Lined Curtains vs Blackout Curtains
Lined vs Blackout Curtains: Which is Right for You?
Choosing new curtains is one of the most exciting ways to refresh a room. They frame your windows, add colour and texture, and have a massive impact on the feel of the space. But when it comes to deciding between different types, things can get confusing. One of the most frequently asked questions is about lined vs. blackout curtains. What’s the difference, and which one is the right choice?
Both lined and blackout curtains are brilliant options, but they do slightly different jobs. Understanding the differences will help you pick the perfect pair for your needs, ensuring your room looks beautiful and feels wonderfully comfortable.
What are Lined Curtains?
Put simply, a lined curtain is made from two layers of fabric stitched together. The main decorative fabric you see on the front (like our beautiful linen or cotton curtains) and a separate lining fabric on the back. This lining adds weight and body to the curtain, helping it to drape beautifully and providing a degree of light filtering and insulation.
Our fully-lined curtains are fantastic all-rounders. They reduce the amount of light coming into a room compared to unlined curtains, making them ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, or studies where a soft, diffused light is desired rather than complete darkness. The lining also helps to protect the main fabric from fading in the sun and adds an extra layer against draughts, helping to keep your room warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
What are Blackout Curtains?
These are designed to block out as much external light as possible. They achieve this by using a special blackout lining. This lining is a very densely woven fabric, often with multiple layers fused, so that light simply cannot penetrate.
Our blackout curtains are the absolute heroes of bedrooms, nurseries, or any space where you want near-total darkness. They are brilliant for light sleepers, shift workers, children’s rooms (especially during lighter summer evenings), or even for creating a cinema-like atmosphere in your living room. In addition to blocking light, the dense blackout lining provides excellent thermal insulation, keeping your room warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Lined vs Blackout Curtains
So, when you're comparing lined vs blackout curtains, what are the main things to consider?
Light Control
This is the biggest difference. Blackout curtains aim to block virtually all light (around 95-99%), creating a very dark room. Lined curtains will significantly dim the room and reduce glare, but will still allow some soft light to filter through.
Insulation & Noise Reduction
Both offer thermal benefits, but the thicker, denser lining on blackout curtains generally provides slightly better insulation against heat loss and gain, and can offer more noticeable noise reduction.
Drape & Feel
Lined curtains often have a slightly softer, more fluid drape due to the standard lining. Blackout lining can make the curtain feel slightly thicker and stiffer, but it is still designed to hang beautifully.
Room Suitability
Lined curtains are wonderfully versatile for most living spaces. Blackout curtains are the specialist choice for rooms where darkness is the top priority.
Do I Need Blackout Curtains?
This is a really common question. The answer depends entirely on your needs and how you use the room. Ask yourself:
Are you (or is someone in your house) particularly sensitive to light when sleeping?
Do you work shifts and need to sleep during the day?
Do you want your children’s room to be dark for naps and early bedtimes in summer?
Do you want to create a dark environment for watching films?
Is reducing heat loss/gain or outside noise a major priority?
If you answered yes to one or more of these, then blackout curtains are likely a brilliant investment for you. If your main goal is simply to add style, improve the drape of your curtains, and reduce glare in a living space, then fully-lined curtains will be absolutely perfect.
For more guidance, our curtains advice page offers a wealth of helpful tips.
Measuring and Care for Curtains
Whichever option you choose, getting the measurements right will ensure your curtains look their best and function effectively. Our simple measuring for curtains guide makes this step easy.
The good news is that both our lined and blackout curtains are designed to be easy to care for. You can find all the details on keeping them looking beautiful in our caring for curtains guide.
Both lined and blackout curtains are fantastic choices that add style and comfort to your home. By thinking about how much light control you need for each specific room, you can confidently choose the perfect option to create a space you’ll absolutely love spending time in.
