What Are the Best Curtain Fabrics for Your Home?
Cotton, linen, velvet or voile? How do you navigate decision fatigue when it comes to choosing the best curtain fabrics for your home?
There’s no one-size-fits-all rule when selecting the best fabric or material for your curtains. But don’t stress – with a proper understanding of drapery fabrics, their usage and care instructions, you can confidently pick the perfect curtains for your entire home.
Today, we’ll cover the pros and cons of eight popular curtain fabric styles so you can make your décor decisions with ease.
The Best Curtain Fabrics for Your Home
Curtains come in lightweight, standard weight or heavyweight fabrics that each serve different purposes and functions.
To select the right curtain fabrics for your home, you’ll want to consider the needs of each room or window (i.e., create privacy, add light, enhance the décor). Make sure to select a fabric you love and enjoy looking at.
Here are the most popular curtain fabrics:
1. Polyester
Polyester is a standard choice for curtains. It’s affordable, low-maintenance and durable – ideal for those who are renters, first-time homeowners or on a budget.
Style & Usage
- Available in a variety of colors and patterns to match any décor
- Versatile for most rooms in your home
- Avoid using polyester in kitchens or dining rooms – polyester absorbs odors and is flammable
Care Tips
- Machine-washable, tumble dry on a delicate, low-heat setting
- Not prone to shrinking, stretching or wrinkling
- Mold and mildew resistant
2. Rayon
Rayon mimics natural fibers. It can feel luxuriously similar to silk or linen. Like polyester, rayon is affordable and functional across the home.
Style & Usage
- Soft yet durable
- Versatile in most rooms in your home
- Great for light filtering
Care Instructions
- Dry-clean only (can become damaged in a washing machine)
3. Cotton
Cotton curtains are modern and drape beautifully when hung. If you want an airy, clean feel, cotton may be a good fit. (Bonus: Cotton is organic.)
Style & Usage
- Dark colors provide solid coverage while muted colors draw in light
- Ideal for dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms
- Great for filtering light
Care Tips
- Machine-wash on delicate cycle with cold water, hang dry
- Susceptible to shrinkage and mildew
- Will fade over time if placed in direct sunlight
4. Linen
Linen is similar to cotton (it’s also organic), but is more durable and gives off a contemporary, tailored appearance. However, it’s pricier and requires extra care.
Style & Usage
- Modern and fresh, perfect for most rooms in your home
- Great for light filtering
- UV-resistant (won’t fade) and useful for regulating indoor temperature in the summer
Care Tips
- Dry-clean only and should be re-hung immediately to avoid creasing
- Susceptible to mold and mildew
5. Silk
Silk is beautiful, sophisticated and romantic. Contrary to popular belief, silk isn’t necessarily expensive (you can also purchase silk/cotton blend curtains or silk/linen blend curtains).
Style & Usage
- Heavier than standard-weight fabric, yet soft and cool in texture
- Perfect for formal living rooms, dining rooms and rooms with elegant windows
- Good for regulating indoor temperature
Care Tips
- Dry-clean recommended
- Extremely susceptible to sun damage, so keep away from direct sunlight
6. Velvet
If your home requires insulation, velvet curtains might be optimal. However, velvet fabric is more formal, so make sure it’s a good match for your room or home first.
Style & Usage
- Heavy, thick and excellent for insulating your windows from cold drafts
- Good fit for sophisticated dining rooms, traditional living rooms or master bedrooms
- Blocks light and sound for extra privacy
Care Tips
- Dry-clean recommended
- Accumulates dust easily; gently vacuum with a bristle attachment to clean up dust
- Do not iron (use a steamer only if necessary)
7. Voile
Voile is a sheer, delicate fabric that resembles chiffon. Layer voile curtains with medium-weight curtains for a blissful, dreamy effect.
Style & Usage
- Modern and contemporary
- Ideal for living rooms, doorways or tall and wide windows
- Great for light filtering but not ideal for privacy, light or sound insulation
Care Tips
- Hand-washing recommended or machine-wash on delicate cycle with curtains in a protective mesh bag
- Pre-treat stains as much as possible beforehand
- Hang-dry
8. Lace
Lace fabric is more traditional and ornate than its sheer counterparts. It’s perfect for traditional homes with ornamental décor and furniture. (With the right touch, lace curtains can fit in with modern décor, too.)
Style & Usage
- Traditional and more elaborate
- Versatile and suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms or kitchens
- Great for light filtering but not ideal for privacy, light or sound insulation
Care Tips
- Lace may contain cotton or polyester fibers, so follow care instructions for your specific fabric
- Hand-washing recommended or machine-wash on delicate cycle with curtains in a protective mesh bag
- Pre-treat stains as much as possible beforehand
- Hang-dry
Make the Right Choice With Kwik-Hang
With so many fabrics to choose from for your home, it’s easy to overlook the rest of the curtain-hanging process, which includes picking the right curtain hardware or measuring your windows with precision.
Kwik-Hang eliminates the guesswork and effort of shopping for and installing curtain hardware. You don’t need to use any screws, nails or drills to hang your curtains, which means zero wall damage! Just align the brackets to your window frame, tap gently with a hammer and you’re set to mount your curtains.
Kwik-Hang’s no-drill, damage-free brackets are available in a variety of colors for single rods and double rods in one-inch or 5/8-inch widths to match any curtain fabric you choose. They also hold up to 20 pounds and will support all your desired curtain fabrics to keep your window treatments in place.
