If you live in Brisbane, you know the feeling (and your curtains probably do too!). One minute it’s a lovely spring morning, and the next your living room feels like a glasshouse by 3pm.
We’ve all done it: shut the doors, crank up the air con and hope for the best. But a lot of that heat is sneaking in through one place we don’t always think about, and that’s our windows.
The good news? The right curtains and blinds can make a real difference. And they can look beautiful while they’re doing it. So before summer really kicks in, here’s what I’ve learned from years of choosing curtains for Brisbane homes.
Why your windows matter so much
This one surprised me when I first read it. According to the Australian Government’s Your Home guide, up to 87% of a home’s heat gain can come in through the windows.
That’s huge. And here in Queensland, with our big glass sliders, open-plan living and that fierce western sun, our windows are working overtime.
Outside shading like awnings and eaves is the gold standard. But for most of us, especially in apartments or rentals, what we hang on the inside is where we can make the biggest change, and fairly easily too.
Brisbane curtains: my top tips for keeping cool
1. Don’t skip the lining
A pretty fabric on its own won’t do much against the afternoon sun. A blockout or thermal lining is what does the heavy lifting. Go for a light, white-ish backing facing the glass, so more of the heat bounces back out instead of soaking in.
2. Layer it up
This is my favourite trick, because it’s practical and it looks gorgeous. A sheer on its own track softens the glare and keeps your privacy during the day while still letting the light in. Then you’ve got a lined curtain behind it to draw across when the sun’s really beating down. You get a soft, airy look in the morning and a cool, calm room in the arvo.
3. Go big (and go high)
Curtains that stop at the window frame always look a bit short-changed. Take them right up to the ceiling and down to the floor, and let them extend past the frame on each side. Your room will look taller and bigger, and the window is properly covered, so less heat creeps in around the edges.
It’s the same rule I use for rugs: bigger is nearly always better. There’s more on that in my post on how to choose the right rug.
4. Mind the gaps
Hot air loves a gap. Curtains that sit snugly against the wall, or with a pelmet or a ceiling-mounted track over the top, trap a layer of still air against the window. That little pocket of air helps keep the heat on the glass side and out of your room.
5. Put your best curtains where the Brisbane sun hits
In Brisbane, it’s usually the west and north-facing windows doing the damage, so that’s where your best curtains or blinds should go first. Then get into the habit of closing them before the afternoon sun hits, not after the room is already hot.
6. Blinds and shutters are great too
Curtains aren’t the only answer. A roller blind tucked behind your curtains gives you an extra layer. Sunscreen blinds cut glare while you can still see the view. Plantation shutters let you angle the light exactly where you want it, and they suit that relaxed Queensland look beautifully.
Curtains in Brisbane: how Shane and I do it
Window furnishings are a real team effort at Style Counsel. My husband Shane looks after the technical side: the check-measures, the shutters and making sure everything is fitted properly. I look after the fun part, which is the fabrics, colours and the overall look, so your windows suit your home and the way you live in it.
Because we’ve built up our trade and supplier network over many years, we can source quality fabrics and finishes you won’t always find on the high street.
You can see everything we offer on my Interior Styling Services page.
So if you’ve got a room that turns into a sauna every afternoon, or curtains that have seen better days, now’s the perfect time to sort it out before summer properly arrives. Get in touch and let’s have a chat about your windows.
Stay cool!
Big Al x
