What is the difference between lining and interlining?

A lining is the fabric attached to the back of a curtain or Roman blind. Interlining is an additional soft layer positioned between the decorative face fabric and the rear lining. It adds extra body, insulation and fullness to the finished product.

Can Roman blinds have interlining?

Roman blinds are more commonly made with a bonded lining rather than a separate loose interlining. The bonded layer adds extra body, softness and insulation while remaining suitable for the way a Roman blind folds and operates.

Does interlining make curtains heavier?

Yes. Interlining adds another layer of fabric, so the finished curtain normally feels heavier and more substantial. This extra weight can also help curtains form fuller, softer folds.

Should I choose white or cream lining?

The choice is mainly aesthetic. White creates a cleaner, cooler appearance, while cream or ivory can work particularly well with warmer or more traditional fabrics. The lining colour is normally chosen to complement the face fabric.

Can lining help protect the face fabric?

Yes. Lining creates an additional layer between the decorative fabric and the window, helping to reduce direct exposure to sunlight and supporting the face fabric over time.

Which lining is best for keeping a room warmer?

For improved thermal comfort, thicker and more layered options are usually the most useful. Interlined curtains and bonded Roman blind linings add an extra soft layer at the window, which can help slow heat loss and reduce the cold feeling around glazing.

Do lined curtains help keep heat in?

Yes. Curtains with a suitable lining can provide an additional barrier between the room and the window. This can help slow heat loss, particularly when the curtains extend beyond the edges of the glazing and are closed as temperatures fall.

Do Roman blinds help with insulation?

Yes. A Roman blind creates another layer between the room and the window, and a bonded lining can add further insulation. The overall benefit depends on the fabric, lining, fit and coverage.

Can lining help reduce draughts?

Lined curtains and blinds can help reduce the movement of cold air around the window area, which can make the room feel more comfortable. They will not repair faulty window seals or eliminate a structural draught.

Is interlining worth having for a cold room?

It can be. Interlining adds an extra soft layer to curtains, creating more thickness and helping trap still air around the window. This can be particularly useful in bedrooms, older properties and rooms with larger or colder windows.

Can lining help keep heat out in summer as well?

Yes. Additional layers can help reduce heat transfer in both directions. Closing lined curtains or blinds during strong sunlight can help reduce some solar heat entering the room.

When should I close curtains or Roman blinds to help retain warmth?

During colder weather, it is usually helpful to close them as temperatures fall in the evening. If there is useful sunlight during the day, opening them can allow solar warmth into the room before closing them again later.

Can Roman blinds and curtains be combined for better insulation?

Yes. Combining a Roman blind with curtains creates two separate fabric layers at the window, which can increase the amount of still air trapped around the glazing and improve comfort.

Do blackout linings make a room completely dark?

Not necessarily. Blackout or blockout lining can significantly reduce light passing through the fabric, but some light may still enter around the edges of the curtain or blind.

Why can I still see small points of light through a Roman blind with blackout lining?

Roman blinds require stitching as part of their construction. Tiny needle holes can sometimes allow small points of light through, often referred to as pinhole light.

Can pinhole light be reduced?

It can sometimes be reduced by different construction methods, such as stab stitching, or by using a bonded lining with more material behind the stitch line. However, it is not realistic to promise that every pinprick of light can be eliminated completely.

Why does light still come around the edges of a Roman blind?

Roman blinds sit slightly forward from the wall or window opening so that the folds can operate properly. This can allow some light to enter around the sides and bottom, even when the blind uses a room-darkening lining.

Is room darkening the same as blackout?

Not always. A blackout or blockout lining can prevent much of the light passing through the fabric itself, while the finished installation may still allow some light around the edges or through stitching. For that reason, room darkening is often a more accurate description of the finished result.

Which rooms benefit most from room-darkening linings?

Bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms often benefit most, particularly where customers want to reduce early morning light, street lighting or general brightness.

Can lined curtains help reduce outside noise?

