Fabric for Curtains

When choosing window treatments for your home, one of the most important aspects to consider is the fabric. The type of fabric affects how curtains hang and drape, as well as the texture, coverage, durability, and ease of laundering. Check out the following curtain fabrics so you can decide which window treatments best match your decor and needs.

Curtain Material Types

Polyester Curtains

Polyester is a common fabric for curtains, as it is durable, sturdy, and affordable. Polyester curtains are easy to care for and resist wrinkling, shrinking, and stretching. Because polyester curtains are so low maintenance, they’re perfect for curtain first-timers. If you’re moving into your first home, polyester is a great option. This fabric is perfect for bedroom or living room curtains.

Linen Curtains

Linen tends to be a more billowy fabric that still provides a tailored look, making curtains constructed of this material perfect for a casual dining area, airy bedroom, or contemporary living room. Linen drapes nicely, and the sheer fabric doesn’t block the sun, which allows for natural light to fill your living space. Linen curtains are typically dry clean only, and they should be hung immediately to avoid wrinkling.

Cotton Curtains

Curtains made of cotton or a cotton blend are versatile style options, as they offer a crisp, clean feel that suits traditional or modern decorating styles. Cotton curtains drape well, making them a natural fit for formal dining rooms. If you’re looking to block sunlight in a bright bedroom or provide privacy in your living room, choose cotton curtains with a tight weave, or opt for a lined cotton panel.

Silk Curtains

Silk curtains are heavier than curtains made from other materials and drape well, offering a romantic look that’s ideal for bedrooms or formal dining rooms. Keep in mind that silk is dry clean only, which makes washing these types of curtains more time consuming. If you’re hanging silk curtains in rooms that receive a lot of natural light, protect your investment by using window shades or lighter-colored panels for lining, as silk is very susceptible to sun damage.

Velvet Curtains

Velvet is a heavy fabric that keeps out the cold, making these window treatments ideal insulators for homes with drafty windows. Thanks to their thickness, velvet curtains provide extra privacy and help to block sounds and light. Velvet curtains tend to be high-maintenance, but they drape well, so this style offers a polished look that dresses up formal dining rooms, traditionally styled living rooms, or regal master bedrooms.

Lace Curtains

Lace is a very sheer fabric, so curtains made from this material tend to diffuse natural light and offer an open, airy feel. Use lace curtains to add a romantic touch to your traditionally styled dining room, or hang them over French doors to provide some privacy without totally blocking your source of outdoor sunlight. Lace curtains are typically available in neutral shades, such as white, ivory, and ecru, so they’re easy to coordinate with any color scheme in your room.