Choosing Curtains Room by Room:A Canberra Curtain Designer’s Guide to Sheers, Blockouts and Flyscreens

When I walk into a new home in Canberra, I never start by asking what curtains the owner wants.

I start by asking a quieter question:“How do you use this room?”

Because the truth is, no single type of curtain works perfectly everywhere. A living room has very different needs from a bedroom. A kitchen behaves differently from a home office. And in Canberra — where light, seasons and daily routines shift so noticeably — choosing the right window solution is always about matching the curtain to the room, not the other way around.

In this guide, I’ll take you through a typical Canberra home, room by room, and explain how sheer curtains, blockout curtains and flyscreens each find their place — not as trends, but as tools for comfort.

Living Rooms: Soft Light, Privacy and a Sense of Openness

Living rooms are where sheer curtains truly shine.

In most Canberra homes, living areas have larger windows and receive strong daylight for much of the day. Without any filtering, that light can feel sharp or overwhelming — especially in north- or west-facing rooms.

This is where sheer curtains Canberra homeowners love become the natural choice.

Sheer curtains soften daylight rather than blocking it. They allow the room to stay bright and welcoming while removing glare from floors, screens and furniture. From a design perspective, they also add movement and warmth, helping the space feel relaxed rather than rigid.

For street-facing living rooms, sheer curtains offer something especially valuable: daytime privacy without emotional closure. You can enjoy light and views without feeling exposed.

Many living rooms also benefit from layering:

• Sheer curtains for everyday use

• Blockout curtains for evenings, movie nights or extra privacy

This combination allows the room to adapt naturally from day to night — something I always encourage in Canberra homes with flexible living spaces.

Bedrooms: Balancing Daytime Calm and Night-Time Rest

Bedrooms require a different mindset altogether.

Here, comfort isn’t just visual — it’s physical and emotional. Bedrooms need to feel calm during the day and protected at night.

During daylight hours, sheer curtains work beautifully in bedrooms. They:

• Allow soft natural light in

• Maintain privacy from neighbours

• Keep the space feeling light rather than closed

But when evening arrives, bedrooms almost always need more.

That’s where blockout curtain Canberra households rely on become essential. Blockout curtains reduce external light, help insulate against cold winter nights, and create a sense of enclosure that supports rest.

Research from the Sleep Foundation explains that darker sleep environments help support deeper, more consistent sleep by reducing light exposure at night.

From a design perspective, the most successful bedrooms almost always use both:

• Sheer curtains for daytime comfort

• Blockout curtains for night-time rest

This layered approach mirrors natural rhythms — light by day, darkness by night — and avoids forcing one curtain to do everything.

Home Offices: Reducing Glare Without Losing Light

Home offices have become a permanent part of many Canberra homes, and they bring very specific window challenges.

Screens and harsh sunlight do not mix well. Direct glare can cause eye strain, headaches and constant adjustment throughout the day.

In most home offices, sheer curtains are the first solution I recommend. They diffuse incoming light, creating a more even visual environment that’s easier to work in for long periods.

For rooms that double as guest spaces or study-bedrooms, adding blockout curtains provides flexibility — allowing the space to shift from productive during the day to restful at night.

The key in home offices is balance: enough light to stay alert, but soft enough to remain comfortable. Sheer curtains achieve this better than almost any other window covering.

Kitchens and Dining Areas: Light, Airflow and Practicality

Kitchens and dining spaces are often overlooked when it comes to window furnishings, yet they benefit enormously from the right approach.

In these areas, light and airflow matter more than privacy or darkness. This is where flyscreens Canberra homes depend on become particularly important.

Flyscreens allow windows and doors to stay open for ventilation — essential during warmer months — while keeping insects outside. This supports a fresher indoor environment and reduces reliance on air conditioning when Canberra evenings are cool and pleasant.

Public health guidance from organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the role of physical barriers such as screens in preventing insects from entering living spaces.

In dining areas, sheer curtains can also play a supporting role by softening light without interfering with airflow. Heavy blockouts are rarely needed here, except in open-plan spaces that connect directly to living rooms.

Street-Facing Rooms and Front Spaces: Privacy Without Darkness

Many Canberra homes have rooms that face directly onto the street — front living rooms, studies, or bedrooms close to footpaths.

