Curtain Linings Explained: Standard, Blackout or Interlined – Which Should You Choose?

When choosing made-to-measure curtains, it is natural to concentrate first on the colour, pattern and texture of the fabric. However, what sits behind that fabric can make a considerable difference to how your finished curtains look, hang and perform.

The right curtain lining can help protect the face fabric, improve privacy, reduce unwanted light and make a room feel more comfortable. It can also give curtains additional body and create the fuller, more luxurious appearance often associated with professionally made window treatments.

As the evenings begin to draw in and we start spending more time indoors, it is a particularly good time to consider how curtains can improve both the appearance and comfort of a room.

Here, Josh Abbott and the team at Abbotts Interiors explain the differences between standard, blackout and interlined curtains. https://abbottsinteriors.co.uk/about

Why are curtains lined?

Lining provides a separate layer behind the decorative face fabric. Although it is rarely the first thing you notice, it performs several important functions.

A suitable lining can:

• Help curtains hang more neatly
• Give additional body to the fabric
• Improve privacy
• Protect the face fabric from sunlight
• Reduce the amount of light entering a room
• Help create an extra barrier at the window
• Provide a more attractive appearance when viewed from outside

The most appropriate lining will depend on the room, the window, the chosen fabric and what you would like your curtains to achieve.

What is a standard curtain lining?

Standard lining is the most straightforward option and is suitable for many living rooms, dining rooms and other areas where strong light control is not essential.

It gives the curtains a neat, finished appearance and helps the face fabric hang properly. It can also protect the decorative material from some of the effects of sunlight and provide greater privacy when the curtains are closed.

A standard lining is often a good choice when the fabric itself is the main focus and you do not require the additional thickness of interlining or the light-reducing properties of blackout lining.

What is a blackout curtain lining?

Blackout lining is designed to significantly reduce the amount of light passing through the curtain fabric. It is therefore a popular option for bedrooms, children’s rooms, nurseries, media rooms and other spaces where a darker environment is desirable.

It is especially useful during the lighter summer months, for people who need to sleep during the day or for anyone who finds early morning light disruptive.

However, it is important to understand that a blackout lining does not necessarily make a room completely dark. While the material prevents light from passing through the body of the curtain, some light may still enter around the top, sides or centre opening.

The finished result will also depend on:

• The size and position of the curtain pole or track
• How far the curtains extend beyond the window
• The fullness of the curtains
• The chosen heading style
• Whether light can enter above or around the window treatment

Careful measuring and professional fitting can help minimise these light gaps and produce a much darker room.

What are interlined curtains?

Interlining is an additional layer of soft material placed between the decorative face fabric and the ordinary lining.

This extra layer gives curtains greater weight, body and fullness. It can make certain fabrics appear richer and help create the substantial, beautifully finished look associated with traditional bespoke curtains.

Interlined curtains can also add another layer at the window, helping a room feel more comfortable during colder weather. They are often chosen for bedrooms, formal living rooms, period properties and larger windows where a fuller curtain will complement the proportions of the space.

Interlining can be particularly effective with silks, linens and other fabrics that benefit from additional structure. However, it is not automatically suitable for every material or curtain design. The weight of the finished curtains and the strength of the selected track or pole must also be considered.

Can curtains be both blackout and interlined?

In many cases, interlining can be combined with a blackout lining. This offers the fuller appearance of an interlined curtain together with improved light control.

The finished curtains will be heavier, so the specification of the track, pole, brackets and fixings becomes especially important. An experienced curtain specialist can advise whether this combination is appropriate for your chosen fabric and window. https://abbottsinteriors.co.uk/products/curtains/poles-curtains

Which curtain lining is best for each room?

There is no single lining that is right for every window, but the following provides a useful starting point.

Living rooms and dining rooms

A standard lining may be sufficient when appearance, privacy and fabric protection are the main priorities. Interlining can be considered when you want a fuller, more luxurious finish.

Bedrooms

Blackout lining is often the preferred choice when reducing early morning light or light from streetlamps is important. Interlining may also be beneficial where additional body and comfort are required.

Children’s rooms and nurseries

Blackout-lined curtains can help create a darker setting at bedtime and during daytime naps. The curtains and their operating system should always be specified and installed with child safety in mind.

Period homes

Interlined curtains often suit the scale and character of period interiors. The additional fullness can complement tall windows, decorative poles and traditional fabrics particularly well.

Rooms with strong sunlight

A suitable lining can help protect the face fabric, although no fabric is completely immune to fading. The direction of the window, the amount of direct sunlight and the selected material should all be considered.

Josh’s advice on choosing a curtain lining

Josh Abbott recommends choosing the lining at the same time as the face fabric rather than treating it as a separate decision.

The Abbotts team considers the room, the window, the selected fabric and what the customer wants the finished curtains to achieve. Blackout lining is often the natural starting point for a bedroom, while interlining may be recommended when the priority is a softer, fuller and more luxurious appearance.

Josh also recommends considering the curtain pole or track as part of the complete design. This is particularly important with interlined curtains because the additional layers make the finished window treatment heavier. https://abbottsinteriors.co.uk/products/curtains/tracks-curtains

Every fabric and window is different, so the right choice should balance appearance, light control, practicality and the way the room is used.

The fabric matters too

A lightweight fabric will behave differently from a heavy velvet, while patterned linens, embroidered materials and delicate silks may each require a different approach. The heading style, finished length and amount of fullness will also influence how the curtains hang.

This is one of the principal advantages of choosing made-to-measure curtains. Rather than selecting the fabric and lining separately from a limited list, the complete window treatment can be designed to work together.

Made-to-measure curtains in London

At Abbotts Interiors, we help customers choose fabrics, linings, headings, tracks and poles that suit both their windows and the way they use each room.

From blackout curtains for an East London bedroom to beautifully interlined curtains for a period property, every detail can be considered as part of the design. Your curtains can then be professionally measured, made and fitted for a finish tailored to your home.

Visit our Bow showroom to explore curtain fabrics and discuss the most appropriate lining for your windows. Abbotts Interiors supplies and fits made-to-measure curtains in East London and across London.

Contact our team to arrange a consultation or visit the showroom for expert advice. https://abbottsinteriors.co.uk/contact