Choosing shop curtains: sheers, blackout layers, and blinds

Thin, light-colored fabrics often appeal first: they admit daylight while softening hard glazing. But filtering sunlight and preventing views inside are separate goals. Fabric appealing by day may not perform the same role during evening business.

Thin light-transmitting curtains are called sheers. For example, IKEA's STENFRÖ sheer curtain description notes dispersed daylight, possible daytime silhouettes, and visible interiors with lights on at night. Choosing an airy, chiffon-like fabric does not establish privacy.

For consultation or exercise areas needing screening, place samples against actual windows and inspect from both sides. Check silhouettes, tabletop objects, and illuminated screens as well as fabric color. Revisit daytime selections under evening lighting to clarify why they work.

If the aim is retaining outdoor views while softening daylight, a single sheer layer may suffice. Waiting and consultation areas can have different requirements within one shop. List what needs screening at each window before using the same fabric everywhere.

One option uses sheers by day and closes heavier curtains in the evening. Apparent thickness alone does not establish blackout performance. Distinguish light-filtering or room-darkening descriptions from fabric blocking transmitted light. IKEA's KORGMOTT product description identifies that product's fabric as blackout.

Even blackout fabric can admit light through sides or a central gap. This explains why a hand-held sample and a complete installed window differ. Mark central overlap and coverage beyond both window edges on installation drawings.

For double layers, decide rail depth and gathered width when open. Side folds may continuously cover some glazing or touch nearby equipment and cabinets. The photo with an exposed central window and curtains gathered at the sides illustrates the space needed even when open.

Set length with floor cleaning in mind. Trailing fabric may not suit daily damp mopping. Both STENFRÖ and KORGMOTT instructions consider shrinkage before hemming, but specify different washing temperatures. Obtain the selected product's care label and agree whether length is set before or after washing.

Desks or cabinets directly before windows can make pulling curtains sideways awkward. Compare roller blinds lifting upward or horizontal slats with adjustable angles. They reduce gathered side fabric but still need reachable controls and clearance for window opening.

For windows turning around corners as pictured, choose between a continuous covering and independent sections. Check whether one sunlit window can be shaded while retaining the view through another. Frequency and extent of opening matter more than deciding whether curtains or blinds seem more luxurious.

Distinguish fabric width from overall blind width too. IKEA's FRIDANS 180cm product description separately lists 180cm fabric width and 185cm roller width. These product-specific figures illustrate what to measure for recess installation. Compare the ordered model's overall width with the installation position.

Maintenance also differs from curtains. The same FRIDANS guidance calls for wiping with a mild-detergent cloth rather than washing. This does not identify the pictured blinds as that product. Retain actual installed-product instructions and list daylight, evening privacy, operating space, and cleaning requirements for each window.

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