These spaces often make homeowners feel torn between privacy and light.

This is where sheer curtains quietly solve the problem.

Sheer curtains provide daytime privacy while preserving openness. They allow occupants to enjoy natural light and a connection to the outside world without feeling watched.

In the evening, these rooms can transition easily by drawing blockout curtains, creating privacy and warmth without sacrificing daytime comfort.

From a design standpoint, this combination is one of the most emotionally reassuring setups I see in Canberra homes.

Modern living room with stylish decor and vibrant accents.

Hallways, Entryways and Transitional Spaces: Often Forgotten, Surprisingly Important

In many Canberra homes, hallways and entryways are treated as purely functional spaces — places people pass through rather than spend time in. Because of this, window furnishings in these areas are often overlooked.

From a designer’s perspective, that’s a missed opportunity.

Transitional spaces shape first impressions. The moment someone steps inside, the quality of light and sense of openness immediately influences how welcoming the home feels. Harsh glare or exposed windows near entryways can make a space feel abrupt or uncomfortable, even if the rest of the home is beautifully designed.

In these areas, sheer curtains are usually the most suitable choice. They soften incoming light without darkening narrow spaces and provide privacy from nearby streets or neighbours. Because hallways don’t require complete darkness or insulation, blockout curtains are rarely necessary here.

In homes where entryways connect directly to outdoor areas, flyscreens can also play a quiet supporting role, allowing fresh air to move through without compromising comfort.

Bathrooms and Laundry Areas: Light and Privacy in Balance

Bathrooms and laundries are often excluded from curtain conversations altogether, but in homes with windows facing neighbours or outdoor areas, light and privacy still need to be managed.

In these rooms, sheer curtains — or sheer-style solutions — can be useful when paired with frosted glass or appropriate window placement. They allow daylight in while maintaining discretion, especially in homes where bathroom windows face shared spaces.

Blockout curtains are rarely appropriate here, but flyscreens are often extremely practical, particularly in laundries where ventilation helps manage moisture and odours.

From a functional standpoint, these rooms benefit most from breathable, low-maintenance solutions that prioritise airflow and light.

Outdoor-Adjoining Rooms: Blurring the Line Between Inside and Out

Rooms that open directly onto patios, balconies or gardens behave differently from fully internal spaces.

In these areas, sheer curtains and flyscreens often work together. Sheer curtains soften daylight and provide privacy, while flyscreens allow doors to remain open for airflow during warmer months.

This pairing is especially effective in Canberra’s milder evenings, where natural ventilation can replace artificial cooling. Blockout curtains may still be used selectively for privacy at night, but during the day, sheers help maintain a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living.

Design-wise, sheer curtains also move gently with air from open doors, adding softness and a sense of continuity between spaces.

Children’s Rooms: Flexibility as Needs Change

Children’s rooms change more than any other space in the house.

What works for a toddler may not suit a school-aged child or teenager. For this reason, flexibility is key.

Sheer curtains help maintain gentle daylight during playtime and daytime naps, while blockout curtains become essential for early bedtimes or lighter summer evenings.

As children grow, this layered system continues to work — adapting to changing routines without needing to be replaced.

Open-Plan Homes: Creating Zones With Curtains

In open-plan Canberra homes, curtains often do more than cover windows — they help define zones.

Sheer curtains can soften light across large spaces, preventing any single area from feeling harsh or overexposed. Blockout curtains can be used selectively to close off media areas or bedrooms without affecting the entire space.

Flyscreens, meanwhile, support airflow across open areas, making the whole home feel more breathable during warmer months.

When chosen thoughtfully, each element supports the others rather than competing.

A Designer’s Closing Advice

After years of walking through Canberra homes, my advice is always the same:

Don’t choose curtains by category first. Choose them by room.

Sheer curtains, blockout curtains and flyscreens all have their strengths. When they’re matched to the right spaces, they quietly improve comfort, privacy and daily life.

If you’re planning window furnishings for your home, take the time to consider how each room is used — morning, afternoon and night. The right combination will reveal itself naturally.

And when it does, your home won’t just look better.It will feel easier to live in.