There are so many materials to choose from for drapes and curtains. How do you know which one is right for you, your style, and your home? Our ultimate guide to drape and curtain materials can help.

Polyester Curtains

Polyester is a common fabric for curtains, as it is durable, sturdy, and affordable. They’re the perfect material if you’re buying curtains for the first time. They resist wrinkling, shrinking, and stretching, so they’ll remain in like-new condition for years to come.

They’re extremely versatile in style too. Polyester comes in a wide range of colors and patterns.

Though extremely durable, polyester is prone to runs and pulls. The material is also temperature sensitive, so try to avoid heating them superficially.

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.

Linen Curtains

Linen curtains create a billowed, but tailored look that is sure to bring a calming flair to your home. They drape nicely and allow for a lot of natural light to come in.

Less versatile than polyester, linen curtains and drapes scream sophistication with a welcoming and warm undertone. They still come in a variety of tones and colors, but they’re possibly best known for their neutral tones.

Linen curtains are typically dry clean only, and they should be hung immediately to avoid wrinkling. Linen is also more expensive r than cotton

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 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 curtains drape well, making them a natural fit for formal dining rooms.

They’re a lot like polyester in terms of versatility — cotton 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.

Where to Use Cotton Curtains

Cotton curtains are 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 elegant and luxurious feel of silk. As a curtain material, silk will immediately bring a new level of sophistication and style to your home. However, it comes with a cost.

Silk is one of the heavier curtain materials on the market and is extremely finicky. It is dry clean only and is very susceptible to sun and water damage. We know what you’re thinking: why use a curtain material that doesn’t do well in the sun? Silk works best when paired with window shades if they have a lighter-colored lining protecting them.

Faux silk is also an option. It offers easier laundering and is more durable. Both options are among the most expensive on the market.

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 the kitchen, as silk can easily be stained by water.

Velvet Curtains

Velvet is an amazing insulator that 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.

The velvet attracts pet hair and dust a lot more than other materials. 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 style offers a polished look that dresses up formal dining rooms, traditionally styled living rooms, or regal master bedrooms. To learn more about how to achieve a certain look with different curtains, read our Curtain Styles Guide.

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 traditionally styled dining room, or hang them over French doors to provide some privacy without totally blocking your source of outdoor sunlight. They’re not ideal for bedrooms or kitchens.

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 are monotone (only have one color).

Where to Use Blackout Curtains

They’re perfect for bedrooms of kids who take naps or for your own bedroom if you need to sleep during the day.

Curtain Experts

From bold colors to calming neutrals, draperies, curtain panels and accessories let you create gorgeous style that elevates a room instantly. Whether you’re looking to enhance your home’s decor or to control a room’s lighting, draperies from Budget Blinds of Tempe & Central Phoenix provide a stunning array of options. Explore our world of drapery and prepare to be inspired.

Give us a call today to set up a free consultation!