What Are Sheer Curtains? Types & Styling Guide

Sheer curtains are lightweight fabric curtains that allow sunlight to gently filter through while still offering a level of daytime privacy. They are usually translucent, which means the fabric scatters light rather than blocking it. This creates a diffused glow that brightens the room without the harshness of direct sun. Many people often confuse sheer curtains with net curtains, but net curtains tend to be stiffer and less breathable, whereas mulmul sheers move softly and feel far more premium in Indian homes.

Most sheer curtains are made from polyester or synthetic fabrics. They work, but they often look flat, stiff, and a little lifeless. Peepul Tree uses mulmul cotton instead. Mulmul gives sheers a softer drape, more breathability, and a more natural movement with the breeze. It feels as if the curtain truly belongs in an Indian home.

Sheer curtains can be used alone for a clean and airy look, or they can be paired with heavier drapes when you want the option of blocking out light at night. Their versatility makes them one of the easiest ways to style any room, whether you live in a compact apartment or a spacious home.

Why Homes Feel Different When Sheer Curtains Are Added?

There is a noticeable shift in how a room feels once sheer curtains are hung. The space brightens but doesn’t glare. Corners look softer. Colours look warmer. The room gets a natural uplift without any major décor changes. Sheer curtains also balance daylight beautifully throughout the day, making mornings gentle and evenings cosy. Their ability to blend into any interior style, from minimalistic to traditional, is exactly why homeowners often consider them the easiest décor upgrade.

What Are the Benefits of Sheer Curtains?

Sheer curtains with handcrafted or block-printed flowers or other designs add personality to a room without making it look too busy. This makes them perfect for people who want elegant style with little visual weight.

If you have ever walked into a room with sheer curtains, you already know the feeling they create. But here are the practical benefits that make them worth adding to your home.

1. Beautiful Natural Light

Sheer curtains softly block the sun in a way that feels good. It's warm and bright like sunshine, but there's no glare.

2. Daytime Privacy

From outside, people cannot see clearly into your home. This makes sheer curtains useful for living rooms, balconies, and even bedrooms during the day.

3. A Larger, Airier Feel

Because they are light and semi transparent, sheer curtains visually expand a room. Perfect for smaller spaces or rooms with limited natural light.

4. Layering Options

If you want to look more put together, pair sheers with blackout curtains or printed drapes. Heavy curtains are used at night, and sheers are used during the day as the light cover that stays closed.

5. Works with Almost Any Interior Style

Minimalist, traditional, contemporary, bohemian, Indian modern, vintage. Sheer curtains fit them all.

6. Adds an Instant Sense of Calm

Spaces with diffused natural light tend to feel more relaxed. If you want your home to look softer and feel more inviting, sheers are the simplest change.

Are Sheer Curtains Suitable for All Window Types?

Many people assume sheer curtains only look good on certain kinds of windows. In reality, they work on almost everything.

Large Windows

Sheer curtains are perfect for huge windows in the living room or bedroom because they let in light without making the room feel too crowded.

Narrow Windows

Sheers soften sharp window edges and make smaller openings look more refined.

French Doors and Balcony Doors

Sheer curtains flow beautifully on long door frames. They move gently with the breeze and allow visibility while maintaining privacy.

Bay Windows

They fall gracefully across curved spaces and let the natural light pour in from multiple angles.

Kitchen Windows

Mulmul sheers offer a lighter look that feels clean and breezy.

Apartment Windows with Strong Sun

Sheer curtains help soften the light while keeping the room well lit.

Peepul Tree offers designs in both 5 feet and 7 feet lengths, which makes choosing the right fit easy whether you are dressing a window or a door.

Choosing Colours That Shape the Mood of Your Room

Colour plays a huge role in how sheer curtains influence the ambiance. Soft neutrals like off white or beige help create a peaceful, airy look. Warmer tones such as rust, mustard, or taupe bring a sense of comfort and groundedness options beautifully captured in the Pure Sheer Cotton Window Curtain  in Rust & Mustard Taupe from Peepul Tree

If you prefer a more defined pattern or deeper tone, colours like navy or brick red add subtle design presence without overwhelming the room. And because sheers interact with daylight, their colour gently shifts through the day, making them feel dynamic and alive.

How to Choose the Right Size Sheer Curtains for Doors and Windows?

Choosing length is simple once you measure correctly.

For Doors (7 Feet)

• Measure the height from the curtain rod to the floor.
• Add a couple of inches for a soft, graceful drop.
• The 7 feet length from Peepul Tree fits most Indian door frames well.

For Windows (5 Feet)

• Measure from the rod to just below the window sill.
• The 5 feet length is perfect for kitchens, narrow windows, and cozy study nooks.

