Fabric options for curtains

Each type has it’s own benefits and best uses based on its weight, texture, light blocking or exposing qualities, durability and sun-fade resistance.

The most common types of curtain fabric are cotton, silk, linen, polyester, velvet, acrylic, rayon, brocade, lace and voile.

Cotton

Cotton is a versatile fabric used to achieve a range of styles. It offers a crisp, clean feel that suits traditional or modern styles. As it can be a very light fabric, cotton curtains do need to be properly lined so they hang and fall as desired. If you’re looking to block sunlight in a bright room, choose cotton with a tight weave or have them well lined.

Silk

If silk doesn’t say ‘luxury’ nothing does. Be warned though, silk is best chosen for its aesthetic appeal than functionality. Silk is a heavy-ish fabric so it drapes well; it looks fabulously romantic in bedrooms or formal dining rooms. But it’s not the most practical.

Silk is dry clean only, and very susceptible to sun damage. If the room has a lot of natural light you may want to protect them by using a roller blind underneath or a lighter coloured panel for lining. You could opt for a silk-look polyester fabric for more durability.

Polyester

This is a very common choice. Polyester is durable, affordable, easy to care for, and doesn’t really wrinkle, stretch or shrink. Choose polyester for bedroom and living areas, but avoid it in the kitchen as it’s flammable, doesn’t allow good airflow and absorbs odours.

Velvet

Made of either natural or synthetic fibres, if you want glamour and richness in a room, pick velvet. It’s thick and heavy making it great for blocking out cold air, light and sound. And it drapes well, giving rooms a regal look.

Rayon

Rayon can be woven with natural fibres to achieve a variety of textures. It’s soft, strong and breathable.

Brocade

This is an elaborately woven fabric that can be used to create a sophisticated tone.

Lace

Lace curtains are very traditional and romantic, best used to provide privacy and diffuse natural light. Most often they come in neutral shades, easily coordinated with other colours in the room. Check to see if they’re dry clean only, or a little more sturdy and can handle a machine wash.

Don’t worry if this seems a bit overwhelming right now. Our in-home style consultants know the different types of fabrics really well and can help you make the best decision to achieve style and functionality in the different rooms of your home.

If the sample is big enough, pleat it at the top and see how it drapes. Consider the mood of the room; is it formal, casual, comfortable, quiet? This will influence the fabric type you go for. Once you’ve decided on the type of fabric, now you can choose the colour and pattern. Maybe go for a darker colour for high traffic areas so as it doesn’t get too noticeably dirty.

Rooms that get a lot of light probably need a lighter colour as a darker one will fade. Plain fabrics can be dressed up with decorative rods. And think about pattern repeat; if you choose a large pattern, ensure it’s for a large window for good effect.