Do lined curtains block out light?

Not always, and that is the useful part. Only blackout lining is built to darken a room; privacy and interlining cut glare and soften daylight but still let a space read bright. Whether a lined curtain blocks light comes down to which lining you choose, not the fact that it is lined.

Is thermal or blackout lining better for keeping heat out?

Blackout lining already adds insulation from its tight weave, but for the most thermal performance, interlining, a soft layer added behind the lining, does the most to slow drafts and hold temperature. Pair it with blackout in bedrooms that face hard afternoon sun.

Home > Blog Home > Drapery Lining: Types, Fabrics, and Examples

Drapery

October 21, 2026

Drapery Lining: Types, Fabrics, and Examples

Drapery lining is a second layer of fabric attached behind a drapery panel that can add privacy, light control, sun protection and drapery fullness. Curtain lining types affect privacy, light control, insulation and the overall look of your drapery differently.

To find the right drapery lining for your space, it helps to understand what a curtain liner is, what fabrics are commonly used and how each lining type can enhance your window treatments.

Key Takeaways

At The Shade Store, privacy and blackout linings are sewn into each panel by hand. We don’t sell lining on its own.
Drapery lining is an added fabric layer that adds privacy, light control, sun protection, insulation and fullness.
Privacy lining softens daylight; blackout lining blocks up to 99% of light through the fabric; interlining adds the most warmth and body; unlined keeps a fabric’s natural glow.
Choose your lining based on the room’s function and huw much privacy and light control you need: blackout for bedrooms and nurseries, privacy for living and transitional spaces, internlining for drafty rooms, unlined or soft privacy for sheers.

What Is a Drapery Liner?

A drapery liner, also called drapery lining or curtain lining, is an extra layer of fabric sewn into the back of a drapery panel to provide better privacy, light control, sun protection, fullness and insulation. Different types of drapery lining provide different levels of these benefits.

A sunny, relaxing living room with old and new styles has Tailored Pleat Drapery made of Stonewash in White

What Fabric Is Used for Drapery Lining?

Cotton, polyester and blends of the two are the main curtain lining materials, typically in neutral tones like white and off-white. You can also line your custom drapery with the same fabric used on the front in either the same or a contrasting color, but this fabric may not provide the same protection as a dedicated curtain liner. At The Shade Store, all linings are polyester, cotton or a blend of the two.

The Benefits of Lined Curtains

A bright living room features Tailored Pleat Drapery made of Victoria Hagan's Petal in Pearl with lined curtains on large windows

Regardless of the type of drapery lining you choose, all lined curtains offer several universal benefits at different levels:

Sun protection – Lining protects your front-facing drapery material from the sun’s harmful rays, which could otherwise cause fading and even deterioration.
Insulation – Any extra layer of fabric can add insulation for better energy-efficient window treatments, helping reduce drafts and heat buildup. The thicker the drapery lining fabric, the greater the insulation benefit.
Better light control – Lining helps to further soften natural light or block it entirely, based on the type of lining you choose.
Better privacy – Lining provides another layer to block the view from the outdoors into your home and vice versa, so you have greater peace of mind in your privacy.
Adds visual weight and fullness – The additional fabric gives your drapery panels a more defined silhouette with fullness.

Do Lined Curtains Keep Heat Out?

Yes, and the amount depends on the lining. Any lining adds a layer that slows heat transfer, which is why lined curtains help make windows more energy efficient.

Blackout lining insulates well thanks to its tight weave. Yet, for the best thermal performance, interlining (a cotton flannel insert added between your drapery fabric and your chosen lining) helps reduce drafts and block heat. In rooms that face hard afternoon sun, pairing interlining with blackout gives you both darkness and the best insulation. For a deeper dive, see our guide to the best curtains to keep heat out.

Designer Insight

Most people choose lining by the fabric they love, but choosing by the wall the window sits on is often the better call. A north-facing room barely needs protection, so privacy lining keeps the space bright. A west-facing room is brutal by late afternoon, and that’s where an unlined linen starts to fade by the second summer. The lining isn’t just there to change the look, it’s there to keep the look you picked from wearing out.