Can lined curtains help reduce outside noise? They can help soften some outside noise. Additional layers of fabric can absorb some sound and make the room feel quieter, although curtains are not a substitute for specialist acoustic treatment.

Does interlining help reduce sound?

Interlining adds another soft, fibrous layer to a curtain, which can help absorb some sound and reduce the amount of noise that feels noticeable in the room.

Are interlined curtains soundproof?

No. Interlined curtains can help soften and absorb some sound, but they should not be described as soundproof. Their main benefits remain insulation, fullness and comfort.

Can Roman blinds help with noise reduction?

A lined or bonded Roman blind can provide some additional soft material at the window and may help reduce the perception of outside noise slightly. The effect is generally more modest than with heavier, layered curtains.

Which is better for reducing sound: curtains or Roman blinds?

Curtains generally provide more fabric coverage and can use interlining, so they are usually the stronger option where sound absorption is an important consideration. Roman blinds can still contribute some benefit, particularly when combined with curtains.

Can combining curtains and Roman blinds help with noise as well as insulation?

Yes. Using both creates multiple fabric layers at the window. This can help with thermal comfort and may also provide some additional sound absorption.

What Is the Best Lining for Curtains and Roman Blinds?

The right lining can make a significant difference to how curtains and Roman blinds look, feel and perform.

For many customers, the main reasons for choosing an upgraded lining are to improve insulation, reduce light entering the room, soften outside noise and give curtains or Roman blinds a fuller, more substantial finish.

As temperatures fall, lining becomes particularly important because curtains and Roman blinds can provide an additional layer between the room and the glazing, helping to slow heat loss and reduce the feeling of cold around windows.

There is no single lining that is best for every room. The most suitable choice depends on what you want to achieve, the fabric you have selected and whether the finished product is a curtain or a Roman blind.

Why Does Lining Matter?

Lining is much more than simply the fabric on the back of a curtain or Roman blind. It can influence the comfort of the room, the amount of light entering through the fabric, the way the finished product hangs and how much protection the face fabric receives.

Insulation – additional fabric layers can help slow heat loss through the window area and improve comfort during colder weather.
Room darkening – suitable linings can significantly reduce light passing through the fabric.
Sound reduction – thicker, softer layers can help absorb some sound and soften noise.
Appearance – lining can add body, improve drape and help Roman blinds form fuller folds.
Fabric protection – lining creates an additional layer between the decorative fabric and the window.

The best choice normally comes down to which of these features matters most in the room.

Which Lining Is Best for Insulation?

If keeping a room warmer is the priority, thicker and more layered lining constructions are usually the most useful.

The principle is straightforward: adding layers of fabric creates additional still-air spaces around the window. This can help slow the movement of heat through the window area and reduce the cold feeling often experienced near glazing during colder weather.

For Roman blinds, bonded linings can add a soft fibrous layer behind the face fabric, creating extra body and an additional insulating layer.

For curtains, a separate interlining can be positioned between the decorative face fabric and the rear lining. This creates a thicker, more substantial curtain and can provide additional thermal benefit.

These products do not generate heat and they do not replace good glazing or heating. Their role is to help reduce heat loss and improve comfort by adding another layer at the window.

What Is Interlining?

Interlining is a soft, fibrous layer used to add warmth, body and structure to curtains.

It sits between the decorative face fabric and the rear lining, creating a three-layer construction:

Face fabric – the decorative fabric seen from inside the room.
Interlining – the soft insulating layer in the middle.
Rear lining – the lining that finishes and protects the back of the curtain.

Interlining has a soft, almost wool-like feel and adds thickness without making the curtain feel rigid. This extra layer can help improve thermal comfort while also giving the curtain a fuller, more luxurious appearance.

What Is Bonded Lining for Roman Blinds?

Roman blinds use a different construction from curtains, so instead of a separate loose interlining layer, an upgraded bonded lining can be used.

Bonded lining combines the rear lining with a soft fibrous layer, giving the Roman blind extra thickness, structure and insulation.

