The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Curtains

Image of showcasing homemade curtains. Perfect curtain making fabric

Curtains instantly elevate the visual charm of any living space whilst promoting privacy and comfort and aiding restful sleep by blocking light intrusion.  To help you choose the right curtain fabric for your interiors, we’ve created a helpful guide outlining the top tips on choosing the right fabric for your curtains. 

Why choose curtains and not rollers or Venetian blinds?

Curtains add an inviting look to any room. Available in many different fabrics, patterns, sizes and colours, they elevate your space, allowing you to inject elements of your personality into a room. 

Curtains can also provide varying levels of light control depending on the fabric and lining used. Heavier, lined curtains can block out a significant amount of light when closed and can provide some level of insulation. 

Easy to install and maintain, versatile curtains are a great addition to any room and can be used to create a unique and stylish look that blinds and rollers cannot offer.

Fabric types and their advantages

When it comes to choosing the perfect fabric for your curtains, you will find lots of options available, including:

Cotton

This is the most common and most popular fabric for curtains due to its versatility, practicality and accessibility. Lightweight and easy to clean, cotton such as cotton sateen is beautiful and also super practical. 

However, as a general rule of thumb, you should always avoid using cotton for windows which are near the fireplace or kitchen as this material is flammable and is known to absorb odour easily. 

Crushed Velvet 

For a luxurious feel, indulge in incredibly soft velvet with crushed velvet curtains Crushed velvet is a knitted fabric with a short, dense pile and a distinctive texture and shiny patterned appearance. With crushed velvet curtains, you can add an opulent and sophisticated touch to any room.

Super Velvet 

Super velvet is a luxurious material known for its plushness and opulent feel that can elevate the aesthetics of a room. 100% polyester, it’s thicker and often more tightly woven, and its lavishness and versatility make it an exceptional choice for elevating your interiors.

Hessian 

Hessian is 100% biodegradable material that is long-lasting and durable with a woven texture. Boasting a wonderful texture, linen curtains are perfect for blocking the harshness of sunlight in a room without blocking out the light completely its earthly colour will add warmth to any space. Hessian is ideal for effortless Mediterranean-style homes.

Faux Suede 

Faux suede, a synthetic fabric designed to mimic the luxurious texture of genuine suede, makes an excellent choice for curtains.  Its soft, velvety surface adds a touch of elegance to any room, while its durability and ease of maintenance make it a practical option. Faux suede curtains are versatile, complementing a wide range of interior styles, from contemporary to rustic, effortlessly elevating the ambience of your living space.

Linoso 

Linoso fabric, with its blend of cotton, offers a combination of durability and a beautifully textured finish, making it an excellent choice for curtains. Its adaptability and resilience make Linoso a top contender for adding both style and functionality to your interior decor.

Fire Retardant Vinyl Faux Leather

Fire retardant vinyl faux leather can be a good choice for curtains in certain environments where fire safety is a concern. This type of material is designed to resist ignition and slow the spread of flames in case of a fire.

What are the important things to consider when choosing curtain fabric?

When searching for the right fabric for your curtains, it’s important that you have a clear vision of the look and feel you want to achieve whilst considering the practicalities of your choice, too. 

What else should you consider?

When choosing the fabric, colour, and style of curtain for your home, you should also consider the following….

Density

Before choosing the right fabric for your new curtains, it’s important that you determine the level of privacy and natural light you want to achieve. This will help you to choose the curtain fabric with the correct density. 

Weight

The weight of your curtains is also an important factor. For example, the heavier the fabric, the more you will benefit from optimum privacy and insulation. Popular heavy fabrics include canvas and velvet. 

Colour

The colour of your curtains is also super important, especially when it comes to enhancing the existing décor of your favourite spaces. However, you should keep in mind that darker colours are often prone to fading from exposure to sunlight, while light colours tend to stain more easily. 

Another tip to remember is that white or light-coloured curtains and blinds better reflect heat and light away from your home, meaning you will benefit from cooler spaces. On the other hand, thicker and darker curtains tend to trap heat in a room.

Lining fabrics 

Most people often forget the necessity of lining. Curtain lining is an extra layer of fabric sewn to the back to block out sunlight, retain warmth or simply make your curtains look fuller. Choosing what lining to use on your curtains is an equally important decision as choosing your curtain fabric, as it determines the resulting look of your window dressing.  

There are many fabrics you can choose from. Try polycotton lining,  which is extremely easy to care for while being durable. Due to its cotton blend, it offers privacy and resistance to mould, in addition to helping your curtains drape correctly.

Pencil pleat tape 

To achieve a beautifully pleated appearance, using curtain heading tape is essential. This versatile tape not only facilitates the creation of detachable and blackout linings but also offers precise control over the pleating of each curtain. It’s a valuable tool for crafting the perfect pleated look in your living room or bedroom.

Why choose Discount Fabrics LTD?

Discount Fabrics LTD was established in 2015. As a family, we are fabric specialists, having traded for over 30 years in wholesale. Today, we remain a family-run business passed down through generations. 

Over the years, our company has earned an enviable reputation for offering one of the largest, most unique selections of high-quality fabrics for highly competitive prices.

If you are searching for the perfect curtain fabric, browse our amazing collection of fabrics or get in touch today to discuss your needs.

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A sewing machine on a fabric-covered table surrounded by colorful rolls and pieces of gingham fabric. Two pairs of scissors, sewing accessories, and decorative buttons are nearby, with spools of thread on shelves in the background.
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