Choosing Curtain Fabric

Curtain fabric comes in a wide range of textures, colors, and patterns. This is why it's important to consult your designer when choosing the curtains for your home and design style. The type of curtains you choose will depend on their weight, texture, light blocking or exposing qualities, durability, and sun-fade resistance.

A curtain is a window treatment that covers the lower half of the window to block out light and provide privacy for the interior of the room. They're usually paired with a valance that goes across the top of the window.

There are many different fabrics that can be used for curtains, but each fabric has a unique characteristic that should be considered when selecting your fabric. The popular choices are cotton, polyester, and silk.

The fabrics for curtains should be durable, breathable, and easy to clean. Some types of fabric also have insulating properties that can help to keep the temperature comfortable in your space.

Cotton is a cost-effective fabric that can be easily cleaned, and it works well in filtering light. This material is often used to make sheer curtains, but it's also available in a lined version for added insulation and protection from sunlight.

Another type of curtain fabric is rayon, which is a synthetic fiber that can mimic silk and other natural-fiber fabrics. Rayon is affordable and versatile, making it a great choice for any space in your home.

If you're looking for a fabric that is soft to the touch and elegantly drapes on the window, then you should consider choosing linen. Linen is a natural fiber that is often blended with synthetic fibers to improve its properties.

While linen is a great option for any space in your home, it can be difficult to find the right fabric for the window treatments you're designing. If you're not sure how to choose the linen for your curtains, you can always consult with an experienced designer who can guide you through the process.

Other fabrics that can be used for curtains are lace, velvet, brocade, and jacquard. Each of these fabrics is a great choice for certain rooms, but they all have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Lace is a delicate fabric that requires special care when cleaning. The delicate weave makes it prone to snagging and fraying, so it's to hand-wash or use a washing machine on a gentle cycle.

Velvet is another traditional fabric that has been in use since the 1500s. It is woven on a jacquard loom, and features colorful threads that create a pattern that appears to be raised. The patterns are usually backed to prevent fraying, and they're suitable for formal or semi-formal decor.

Brocade is a heavier fabric woven on a jacquard-type loom and is a great choice for formal or semi-formal rooms. It features a variety of intricate designs that can be matched with matching finials and fluted wooden poles.

The common fabric that is used for curtains is polyester. This material is durable, affordable, and resistant to mold and mildew. It is also a good choice for those who have pets because it is hypoallergenic and doesn't attract allergens or bacteria.