Choosing Curtain Fabric: A Guide to Style, Comfort, and Performance
When designing an interior space, every decision matters. From colour and pattern to practicality and ease of use, homeowners have a long list of factors to consider. If you’ve decided on made-to-measure curtains for your room, choosing which curtain fabric to use is probably next on your list.
Luckily, selecting a curtain fabric doesn’t have to be daunting. We’re here to talk you through some options and highlight all the functionality aspects to consider.
Trust us, choosing which stunning fabric you’d like for your curtains can be an incredibly enjoyable part of interior design and we’re here to help guide you every step of the way.
Why it’s important to get your curtain fabric right
Curtains are a statement of style but they’re also a practical element in any room. You may be looking for curtains to improve insulation, boost privacy or reduce light within your interior. At the same time, you might want a luxurious feel, a fresh and airy vibe or a vibrant pattern to complement other aspects of your interior.
With the right choice of curtain fabric, you can tick every box on your list. You’ll also elevate your room's ambience and comfort levels as curtains bring a sense of elegance to any space.
More about curtain fabric functionality
Curtains really can ‘perform’ for a room. Alongside creating beautiful focal points, they can keep your home warmer, cosier, cooler, darker, lighter, quieter or even safer.
Before looking at curtain fabric samples, it’s vital to think about how you want your curtains to ‘perform’. Each curtain fabric type brings a different set of functional characteristics and knowing which is important to you and your family is the first decision to make.
Before buying curtain fabric, think about the following:
The level of light control you’re looking for
This is one of the top reasons people opt for curtains in their homes. Whether you’re enjoying a cosy night in, a lie-in on a sunny morning, or spending a Sunday afternoon watching a movie, you’ll want to control the amount of light coming into your room.
In some settings, you may prefer to maximise the amount of light, while still providing privacy. In other rooms, cutting out as much light as possible could be the right choice.
When considering light control within your room, take time to think about how sunny or dark the space is and how you’ll be using the room. Don’t forget to assess how the sun enters the room at different times of the year.
How much privacy you need
When you’re in your sitting room in the evening, curtains can help to shut you off from the world and create a cosy, intimate space. Pulling closed the curtains each evening, especially during the colder, darker months of the year, is an important ritual and signals comfort, relaxation and safety.
Heavier curtain fabric will be more appropriate in some rooms than others. Take a moment to examine whether privacy is important in your space. In day rooms, kitchens, conservatories or hallways you may feel that lighter curtain fabrics that allow light to flood through a space is ideal. Some very light curtain fabric options can allow light through, while maintaining a level of privacy throughout the day. These are a great option for rooms that face the street, for example.
Whether temperature control is important
Heavier curtains can keep your rooms draft-free and insulate windows and doors. As well as keeping you cosy, curtains can keep sunlight and heat out during the hot summer months.
Selecting the right curtain fabric to insulate can save you money on your heating or cooling bills and provide a super sustainable option.
Will you need them to absorb noise?
If you’re looking for ways to reduce noise from outside, if you live on a flight path for example, curtains can contribute significantly. As well as blocking unwelcome outside noise, curtain fabrics can absorb sounds inside a room, such as echoes and reverberations.
And let’s not forget the design
Forgive us for being obvious, but you’ll have some ideas about the design of your curtain fabric before you come to visit us at our Windsor design studio. Some fabrics lend themselves better to intricate printed designs, while others may be more commonly found in neutral tones, or block colour curtains. We’ll have a chat and show you all the options available. You’ll be able to feel the weight of the fabric and choose patterns, weaves, shapes and linings that reflect your individual requirements.
A word about curtain fabric costs
It should come as no surprise that some curtain fabrics are more expensive than others. Heavy silk or velvet drapes will be far pricier than polyester or cotton curtain fabric. When you come to the studio, you can view and touch the fabrics and we can always cost up some alternatives for you.
Making the right decision when it comes to fabric for your curtains can transform a space into somewhere beautiful and incredibly functional. Selecting the perfect curtain fabric is an opportunity to elevate both the ambience and comfort of your home for years to come.