More body – the blind feels more substantial and the folds can appear fuller and softer.
Improved insulation – the additional fibrous layer can help trap still air at the window.
Better fabric support – particularly useful with lighter or softer face fabrics that benefit from extra structure.

Bonded lining can be chosen where warmth and appearance are important, and it can also be combined with room-darkening properties where greater light control is required.

Explore Interlined Roman Blinds

Room Darkening and Blackout Linings

Where reducing light is a priority, a room-darkening or blockout lining can significantly reduce the amount of light passing directly through the fabric.

This can be especially useful in bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms and other spaces where stronger light control is desirable.

It is important, however, to distinguish between a blackout lining material and a completely blackout finished installation.

Curtains and Roman blinds are stitched products, and small needle holes can sometimes allow tiny points of light through. Roman blinds can be particularly prone to this because stitching is required as part of their construction.

Light can also enter around the edges of a Roman blind or curtain, particularly where the product sits slightly forward from the wall or window opening.

For that reason, we prefer to describe the finished result as room darkening rather than promise complete blackout.

What Is Pinhole Light?

Pinhole light is the small point of light that can sometimes be seen where stitching passes through a room-darkening or blockout lining.

Because the surrounding lining is very effective at reducing light, these tiny stitch holes can become more noticeable.

This is a normal characteristic of stitched curtains and Roman blinds rather than a manufacturing fault.

Bonded linings can sometimes make these pinpricks less noticeable because there is more material behind the stitch line, but they cannot remove them completely.

For some Roman blinds, stab stitching may be available at additional cost to help reduce visible pinhole light, although it still cannot guarantee a completely light-free finish.

Can Lining Help Reduce Noise?

Additional fabric layers can also help soften some sound.

Thicker curtains, interlined curtains and bonded Roman blinds contain more soft material than an unlined product, and this can help absorb some sound within the room and slightly reduce the amount of outside noise that feels noticeable.

This can be useful in bedrooms, living rooms and homes near roads or other sources of background noise.

However, lined curtains and Roman blinds should not be described as soundproofing. They can contribute to a quieter and more comfortable room, but they are not a substitute for specialist acoustic products.

How Lining Changes the Appearance of Curtains and Roman Blinds

Lining can make just as much difference to appearance as it does to performance.

Interlining and bonded lining add body and structure to the finished product, which can be particularly useful with softer or lighter-weight decorative fabrics.

For curtains, the additional layer helps create fuller, rounder folds and a more substantial drape.

For Roman blinds, the extra body can make the folds appear softer and more defined rather than flat or limp.

This is one of the reasons lining is often selected not only for insulation or light control, but also to create a more luxurious soft-furnishing finish.

Should You Choose White or Cream Lining?

Linings are commonly available in white and cream or ivory tones.

The choice is mainly aesthetic and will depend on the face fabric, the room and how the back of the curtain or blind will be seen from outside.

White lining – gives a clean, neutral appearance and often works well with cooler or lighter fabrics.
Cream or ivory lining – provides a warmer tone and can work particularly well with traditional, neutral or warmer-coloured fabrics.

In most cases, the lining colour is chosen to complement the face fabric and overall finish rather than for performance reasons.

Satin Lining and Standard Lining

Different manufacturers offer different lining qualities, but the main distinction is usually between a standard lining and a more premium satin-style lining.

Satin lining has a smoother, more refined finish and is often preferred for made-to-measure curtains and Roman blinds where appearance and quality are important.

Standard lining can still provide protection and a neat finish, but where customers are investing in bespoke soft furnishings, a higher-quality satin lining is often the more appropriate starting point.

The lining can then be upgraded further where additional insulation, room darkening or extra body is required.

Do All Curtains and Roman Blinds Need Lining?

Not every soft furnishing needs to be lined.

Voiles and other intentionally sheer fabrics are normally left unlined because their purpose is to allow light through and maintain a lighter, semi-transparent appearance.

