Best Fabrics for your new Curtains

What is the best fabric for my curtains?

Looking for new curtains? But not sure on which fabric is best to suit your home? Do not worry, we have got you sorted! We will be discussing on the different types of fabrics there is for curtains, how you can pair them with other types of fabrics and ensure that you know exactly what to go for.

It takes a lot of care and consideration when deciding on the curtain fabric, it is a costly buy whether you are making it yourself or getting it made. It is a decision that needs to be taken with thought and deliberation.

Even if you have all the measurements noted down and found that particular fabric you always had in mind, you should not buy it straight away. This is because you need to see the fabric in the background of your home. Our advice would be to collect a small piece of the fabric and take it home and see if it really matches the rest of the room and decorations.

Fabric is an essential part of choosing curtains, since the material will dictate how well your curtains function and hold up over time. The texture of the fabric, transparency, the way it falls and gathers are all important considerations when choosing the best fabric for the curtains for your home. 

Picking out the perfect curtains for a particular room is often a matter of compromise. Unless you have an unlimited budget, you are likely going to have to consider a price, as well as the thickness, weight, ease of cleaning and other practical issues that many occur.

Curtains can be made of a number of different materials, such as, wool, linen, cotton, silk, nylon and polyester. Synthetic fabrics such as nylon or polyester tend to be more affordable, while natural fabrics are significantly more expensive.

There are many different curtain material types:

Polyester curtains

Polyester is a common fabric for curtains, this is because they are durable, sturdy and affordable. Polyester curtains are quite easy to take care for and to resist wrinkling, shrinking and stretching. Polyester curtains are perfect for first-timers because they are low maintenance. If you are moving into your first home, then polyester curtains are a really good option to go for.

This type of fabric is excellent for bedrooms or living rooms. However, they should be avoided to be fitted in your kitchen, as the material is flammable, absorbs odours easily and limits the air circulation.

Linen curtains

Linen fabric provides a tailored look, making curtains of this fabric ideal for a casual dining area, airy bedroom, or a contemporary living room. Linen curtains drape nicely and the sheer fabric doesn’t block the sun, which allows the natural light to fill your living space.

Linen curtains are mainly dry clean only, and they should be hung immediately to avoid any wrinkling. This curtain will bring a breath of fresh air in your home.

The weight of linen varies from lightweight to heavy weight, but is usually always prone to creasing. Linen fabrics often have a noticeable slubs that are a natural occurrence and add to the character of the linen.

Cotton curtains

Curtains made of cotton or a cotton blend offer a crisp, clean feel that suits traditional or modern decorating styles. Cotton curtains also drape nicely which makes them a natural fit for formal dining rooms.

If you are looking to block sunlight in bright areas in the house or to provide privacy then cotton curtains are the ones to choose with a tight weave. However, if you prefer for your room to have a light, airy feel, then a sheer cotton curtain is good option.

They also tend to be lighter in weight than others and so should always be lined when using for curtains or blinds. Lining will not only help the curtains hang better but will ensure they last longer as it protects the fabric from sun damage. If this becomes a big concern for you, then you could always use a blackout lining as it is thicker and will protect your curtain material against sun damage more effectively.

Silk curtains

Silk curtains are heavier than other types of curtains, they drape well and offer a romantic look that is ideal for bedrooms or formal dining rooms. Also, to keep in mind is that silk is dry clean only, which means it is more time consuming. If you are thinking of getting silk curtains and to hang them in rooms that receive a lot of natural light, then you should protect them by using window shades or lighter-coloured panels for lining, this is because silk is very susceptible to sun damage.

Velvet curtains

Velvet is a heavy material that helps to keep out the cold, so if you have drafty windows this material is an ideal insulator. Due to their thickness, velvet curtains provide extra privacy and help to block sounds and light.

Velvet curtains drape well, and they also offer a polished look that dresses up formal dining rooms, traditionally styled living rooms or regal master bedrooms. As this fabric is thicker, bear in mind that it will not stack back as small as other thinner fabrics, so if space is an issue then a lighter weight fabric is a better option.

Lace curtains

Lace is a very sheer fabric, so curtains made from this material tend to diffuse natural light and offer a more open and airy space. Using lace curtains adds a romantic touch to your traditionally styled dining room or even hanging them over French doors to provide some privacy without blocking your source of sunlight.

Lace curtains are usually available in neutral shades, so they are easy to coordinate with any colour scheme in your room.

Upholstery fabric

Wool is often thought as an upholstery fabric, but is ideal for both curtains and upholstery. The popularity of wool has increased rapidly over the last decade as it’s a renewable, natural fabric.

They are great creating a warm and inviting look. The thermal properties that can be found in wool ensure the curtains are great for insulation and if the material is 100% wool then it is inherently fire retardant so can be used for contract jobs. Whether it is a modern home or a traditional manor, wool creates beautiful curtains and roman blinds.

Acrylic

With a similar texture to wool, acrylic fabric is lightweight that drapes beautifully and provides good insulation. Acrylic curtains attract and disperse moisture effortlessly, they are also hypoallergenic and good resistors to mould and mildew.

Voile

Voile material is a crisp, open weave fabric that is best utilised for sheers. It gathers and drapes wonderfully, creating a light, airy ambience while maintaining a high level of privacy.

It may all seem very over-whelming to decide the right material, colour, type of fabrics, so here is a few tips from us to help you on your final decision; hold a fabric sample that you liked up to a window and see how the fabric filters the light, you should also consider the mood of the room you are going for as this will influence the fabric type you go for. Once you have decided on the type of fabric you want, you can now choose the colour and patterns you would like. Plain fabrics can be dressed up with decorative rods, also think about pattern repeat – if you choose a large pattern make sure it is for a large window for a good effect.

You can order samples from our online shop for curtain fabrics today. If you are looking for unique fabrics located and printed in the UK, custom-made curtains or matching interior items visit www.inspireinterior.co.uk for a variety of goods, quality fabrics and curtains available for online purchase, and much more! If you’ve been frustrated by mismatched swatches that aren’t true to the final product or the fabric colours you saw online, browse our collection of upholstery and fabric options. We use reliable, UK-based suppliers that deliver on time and our dedicated customer service line is here to assist you with your choice. Get the fabrics you dream of at Inspire Interior.