Always ensure the curtain width covers the frame generously. A slightly fuller sheer gives a richer, more luxurious look.

What Rooms Are Sheer Curtains Suitable For?

Sheer curtains are one of the most adaptable window treatments you can bring into your home. Their soft fabric, airy texture, and ability to filter light gently make them suitable for almost every room, whether you want a bright, breezy feel or a more refined, elegant look.

Living Room

In the living room, sheer curtains help create an open, welcoming atmosphere without blocking natural light. They soften direct sunlight, reducing harsh shadows and glare while still keeping the room bright. Because living rooms are often used for both relaxation and hosting guests, sheers help strike the perfect balance between comfort and style. Their gentle flow adds movement, while their translucency ensures the space feels bigger and more breathable.

Bedroom

Sheer curtains are ideal for the bedroom because they diffuse early morning light into a soft glow, helping you wake up naturally and peacefully. They provide enough daytime privacy while keeping the room bright and airy. When layered with blackout curtains, they offer the flexibility to switch between gentle daylight and complete darkness. This makes bedrooms feel calm, cosy, and visually soothing - essential qualities for restful sleep.

Balcony or Patio Doors

For balcony doors, sheers help filter strong outdoor light and bring a breezy, fluid movement into the room. The gentle sway of the fabric creates a serene, coastal-like feel while still allowing you to enjoy outside views. They help reduce glare during afternoons and soften the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Sheers on balcony doors also contribute to a sense of privacy without feeling heavy or obstructive.

Study or Home Office

In studies and home offices, sheer curtains help maintain an optimal working environment by allowing natural light in while cutting down the glare on screens. Harsh daylight can feel distracting and tiring, so sheers help create a softer, more productive atmosphere. They also give the room a clean, uncluttered look - something that improves focus and reduces visual noise during long working hours.

Dining Room

Dining rooms benefit from sheer curtains because they frame the space in a soft, elegant way. During the day, they allow natural light to illuminate the dining area, making lunches or brunches feel warm and inviting. During the evening, they help create a cosy, ambient setting for dinners or gatherings by diffusing artificial lighting through the fabric. Their texture adds refinement without stealing attention from the dining decor.

How to Clean Sheer Curtains Made of Mulmul Cotton?

Mulmul is delicate, so gentle care keeps your curtains looking beautiful.

Shake off dust gently.

Use mild detergent in cold or lukewarm water.

Hand wash only.

Do not wring harshly.

Air dry in the shade.

Do not machine dry because mulmul can shrink.

Iron on low heat if needed.

The colours and motifs remain beautiful for years when cared for gently.

Styling Ideas: How Sheer Curtains Transform a Room?

1. Create a Soft, Layered Look

Pair sheer curtains with solid blackout drapes or linen curtains. The sheers add lightness, while the heavier layer brings structure. This combination instantly makes the window look fuller, more polished, and more premium.

2. Use Double Rods for a Hotel-Style Finish

Installing a double curtain rod allows you to keep sheers drawn all day while the main curtains stay pulled back. This gives your room the same soft, filtered-light look you see in boutique hotels.

3. Add Height With Floor-Length Sheers

Floor-grazing sheers visually stretch the height of the room. If your room feels small or the ceilings feel low, long sheers make the space look taller and more elegant.

4. Choose Airy Colours to Brighten the Room

Off whites, soft beiges, pale greys, and muted pastels help reflect light and make the room feel bigger. These colours work beautifully in living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms where brightness matters.

5. Use Subtle Prints for Character

Sheer curtains with minimal floral or geometric patterns add personality without overwhelming the space. They’re perfect for corners where you want interest but not heavy colour - reading nooks, home offices, or children’s rooms.

6. Frame the Window With Extra Fullness

Choosing a wider rod or panels with 2x fullness creates gentle waves and soft pleats.This gives the window a more luxurious, styled look instead of a flat, functional one.

7. Let the Breeze Enhance the Aesthetic

On balcony doors, verandas, or windows that get good airflow, sheers add a sense of movement. The gentle sway of the fabric makes the space feel more relaxed, airy, and lived-in.

8. Create Privacy Without Blocking Light

In apartments or rooms facing busy streets, sheers help you feel shielded without darkening the space. This works especially well for kitchens, studies, and living rooms.

9. Pair With Wooden or Cane Furniture for a Natural Look

Sheer curtains complement earthy textures - wood, cane, rattan, jute, woven mats, indoor plants. Together, they create a warm, mindful, grounded aesthetic.

10. Use Sheers to Soften Harsh Architecture

If your room has sharp lines, big windows, or industrial finishes, sheers add softness and balance. They help the overall room feel more inviting and less rigid.