For most made-to-measure curtains and Roman blinds, however, lining improves the finished appearance and can add useful benefits such as fabric protection, light control and thermal comfort.

The important point is to choose the lining according to the purpose of the room rather than automatically selecting the same construction for every window.

How Lining Changes the Look and Feel of Curtains and Roman Blinds

The choice of lining does more than change the performance of a curtain or Roman blind. It can also have a noticeable effect on how the finished product looks and feels.

Adding a bonded lining or interlining gives the fabric more body and structure. This can be particularly useful with softer or lighter-weight face fabrics that may otherwise hang quite flat.

Fuller folds – additional layers help curtains form softer, more rounded folds.
More defined Roman blind pleats – extra body can make the folds appear fuller and more substantial.
A softer, more luxurious feel – the finished product feels thicker and more substantial at the window.
Better support for lighter fabrics – suitable linings can help softer face fabrics hold their shape more effectively.

This is why lining should be considered as part of the overall design of a made-to-measure curtain or Roman blind, rather than simply something added to the back.

Which Lining Should You Choose?

The right lining depends on what you want the curtain or Roman blind to achieve.

For better insulation – consider interlined curtains or bonded Roman blind linings that add an extra soft insulating layer.
For stronger room darkening – choose a room-darkening or blockout lining, while remembering that stitching and edge gaps can still allow some light through.
For a fuller, more luxurious appearance – interlining or bonded lining can add body and improve the way the fabric hangs.
For some additional sound absorption – thicker, layered constructions can help soften noise.
For maximum natural light – a lighter lining, or no lining at all for suitable voile fabrics, may be more appropriate.

There is rarely one lining that is best for every room. A bedroom may prioritise room darkening and insulation, while a living room may benefit more from warmth, fabric protection and a softer, fuller appearance.

Using Curtains and Roman Blinds to Help Keep a Room Warmer

How you use curtains and Roman blinds can also make a difference to comfort.

During colder weather, closing them as temperatures fall in the evening can help create an additional insulating layer between the room and the glazing.

Where there is useful sunlight during the day, opening the curtains or blind can allow solar warmth into the room. Closing them again before temperatures drop can then help retain more of that warmth indoors.

For particularly cold windows, combining a Roman blind with curtains can provide two separate fabric layers and increase the amount of still air trapped around the window.

This type of layering can be especially useful in bedrooms, older properties, bay windows and rooms with larger areas of glazing.

Can Curtains and Roman Blinds Be Layered with Other Blinds?

Yes. Curtains and Roman blinds can be combined with other window coverings when one product alone does not provide all the features required.

Layering creates additional fabric and air spaces at the window and allows different products to perform different jobs. This can be particularly useful where insulation, room darkening or sound reduction are priorities.

For greater insulation – combining curtains with a Roman blind or another close-fitting blind can create additional layers between the room and the glazing.
For improved room darkening – curtains or a Roman blind can be combined with a blackout cellular or honeycomb blind to reduce more light than either product may achieve alone.
For additional sound reduction – multiple soft furnishing layers can provide more material to absorb and soften some sound.
For flexible privacy and light control – one product can provide daytime privacy or light control while the curtain or Roman blind provides softness, warmth and additional coverage when required.

Layering can therefore be useful when a room has several requirements at the same time. Rather than expecting one product to solve every problem, we can help combine suitable window coverings to achieve the right balance of comfort, light control, privacy and appearance.

Explore Curtains For Layering

Curtains or Roman Blinds: Which Is Better for Insulation?

Both curtains and Roman blinds can help improve comfort at a window, but they work in slightly different ways.

Interlined curtains can provide a substantial amount of fabric coverage and can be particularly effective where they extend beyond the edges of the window.

Roman blinds sit more closely to the window and can provide a useful insulating layer, particularly when fitted with bonded lining.

In some rooms, combining the two can provide an even more effective solution, with the Roman blind controlling light and privacy while the curtains add another layer of insulation and softness.

The best option depends on the window, the available space and the overall look you want to achieve.

