated drape at the two-thirds mark to frame the window. For more styles, try romantic sheers and linen draping, sheer and velvet layering or a modern mix of sheers and drapes. Charcoal sheers are moody and give a clearer view out than white ones, though they can make a small room feel smaller.

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Sheer curtains with pets

Cats and loose-weave sheers don't mix. One pulled thread can ruin a panel. A tight-weave, high-twist polyester voile is slippery and less satisfying to claw. Check with your vet or a pet behavior professional if scratching becomes a habit.

Synthetics attract static and fur, so look for anti-static finishes and skip the puddle hem. For dog households I recommend machine-washable polyester sheers that you can wash on a gentle cycle and re-hang damp. Silk is dry-clean only and stains permanently with water.

Finishing details

• Look for a weighted hem so sheers don't billow when a window is open.
• Use a 1-inch rod under 9-foot ceilings and a thicker one, around 1.5 inches, for higher ceilings.
• Steam curtains after hanging so the pleats fall straight.
• Count and space the rings evenly before you start.

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Frequently asked questions