So you want new curtains? Or maybe you’re just browsing your options? Whatever it may be, you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the complex world of curtains, where you have to navigate the material, colors, patterns, sheerness, and energy efficiency before you can settle on one. Our in-depth guide of curtain materials is here to help you narrow down your choices.

Polyester Curtains

Polyester is a common fabric for curtains, as it is durable, sturdy, and affordable. You’ll often see them in your local home store or superstore. That’s because they’re the perfect curtain material for first-time buyers. Polyester resists wrinkles, they don’t shrink or stretch much, and it takes a long time for their color to fade in the sun. That means your investment will remain like-new for years. Though extremely durable, polyester is prone to runs and pulls. The material is also temperature sensitive, so try to avoid heating them superficially.

However, polyester curtains don’t look the most expensive. The phrase “You get what you pay for” is very accurate with polyester — the cheaper they are, the cheaper they will look.

Where to Use Polyester Curtains

Polyester is great for bedrooms and living rooms — places that get a lot of traction. Because they’re so low maintenance and easy to clean, you won’t have to worry about guests or pets getting them dirty.

However, you should avoid putting them outside or in the kitchen. Polyester is highly flammable and prone to absorbing odors. You should also avoid putting them in your front room if you want to showcase your new curtains, as they may not look as good as other materials on this list.

Linen Curtains

Linen curtains create a billowed and tailored look that drapes nicely and allows for a lot of natural light to come in.

Though less versatile in terms of color and privacy than polyester, linen curtains are certainly more elegant. They’re best in neutral tones and usually allow a warm glow of diffused sunlight into your home, making it feel warm and inviting.

Linen curtains are typically dry clean only, and they should be hung immediately to avoid wrinkling.

Where to Use Linen Curtains

Linen is the perfect material for casual dining rooms or a contemporary living room. Because they can be sheer, we recommend avoiding using them in the bedroom, bathroom, or any room you want to block out light.

Cotton Curtains

Curtains made of cotton or a cotton blend offer a crisp, clean feel that suits traditional or modern decorating styles. Cotton also comes in a wide variety of styles, textures, colors, sheerness, and tones.

However, there are a few things you should know about cotton curtains. Their natural fibers tend to wear down faster than other curtain materials. They also hold moisture and can form mold or mildew if not properly cleaned. And, like with your laundry, cotton curtains are prone to shrinking. If you’re not scared away by the potential maintenance of them, then cotton will make a wonderful addition to your home.

Where to Use Cotton Curtains

Cotton curtains drape well, making them a natural fit for formal dining rooms. They are also great for bedrooms and living rooms because of the level of privacy they offer. You can also opt for sheer options to let in natural light too.

Silk Curtains

Nothing can beat the luxurious feel of silk. That feel, however, comes with a cost. Silk is one of the most expensive and the heaviest curtain materials on the market. It’s also extremely finicky.

It is dry clean only and is very susceptible to sun and water damage, so keep that in mind when you’re choosing it. Silk works best when paired with window shades or blinds that block the light before you close the curtains.

Faux silk is also an option. It offers easier laundering and is more durable. Unfortunately, the price is still usually higher than most other curtain materials.

Where to Use Silk Curtains

Silk curtains offer a romantic look that’s ideal for bedrooms or formal dining rooms. Avoid any room that gets a lot of sun and moisture, such as the kitchen, because silk can easily be stained by water.

Velvet Curtains

Velvet is an amazing insulator and is soft to the touch. This curtain material is perfect for drafty homes who want to keep the heat in and the cold out, or vice versa. Not to mention that their natural thickness provides next-level privacy and helps block both sound and light.

If you have pets, you may want to avoid velvet, though. It attracts pet hair like no other and can easily get snagged on their claws. It’s also more susceptible to sun damage and water damage.

Velvet also isn’t very versatile in style or colors, though it does offer a warm and bold look to any room.

Where to Use Velvet Curtains

Velvet curtains drape well, so this material dresses up formal dining rooms, traditionally styled living rooms, or regal master bedrooms.

Lace Curtains

Lace is a very sheer fabric, so curtains made from this material tend to diffuse natural light and offer an open, airy feel. It’s meant to add a soft layer of light, instead of blocking it out completely.

Lace curtains are typically available in neutral shades, such as white, ivory, and ecru. Depending on the construction of lace curtains, they may be dry clean only or machine-washable. Always check care labels for specific laundering instructions.

Where to Use Lace Curtains

Lace curtains to add a romantic touch to your dining room. You can also hang them over French doors to provide some privacy without totally blocking your source of outdoor sunlight. They’re not ideal for bedrooms unless you pair them with a window shade or blind to help add privacy and block out light.

Blackout Curtains

As implied in their name, blackout curtains are ideal for blocking out sunlight. They’re made with completely opaque material and backed by foam. Because of this, they’re typically only available in a single style and a solid color (no patterns, just one color throughout).

Where to Use Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains are best used in bedrooms, because they’re designed to block out light. IF you have a particularly drafty room as well, blackout curtains can help insulate it.

We don’t recommend putting them in rooms with a lot of foot traffic, such as dining rooms, living rooms, or kitchens, as they’re not the more stylish curtains on the market. For a similar blackout effect, we recommend window shades with a blackout liner instead.

Curtain Experts

If you’re ready to find the perfect curtains for your home, give us a call at Budget Blinds of North Glendale. Our design experts will get you set up with samples — different materials, colors, patterns, you name it! Once you’re happy with your choice, your curtains will be customised to fit your home exactly so you don’t have to worry about their length or how they frame your window. With us, everything you need is covered. Explore our world of drapery and prepare to be inspired.