Curtain Lining Guide: Unlined vs Blackout vs Thermal Blackout
The lining is the part of a curtain you rarely notice, yet it decides how dark the room gets, how warm it feels and how the curtain hangs. Choosing the wrong one is one of the most common curtain regrets.
Every Onay curtain is made to order with a choice of three linings. This guide explains what each one does, which rooms it suits and how it looks from the street. If your main question is energy bills, read our detailed comparison of thermal vs blackout curtains.
Why Line a Curtain at All?
- Light control. A lining stops daylight and street light from shining through the printed fabric.
- Warmth. An extra layer traps air between the window and the room.
- Protection. The lining takes the brunt of the sun, which helps the print keep its colour for longer.
- Drape. A lined curtain has more weight and body, so it falls in fuller, heavier folds.
- A tidy view from outside. Neighbours see an even lining colour rather than the back of the print.
Option 1: Standard (Unlined)
A single layer of printed fabric. Light passes through, so the colours of the print glow when the sun is behind them.
- Best for: kitchens, dining rooms, conservatories and any room where you want privacy by day but do not need darkness.
- Good to know: the print is visible from outside in reverse. Unlined curtains are the lightest option and move easily in a breeze.
Option 2: Blackout Lining
A dense lining on the back of the curtain that blocks light. Choose it in beige or black.
- Best for: bedrooms, nurseries, TV and cinema rooms, and anyone who sleeps during the day or wakes with early summer light.
- Extra benefits: more privacy after dark, better protection for the print and furniture from sunlight, and a noticeable improvement in warmth over an unlined curtain.
- Good to know: for the darkest room, choose a length and width that overlap the window frame, because light will creep in around the edges of any curtain. See our measuring guide.
Option 3: Thermal Blackout Lining
Our thermal lining is an insulated blackout lining in navy. It blocks light like blackout lining and adds an insulating layer designed to slow heat escaping through the window.
- Best for: living rooms and bedrooms in older or draughty homes, north facing rooms, large windows and bay windows, and anyone who wants to feel warmer without turning the heating up.
- Extra benefits: in summer it also helps keep a sunny room cooler.
- Good to know: thermal lined curtains are the heaviest option, so make sure your pole or track is sturdy.
Quick Comparison
| Standard (Unlined) | Blackout | Thermal Blackout | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocks light | No, filters it | Yes | Yes |
| Warmth | Low | Good | Best |
| Weight and drape | Light and airy | Fuller | Heaviest, fullest |
| Lining colour from outside | Reverse of the print | Beige or black | Navy |
| Ideal rooms | Kitchen, dining, conservatory | Bedroom, nursery, media room | Living room, bedroom, cold or large windows |
Which Lining Colour Should I Choose?
The lining colour is what passers by see, and what shows at the edges when the curtains are open.
- Beige blackout is the most neutral from outside and blends with most window frames and brickwork.
- Black blackout suits dark window frames and dark, dramatic prints.
- Navy thermal looks smart from the street and works especially well with blue, green and darker prints.
What About Interlining?
Interlining is a thick, soft layer, traditionally used in hand sewn curtains, placed between the face fabric and the lining. We do not offer interlining. For warmth, our thermal blackout lining is the practical alternative: it adds insulation without the extra bulk, cost and dry clean only care that interlined curtains usually need.
Popular Curtains, Available in All Three Linings
Retro 70s Geometric Curtains
Nordic Pine Tree Curtains
Rust and Black Boho Curtains
Watercolour Cherry Blossom Curtains
Shop blackout curtains or thermal curtains. Every design comes unlined, blackout or thermal blackout, as a single panel or a pair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which lining is best for a bedroom?
Blackout lining for darkness, or thermal blackout if the room is also cold. Both block light; thermal adds insulation.
Will blackout curtains make my room completely dark?
The fabric itself blocks light, but light can still come in around the edges and over the top. Choose curtains wider and longer than the window and mount the pole above the frame for the best result.
Is thermal lining also blackout?
Yes. Our thermal lining is a thermal blackout lining, so you get light blocking and insulation together.
Are unlined curtains see through?
They filter light and give privacy by day, but shapes and lights can be seen through them at night when the room is lit. Choose a lined option for night time privacy.
What colour is the lining?
Blackout lining comes in beige or black. Thermal blackout lining is navy.
Can I add lining later?
Our curtains are made to order with the lining you choose, so decide on the lining when you order.
Do lined curtains need a stronger pole?
Lined curtains are heavier, and thermal lined curtains are the heaviest. A sturdy pole or track with brackets fixed firmly into the wall is recommended, especially for wide windows.
Do you offer interlining?
No. Our thermal blackout lining is the warmer option we offer, without the bulk and dry cleaning that interlining usually needs.
Can I wash lined curtains?
Always check the care label first. In general, a cool, gentle cycle and drying on the pole works best. See our care guide for step by step advice.