Curtain fabrics

Curtain fabric decides how a window behaves: how the light comes in, how the folds fall and whether a room feels calm or stately. Unlike upholstery fabric, curtain fabric is not about hard wear but about drape, weight and how much light it lets through. A well-chosen curtain fabric turns a bare, hard-edged window into a soft plane that softens sound and warms the whole room.

What sets a good curtain fabric apart

The defining quality of curtain fabric is the drape: the way the weave hangs and folds. Heavier qualities such as velvet, wool blends and dense jacquards form calm, deep folds and keep out light and cold. Lighter weaves like linen, cotton blends and voile let daylight filter through and give an airy, almost floating look. The purpose guides the choice: whether you want to black out a bedroom or simply temper the morning light in a living room. Always judge curtain fabric hanging and against the light, because flat on a table a weave reads very differently than at full height in front of the window.

Materials and weave of curtain fabric

Linen is perhaps the most loved curtain fabric: it has a natural, slightly irregular texture, falls smoothly and gains a beautiful, lived-in character over the years. Velvet adds depth and luxury, catches the light in its pile and suits a classic or deliberately dramatic interior. Cotton and linen blends combine firmness with a soft drape and are remarkably versatile. To dress a window without blocking the light, voile or an open linen weave works beautifully as a sheer. Many curtain fabrics come in the same colour family as the matching plain fabrics, so you can tie curtain, sofa and cushion together.

Pleats, lining and hanging

How much fabric you need depends on the pleat you want. A calm single pleat calls for one and a half to two times the window width, while a fuller wave or double pleat quickly needs two to two and a half times. A lining gives the curtain more body, protects the curtain fabric from fading in sunlight and improves insulation. In a bedroom you might choose a blackout lining. Bear in mind that natural fibres such as linen can shrink slightly or drop; allow generous lengths and, when in doubt, have a professional measure up.

Where curtain fabric looks its best

In the living room a full-falling curtain fabric in a neutral tone brings calm and cohesion, especially when the colour returns in the cushions on the sofa. In the bedroom, choose heavier, blackout qualities that keep the light out and dampen sound. At tall windows or in a stately dining room, velvet and jacquard show their deep folds to their best advantage. To connect wall and window, textile wallpaper is a natural partner: the same woven feel on the wall keeps the whole scheme calm and coherent.

Choosing and caring for curtain fabric

Always judge curtain fabric with a sample in hand and hold it in the daylight of the room where the curtain will hang. That way you see how the colour responds to morning and evening light and how the weave sits against your floor, wall and furniture. Match the fabric to its use: a light voile asks for different qualities than a heavy blackout cloth. For cleaning, follow the care advice on the label, as this differs by weave and composition; many curtain fabrics are best dry-cleaned to avoid shrinkage and distortion.

Ordering curtain fabric at Selected Wallpapers

At Selected Wallpapers you can easily request samples online, so you can compare at home before ordering for a whole window. Our interior specialists guide you from sample choice to the right amount of fabric per metre for your pleat. Planning a larger project or a complete room scheme, use the wallpaper calculator for the wall, or find a craftsman near you through our page of professional wallpaper hangers. International shipping, duties & taxes included.