Best Curtains for West-Facing Windows in Sydney

Why west-facing windows are difficult to manage

The afternoon sun reaches west-facing glass at a lower angle than the midday sun. This makes it harder for ordinary roof eaves to block and allows more direct sunlight to enter the room.

Australian Government passive-design guidance identifies east- and west-facing windows as some of the most difficult to shade effectively. The glass absorbs and transfers heat while sunlight creates glare and gradually fades flooring, furniture and artwork.

In Sydney, the problem often becomes most noticeable from mid-afternoon into the early evening, just when living rooms, kitchens and home offices are being used most.

The best solution: sheer and lined curtains together

For most west-facing Sydney rooms, the most versatile setup is a double track with two curtain layers.

A sheer curtain sits closest to the window. During the day, it diffuses harsh sunlight, reduces glare and provides a degree of privacy without removing the natural light completely.

A lined dimout or blockout curtain sits on the second track. It can remain open when the light is comfortable and be drawn when the afternoon sun becomes too strong.

This combination gives you:

• Soft, filtered daylight earlier in the day
• Better control over afternoon heat and glare
• Privacy after sunset
• Darkness when required
• A softer, more finished appearance than a single heavy curtain

It also means you don't need to choose permanently between a bright room and a protected one.

Should you choose blockout or dimout?

The right outer curtain depends on how the room is used.

Blockout curtains

Blockout curtains are the stronger choice when darkness, privacy or heat control is the priority. They generally work best in bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms, rooms with large areas of exposed western glass, and Western Sydney homes that experience more intense summer heat.

A quality lining also helps protect the decorative face fabric from constant sun exposure.

Dimout curtains

Dimout curtains reduce much of the incoming light without creating complete darkness. They suit living rooms, dining areas, open-plan spaces, and rooms where you want glare control but still prefer a lighter atmosphere.

If you're weighing up the options room by room, our guide to sheer curtains versus blockout curtains explains their different roles in more detail.

Choosing fabric for strong Sydney sunlight

For the sheer layer, linen and linen-blend fabrics work particularly well. They soften bright light while retaining a relaxed texture that suits both contemporary apartments and coastal homes.

For the outer layer, focus on lining, density and durability rather than colour alone. A beautiful face fabric can still perform well when paired with an appropriate dimout or blockout lining.

Performance fabrics are also worth considering in high-use rooms or windows exposed to strong sun every afternoon. They are designed to cope with regular use and prolonged light exposure while maintaining their appearance.

Our guide to the best curtain fabrics for Australian homes provides a closer comparison of linen, cotton, velvet, lined and performance fabrics.

Why curtain fit matters as much as fabric

Even a high-quality blockout fabric will underperform if sunlight and warm air can easily pass around it.

For better coverage, consider:

• A ceiling-mounted track
• Curtains extending beyond both sides of the window
• A full floor-length drop
• Enough fabric fullness to avoid stretched gaps
• A pelmet or concealed track where suitable

Australian passive-design guidance notes that closely fitted curtains and pelmets can improve a window's thermal performance by trapping a layer of still air beside the glass.

This is where made-to-measure curtains offer a practical advantage. The track, fabric width and finished drop can all be designed around the actual window rather than a standard curtain size.

Different solutions for different parts of Sydney

There isn't one curtain specification that suits every Sydney home.

Coastal and Northern Beaches homes

These rooms often need protection from glare while retaining an open, light-filled feel. A linen-blend sheer with a lined dimout curtain provides flexibility without making the space feel too heavy.

Inner-city and Eastern Suburbs apartments

Full-height glass and neighbouring buildings can create both glare and privacy issues. Layered curtains provide daytime screening and complete evening privacy without requiring a change to the building exterior.

This can be particularly useful where an owners corporation limits external awnings or other facade changes.

Western Sydney homes

In hotter inland suburbs, thermal performance often becomes the priority. A fully lined blockout curtain with generous side coverage will generally be more effective than a decorative curtain that only covers the glass itself.

Heritage homes

Terraces, Federation homes and older properties frequently have tall or irregular windows. Custom tracks and carefully measured drops help preserve the proportions of the room while reducing gaps around the curtain.

Start by looking at the room in the afternoon

A west-facing room can look completely different at 4 pm than it does during a morning consultation.

Before choosing fabric, consider:

• When direct sun reaches the glass
• Which parts of the room experience glare
• Whether furniture or flooring is beginning to fade
• How much privacy is needed after dark
• Whether the room needs darkness or simply softer light
• How much space is available for the curtains when open

Seeing fabric samples in the room's actual afternoon light is far more reliable than selecting from a screen or a small swatch under showroom lighting.

Sway's consultants can bring suitable sheer, dimout, blockout and performance fabrics to your home, measure the windows and recommend a track arrangement for the way the room is used. Book a free measure and quote to find the right solution for your west-facing windows.