# Choosing the right fabric for your curtains **By Bargain Blinds** · 2021-05-27 We have a huge range of curtain fabrics available, and each type has its own benefits and best uses based on weight, texture, light blocking or exposing qualities, durability and sun-fade resistance. The most common types of curtain fabric are cotton, linen, polyester, velvet, acrylic, rayon, and voile. We also have a recycled fabric option which is a cotton polyester blend made with recycled plastic bottles. ### **Cotton** Cotton is a versatile and affordable fabric that can be used to achieve a range of styles. It offers a crisp, clean feel that suits traditional or modern styles and is available in plenty of colours and patterns. As it is a lightweight material, we recommend lining cotton curtains to help them hang as desired. If you’re looking to block sunlight in a bright room, choose cotton with a tight weave or add a blockout lining. ### **Linen** Linen is a natural fibre with a slightly textured, billowy look that creates an airy, relaxed environment. Linen curtains have a shorter lifespan than other more durable fabrics and they are notorious for creasing and difficult cleaning, so if you’re looking for a low maintenance option, you might be better off with a linen blend or linen-look curtain instead. ### **Polyester** This is a very common choice. Polyester is durable, affordable, easy to care for, and doesn’t really wrinkle, stretch or shrink. However, polyester curtains are a bit more flammable than other choices and they absorb odours so they’re great for bedrooms and living areas, but not in the kitchen. ### **Velvet** Made of either natural or synthetic fibres, if you want glamour and richness in a room, velvet curtains will definitely do the trick. They’re thick and heavy, great for blocking out cold air, light and sound. And it drapes well, giving rooms a regal look. ### **Acrylic** With a similar texture to wool, acrylic is a lightweight fabric that drapes nicely and provides great insulation. Acrylic curtains attract and disperse moisture effortlessly, they’re hypoallergenic and resistant to mould and mildew, making them a great choice throughout your home. ### **Rayon** Rayon can be woven with natural fibres to achieve a variety of textures. It’s soft, strong and breathable, making it an economical alternative to silk. ### **Voile** Voile is a crisp, open weave fabric that is best utilised for sheers. It gathers and drapes wonderfully, creating a light, airy ambience while maintaining a high level of privacy. ### **Recycled** Recycled fabrics are usually a cotton/polyester blend and incorporate the plastic from recycled bottles to give the fabric strength and durability while also reusing an item that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Great for those considering their environmental impact, recycled fabrics are very versatile with great durability and easy to clean. ## Not sure what fabric you’ll like? It can be tough to imagine what a fabric will feel like or how it will hang. That’s why we offer free samples. You can order a few different options and see how they work in your home before deciding what to order. TIP: hold the fabric sample up to a window to see how it filters light and try pleating it at the top to see how it drapes. ## Some things to consider when choosing your fabric: - What’s the mood of the room? More formal rooms can do well with thick heavy curtains, while airy, casual rooms are better with natural looking fabrics and sheers. - Darker colours are great for higher traffic areas as they don’t get as noticeably dirty. - Choose lighter colours for rooms that get lots of light as darker colours will fade faster. - Make sure you pay attention to what kind of rod you have - plain fabrics can be dressed up with decorative rods. - Don’t forget about pattern repeat - make sure patterns have enough space to repeat nicely. **Tags:** Colours & fabrics, Curtains --- > Source: [Bargain Blinds & Curtains](https://bargain-blinds-curtains.myshopify.com/blogs/inspiration/choosing-the-right-fabric-for-your-curtains)