Choosing the Right Lining for Your Home

Choosing a lining is about balancing comfort, light control and appearance.

If insulation is your main concern, an interlined curtain or bonded Roman blind can provide an additional layer at the window and help make the room feel more comfortable as temperatures fall.

If room darkening is more important, a blockout or room-darkening lining may be the better choice, while still allowing for the normal limitations of stitched soft furnishings.

For customers who want a softer, fuller and more luxurious finish, interlining and bonded lining can also make a noticeable difference to the way curtains and Roman blinds hang.

Our team can help you compare the options and recommend the most suitable lining for your chosen fabric, window and room.

Not Sure Which Lining Is Right for You?

If you are unsure which lining will work best for your curtains or Roman blinds, visiting one of our showrooms can make the decision much easier.

You can see and feel the fabrics and lining options in person, compare the differences in thickness, finish and structure, and talk through what matters most to you.

Compare fabrics and linings – see the different options together rather than choosing from descriptions alone.
Discuss your priorities – whether you are focused on insulation, room darkening, sound reduction or appearance.
Get practical advice – we can explain which lining options are most suitable for your chosen fabric, window and room.

We’ll help you compare the available options and recommend the most suitable solution for your home.

Visit Our Local Showrooms

Ready to Get Started?

Choose how you’d like to begin — our team is here to help in whatever way suits you best.

Book a Home Consultation

If you’d prefer advice in your own home, selected local areas can now book a home consultation online. Receive tailored advice, discuss suitable options and explore blinds, shutters, curtains and motorisation solutions with an experienced adviser.

Contact Us To Book a Home Consultation »

Call or Email Us

If you’d prefer to speak to us directly or send an enquiry by email, our team is happy to help.

📞 Call us: 01483 608408
📧 Email: sales@blindsandshutter.co.uk

Visit One of Our Showrooms

See blinds and shutters in person, compare styles and finishes, try motorised options, and get practical advice from our team.

Find Your Nearest Showroom »

Book a Video Consultation (Zoom)

Ideal if you’re short on time or would prefer to talk things through from home with expert guidance.

Book a Video Consultation »

Speak to our team today and we’ll help you find the right solution for your home.

Request A Quick Callback

Frequently Asked Questions

No results!