Drapery Lining Types

Now that you know what a drapery liner is, along with key benefits of lining, you’re ready to compare the different types of drapery lining so you can decide which one best suits your needs. The curtain lining options below are the ones offered by The Shade Store, and all are sewn into the back of your drapery panels at the time of purchase. We don’t sell lining on its own.

Lining Type	Light	Privacy	Insulation
Privacy	Softens / filters	Excellent	Good
Blackout	Blocks up to 99%	Best	Great
Interlining	Softens	Excellent	Best
Unlined	No added control	Some	Minimal

A close-up of a Raw Silk drapery panel in Glacier with privacy lining, softening the daylight coming through

Privacy Drapery Lining

Privacy lining provides excellent privacy for peace of mind while still letting some natural light gently filter through.

We offer two privacy drapery lining options:

Privacy White, 100% Polyester – Used when your chosen fabric is any material except a sheer fabric.
Soft Privacy White, 70% Polyester, 30% Cotton – Used when your chosen fabric is a sheer fabric, as it protects the fabric while preserving its airy, light-filtering quality.

Choose this for: Excellent privacy, an inviting light-filtering glow and good insulation.

Blackout Drapery Lining

Made of tightly woven polyester, Blackout Lining that blocks up to 99% of natural light throught the fabric, offering the best privacy and a room-darkening effect ideal for bedrooms.

Blackout curtain lining is available as Blackout White, a 100% Polyester material used standard with most fabrics.

Choose this for: The best privacy, a peaceful room darkening effect and great insulation.

Tailored Pleat Drapery in Victoria Hagan Petal in Pearl, blackout-lined to darken a bright bedroom

Pinch Pleat Drapery in Silk Dupioni Pewter, interlined for a fuller, more insulated panel

Interlining Drapery

Interlining consists of an additional material added between your chosen lining (privacy or blackout) and the front-facing drapery fabric. The soft middle layer adds better insulation and an even fuller, more luxurious body for your drapery panels.

Interlining is available as Interlining White, a 100% cotton material used standard whenever interlining is specified.

Choose this for: Excellent privacy, a soft, muted glow and the best level of insulation.

Unlined Drapery

Unlined drapery refers to panels that have no lining at all. Not lining your drapery allows you to experience the fabric’s natural light filtration, color and texture. Unlined drapery is most common for sheer materials, since these lightweight fabrics are made specifically for their ability to filter and soften natural light.

Choose this for: Some privacy and lots of softened natural light that highlights the material’s texture.

Pinch Pleat Drapery in Victoria Hagan Breeze in Sky, hung unlined to filter soft natural light

How Do You Attach Lining to Curtains?

Drapery lining can be sewn, buttoned, clipped or even Velcroed into the back of your drapery panel, depending on how it was made. At The Shade Store, we only offer lining sewn by professional artisans into the back of your newly ordered drapery panels for the very best effect and highest quality. We do not sell lining separately.

Lined vs. Unlined Curtains

Lined curtains have an extra sewn-in layer on the back; unlined curtains have no extra layer, just the single layer of fabric. The difference between the three include: how much light comes through, how the panels drape and how the fabric ages. Lined drapery blocks more light, hangs with more weight and structure and shields the face fabric from sun damage. Unlined curtains stay lighter and more translucent, letting a fabric’s texture and color show in daylight, which is often the point with sheers and casual linens.

	Lined Curtains	Unlined Curtains
Light control	Softens or darkens	Lets daylight through
Drape & fullness	Heavier and more full	Lighter, more relaxed fall
Privacy	Good to excellent	Limited, especially at night
Sun protection	Shields the face fabric	Face fabric takes the sun directly
Best for	Bedrooms, living rooms, formal spaces	Casual sitting rooms, entryways

The trade-off in short: lining affords you light control, privacy, insulation and longevity, at a little more weight and cost. Unlined keeps things airy and shows off the fabric, but gives up darkening and sun protection. Most rooms benefit from at least privacy lining; sheers are the main case for going unlined.

