curtains

Do's and don'ts of sheer curtains

Sheer curtains are forgiving fabric on unforgiving hardware. The same panel can make a room look wider and finished, or smaller and half-done — and the difference is almost always where you fix the track and how far the fabric runs. Get these six calls right and your sheers will read designer, not default.

The short version

Mount the track wide and high — 150–300mm past each side of the frame, close to the ceiling.
Run sheers to the floor with a small, even gap of about 10mm. Short sheers look unfinished.
Order 2 to 2.5 times the track width in fabric so the sheers gather into soft, even folds.
Sheers aren't private after dark, so layer them with blackout curtains in bedrooms.

Before you order: see the fabric in your own light

Fabric weight and weave change how a sheer drapes and how much light it filters, and a screen never shows that honestly. Order a sample pack and hang the fabric at your own window before you commit — sample packs ship with free express post, and you get $10 off your order when you buy. When you're ready, browse the full range on our sheer curtains collection.

Go wide, not just to the frame

Do: Extend the track 150–300mm past each side of the window.

Don't: Stop it at the architrave.

When the curtains stack on the wall instead of the glass, the whole window looks wider and you let in more light during the day. The extra width also gives the fabric somewhere to sit when it's open, so the view isn't half-covered. Our stacking calculator works out exactly how much space the sheers take when pulled back, which is handy if there's a light switch or a piece of furniture in the way.

Mount the track high

Do: Fix the track close to the ceiling or cornice.

Don't: Mount it on top of the window frame.

A high track draws the eye upward and makes the ceiling feel taller. Mounting tight to the frame does the opposite - it boxes the window in, and the room reads smaller than it is. As a rule of thumb, fix the track about two-thirds of the way between the top of the frame and the ceiling, or right up against the cornice in a standard-height room.

Hang to just above the floor

Do: Run your sheers to the floor with a small, even gap of about 10mm.

Don't: Let them sit short or puddle in a high-traffic room.

A consistent gap off the floor reads tailored, and it keeps the hem clean and easy to vacuum under. This finish comes down to one number - your finished drop - so measure carefully from the track to the floor before you order. Our measure and install guide walks through it step by step.

Don't hang them short

Do: Choose a floor-length drop.

Don't: Settle for sill-length or above-sill sheers.

Short sheers leave a band of bare wall below the hem, and the window ends up looking unfinished. Floor length is the single biggest lever you have on a designer look, and it costs nothing but a careful measurement. If your window sits low on the wall, a floor-length drop is what visually closes the gap.

DIY Curtains: Can You Install Sheers Yourself?

Absolutely — and it's easier than most people think. If you can handle a cordless drill, you can install sheer curtains yourself. Modern DIY curtain systems come with everything you need: the track, brackets, screws, hand wands, and clear installation guides.
The key is getting your measurements right before you order. Measure your window width and drop in three places (left, centre, right) and use the smallest measurement. This accounts for any unevenness in your ceiling or window frame and ensures a clean, professional fit.
For S-fold sheers — the most popular heading style for that contemporary, wave-like drape — a designer aluminium track is included, and installation is straightforward whether you're face-fixing to the wall above the window or top-fixing directly to the ceiling for a dramatic floor-to-ceiling look.

Learn more about Measuring & Installation