What is the difference between lining and interlining?
A lining is the fabric attached to the back of a curtain or Roman blind. Interlining is an additional soft layer positioned between the decorative face fabric and the rear lining. It adds extra body, insulation and fullness to the finished product.
Can Roman blinds have interlining?
Roman blinds are more commonly made with a bonded lining rather than a separate loose interlining. The bonded layer adds extra body, softness and insulation while remaining suitable for the way a Roman blind folds and operates.
Do all curtains and Roman blinds need lining?
No. Some fabrics, particularly voiles and other sheer materials, are intentionally left unlined so that light can pass through them. For most made-to-measure curtains and Roman blinds, however, lining improves appearance, protection and performance.
What is bonded lining?
Bonded lining combines a normal lining with a soft fibrous layer. This gives a Roman blind more body and structure while also creating an additional insulating layer at the window.
Does interlining make curtains heavier?
Yes. Interlining adds another layer of fabric, so the finished curtain normally feels heavier and more substantial. This extra weight can also help curtains form fuller, softer folds.
Should I choose white or cream lining?
The choice is mainly aesthetic. White creates a cleaner, cooler appearance, while cream or ivory can work particularly well with warmer or more traditional fabrics. The lining colour is normally chosen to complement the face fabric.
Can lining help protect the face fabric?
Yes. Lining creates an additional layer between the decorative fabric and the window, helping to reduce direct exposure to sunlight and supporting the face fabric over time.
Which lining is best for keeping a room warmer?
For improved thermal comfort, thicker and more layered options are usually the most useful. Interlined curtains and bonded Roman blind linings add an extra soft layer at the window, which can help slow heat loss and reduce the cold feeling around glazing.
Do lined curtains help keep heat in?
Yes. Curtains with a suitable lining can provide an additional barrier between the room and the window. This can help slow heat loss, particularly when the curtains extend beyond the edges of the glazing and are closed as temperatures fall.
Do Roman blinds help with insulation?
Yes. A Roman blind creates another layer between the room and the window, and a bonded lining can add further insulation. The overall benefit depends on the fabric, lining, fit and coverage.
Can lining help reduce draughts?
Lined curtains and blinds can help reduce the movement of cold air around the window area, which can make the room feel more comfortable. They will not repair faulty window seals or eliminate a structural draught.
Is interlining worth having for a cold room?
It can be. Interlining adds an extra soft layer to curtains, creating more thickness and helping trap still air around the window. This can be particularly useful in bedrooms, older properties and rooms with larger or colder windows.
Can lining help keep heat out in summer as well?
Yes. Additional layers can help reduce heat transfer in both directions. Closing lined curtains or blinds during strong sunlight can help reduce some solar heat entering the room.
When should I close curtains or Roman blinds to help retain warmth?
During colder weather, it is usually helpful to close them as temperatures fall in the evening. If there is useful sunlight during the day, opening them can allow solar warmth into the room before closing them again later.
Can Roman blinds and curtains be combined for better insulation?
Yes. Combining a Roman blind with curtains creates two separate fabric layers at the window, which can increase the amount of still air trapped around the glazing and improve comfort.
Do blackout linings make a room completely dark?
Not necessarily. Blackout or blockout lining can significantly reduce light passing through the fabric, but some light may still enter around the edges of the curtain or blind.
Why can I still see small points of light through a Roman blind with blackout lining?
Roman blinds require stitching as part of their construction. Tiny needle holes can sometimes allow small points of light through, often referred to as pinhole light.
What is pinhole light?
Pinhole light is the tiny point of light that can sometimes be seen where stitching passes through a room-darkening or blockout lining. It is a normal characteristic of stitched soft furnishings rather than a manufacturing fault.
Can pinhole light be reduced?
It can sometimes be reduced by different construction methods, such as stab stitching, or by using a bonded lining with more material behind the stitch line. However, it is not realistic to promise that every pinprick of light can be eliminated completely.
Why does light still come around the edges of a Roman blind?
Roman blinds sit slightly forward from the wall or window opening so that the folds can operate properly. This can allow some light to enter around the sides and bottom, even when the blind uses a room-darkening lining.
Is room darkening the same as blackout?
Not always. A blackout or blockout lining can prevent much of the light passing through the fabric itself, while the finished installation may still allow some light around the edges or through stitching. For that reason, room darkening is often a more accurate description of the finished result.
Which rooms benefit most from room-darkening linings?
Bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms often benefit most, particularly where customers want to reduce early morning light, street lighting or general brightness.
Can lined curtains help reduce outside noise?
Can lined curtains help reduce outside noise? They can help soften some outside noise. Additional layers of fabric can absorb some sound and make the room feel quieter, although curtains are not a substitute for specialist acoustic treatment.
Does interlining help reduce sound?
Interlining adds another soft, fibrous layer to a curtain, which can help absorb some sound and reduce the amount of noise that feels noticeable in the room.
Are interlined curtains soundproof?
No. Interlined curtains can help soften and absorb some sound, but they should not be described as soundproof. Their main benefits remain insulation, fullness and comfort.
Can Roman blinds help with noise reduction?
A lined or bonded Roman blind can provide some additional soft material at the window and may help reduce the perception of outside noise slightly. The effect is generally more modest than with heavier, layered curtains.
Which is better for reducing sound: curtains or Roman blinds?
Curtains generally provide more fabric coverage and can use interlining, so they are usually the stronger option where sound absorption is an important consideration. Roman blinds can still contribute some benefit, particularly when combined with curtains.
Can combining curtains and Roman blinds help with noise as well as insulation?
Yes. Using both creates multiple fabric layers at the window. This can help with thermal comfort and may also provide some additional sound absorption.

Still have questions? | Contact Us