How to Choose the Right Drapery Lining

The right lining depends your needs for the room. Four considerations include:

By goal. Want warmth and fewer drafts? Interlining. Better sleep? Blackout. A soft glow with privacy? Privacy lining. To show off a beautiful weave? Unlined.
By room. Blackout is best for bedrooms and media rooms benefit for better sleep and uninterrupted screen time; Privacy lining lets some light through for a warm glow in living and dining rooms; Unlined drapes like sheers keep sunrooms and entryways welcoming and bright while providing soft privacy.
By window direction. South- and west-facing windows take hard afternoon sun, so privacy or blackout lining protects the face fabric and tames glare. North-facing rooms get gentler light, where privacy or unlined keeps the space bright.
By fabric. Delicate naturals like silk and linen benefit from privacy lining or interlining to shield them from fading. Heavier wools and cottons pair well with blackout for full darkening.

Curtain Lining Fabric Inspiration

Now that you know what the different drapery lining types are and their benefits, see curated spaces featuring drapery with curtain lining fabric to get ideas and help solidify your decision.

Soft Light & Privacy

In a transitory space like a stairwell landing, privacy-lined drapery can help ensure the perfect amount of softened light during the day for safe movement unhindered by glare or too much darkening. Plus, the lining will provide excellent privacy whenever needed. And when you choose a delicate, natural fabric like Raw Silk, privacy lining helps protect the material from the sun while still allowing light through and highlight the fabric’s natural texture.

Pictured: Outer Layer: Tailored Pleat Drapery, Raw Silk in Glacier, Privacy Lining and Inner Layer: Relaxed Roman Shade, Luxe Sheer Linen
Tranquil Room Darkening & Added Visual Weight

In a bedroom, blackout lining can help improve sleep by providing a tranquil room darkening effect that blocks up to 99% of natural light. For the best room darkening, add blackout lining to thicker materials like wool, cotton or linen. With its thickness and stiffness, blackout lining also adds visual weight to your drapery for a fuller, more defined appearance.

Pictured: Tailored Pleat Drapery, Victoria Hagan, Tidal Line in Natural, Blackout Lining
Insulation & Lush Fullness

For any room that has a bit of a draft, interlining with either privacy or blackout lining gives you excellent insulation from the cold. Plus, for formal rooms, it can be used to create a lush, full appearance for your drapery, which makes elegant materials like silk or wool look and feel even more opulent.

Pictured: Outer Layer: Pinch Pleat Drapery, Silk Dupioni, with Samuel & Sons Sakiori Embroidered trim in Salt and Inner Layer: Relaxed Roman Shades, Silk Dupioni in White

Finalize Your Drapery and Curtain Lining Selection

Now that you’ve reviewed the different types of drapery lining and how they affect light control, privacy and the overall look of your drapery, you may have a better idea of which option is right for your space. Our expert Design Consultants can help you compare lining options, understand how they work with different drapery fabrics and select the right combination for your needs. Schedule a complimentary Design Consultation to get personalized guidance and confidently finalize your drapery selection.

Two women having a design consultation for window treatments as they look at material swatches in a showroom

GET THE GUIDANCE YOU NEED

Schedule a free design consultation with our talented Design Consultants for guidance on product choice, material selection and more.

Request design consultation

Drapery Lining FAQs

The lining faces out toward the glass so it takes the sun and shields the decorative face fabric. Because The Shade Store sews lining in at production, the liner always faces the window for you.

Clip-in and Velcro aftermarket liners exist, but a lining sewn in with the panel gives the cleanest drape and the most complete light control. We sew privacy and blackout linings into new drapery rather than selling them separately.

There are four main types of drapery lining. Privacy lining softens light and adds everyday privacy for most rooms. Blackout lining blocks up to 99 percent of light through the fabric for room darkening, making it ideal for bedrooms and media rooms. Privacy or blackout lining with cotton flannel interlining adds a soft middle layer for extra insulation and body. Unlined drapery is also an option for sheer fabrics or synthetic materials where light-filtering and UV resistance are less of a concern.

Yes, all lining will block some light, but only blackout lining is built to darken a room. Privacy and interlining help cut glare and soften daylight but still let some light through for a warm glow. Whether a lined curtain blocks light comes down to which lining you choose.

Blackout lining adds insulation from its tight weave and light-blocking ability, but for the best thermal performance, add interlining, a soft layer added between the drape fabric and your chosen lining. Interlining blocks heat and cold drafts, to help maintain your room’s temperature.