How to Choose Fabrics for Curtains | A Comprehensive Guide

A detailed expert resource from Curtains by Max Buston

Choosing fabrics for curtains is one of the most joyful, and transformative, parts of designing a room. Curtains are not simply functional pieces of cloth that provide privacy. They shape the light, define the architecture, soften acoustics, alter colour balances, and create an emotional atmosphere the moment you enter the space.

This guide brings together the expertise we share every day in our London and Devon curtain showrooms. It is long, intentionally so, but you do not need to absorb all of it; simply follow the sections that interest you most. The purpose is not to dive into every curtain detail, but to help you understand what matters, why certain fabrics behave as they do, and how we guide clients through these decisions.

By the end, you’ll have a strong sense of the considerations behind choosing the perfect curtain fabric, and perhaps even more importantly, the confidence that you don’t need to know all of this before you visit us. The joy comes from exploring fabrics in person, with gentle, expert guidance.

1. Begin with the room. What are you trying to achieve?

Before thinking about fabric types, patterns, or colour, pause for a moment and consider the room itself. Every space has an energy, a light quality, a level of formality or informality, and a way you naturally use it.

Here are the foundational questions we ask our clients:

How do you use the room?

A formal living room might call for a tailored wool or velvet, while a relaxed family room may want linen’s softness.

How much light do you want?

Some rooms thrive with sheer fabrics that allow daylight to shimmer through. Others: bedrooms, TV rooms, nurseries, may need blackout layers, heavier fabrics, or Roman blinds behind curtains.

Do you want the room to feel larger or more intimate?

Colour, texture, and the fabric’s weight all influence this. Pale linens can open a space. Deep velvets can cocoon and enrich.

How warm or cool is the room naturally?

South-facing rooms are bathed in natural light, which can be a beautiful feature. Sheers can gently diffuse the brightness, and many modern fabrics are developed to perform beautifully in sunny spaces, helping moderate heat in summer.

North-facing rooms can feel wonderfully snug when you introduce interlining or a slightly heavier fabric.

What is the architectural style?

A Georgian sash window has different needs and proportions than a modern window.

Starting with the room prevents overwhelm and gently narrows the fabric universe into something curated, relevant, and purposeful.

2. Fabric types: Properties, character, and where they shine

Choosing fabric is about matching behaviour with emotion. Each material has its own texture, movement, drape, weight, and way it interacts with light.

Below is a detailed look at the main fabric families used for curtains.

Linens: Relaxed, natural, timeless

Linen is one of the most loved curtain fabrics today, and for good reason.

Why people love it

• Beautifully soft, organic movement
• Breathable and light-responsive
• Works in coastal, contemporary, or country houses
• Adds freshness and ease to a room

How it hangs

Linen does not hang with military precision, rather, it has a natural ease to it. Interlining can give it more body, but its charm lies in subtle irregularities.

Where it works best

• Bedrooms
• Relaxed living spaces
• Coastal or countryside homes
• Rooms wanting freshness rather than formality

Considerations

Linen creases and will relax over time. This is part of its character, not a flaw.

Cottons: Crisp, versatile, and great for patterns. 

Cotton weaves are one of the best choices for printed fabrics.

Why it’s useful

• Takes printed designs exceptionally well
• Offers a clean, structured drape
• Not too heavy, not too light
• Easily interlined for additional body

Best uses

• Living rooms
• Children’s rooms
• Pattern-heavy schemes
• Traditional interiors wanting a clean, fresh feel

Considerations

Cotton benefits enormously from interlining, which gives it warmth and prevents a “flat” drape.

Embroideries

Many cotton and linen fabrics are an ideal base for embroideries, adding dimensionality and craftsmanship, they catch the light differently and introduce texture without overwhelming a scheme. They work beautifully when you want subtle decoration, or when a room needs detail without a heavy printed pattern.

Heavier embroideries may need interlining for support, while finer embroideries drape gracefully on their own.

Velvets: Warm, luxurious, and richly coloured. 

Velvet creates instant atmosphere.

What makes velvet special

• Absorbs light beautifully
• Adds richness and depth
• Excellent insulation
• Hangs in clean, dramatic vertical lines

Where velvet excels

• Living rooms
• TV rooms
• Large draughty windows
• Period homes
• Formal or dramatic spaces

Considerations

Velvet can be heavy. Poles and tracks must be appropriately specified.

Wools: Elegant, tailored, and architectural. 

Wool is one of the most underrated curtain fabrics.

Why wool is a designer favourite

• Refined and tailored
• Excellent at hanging straight
• Naturally insulating
• Works in both modern and traditional rooms

Best uses

• Formal sitting rooms
• Georgian or Victorian sash windows
• Bay windows
• Minimalist interiors where texture matters

Silks: Glamorous, light-reactive, and refined

Silk curtains are truly special.

Character

• Shine changes beautifully with light
• Soft, refined drape
• Works perfectly in grand, formal rooms

But… considerations

• Not suitable for humid rooms
• South-facing windows may fade, unless the material is a modern viscose silk
• Often requires interlining, unless very structured

Silk is for those who want elegance and heritage charm.

Viscose Silks

Modern silk alternates, such as viscose or viscose-silk blends, offer the same soft drape and luminous sheen with greater stability and fewer sensitivity issues. These fabrics can be a beautiful choice for those wanting the glamour of silk without the fragility.

Sheers and voiles: Light, softening, and beautifully layered

Sheers can transform a space without blocking light.

Benefits

• Softens incoming daylight
• Provides privacy without heaviness
• Beautiful behind a main curtain
• Excellent for modern architecture

Uses

• Kitchens
• Hallways
• Living rooms with overlooked or sunny windows
• Bedrooms wanting soft privacy during the day

Performance fabrics: Practical and beautifully made 

Modern technology has given us fabrics that resist stains, moisture, and sun-fading.

These work well in:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Holiday homes
• Children’s rooms
• Anywhere needing durability

Considerations

• Often more expensive

Blended fabrics

Blends such as cotton-polyester, linen-viscose allow you to combine the beauty of natural fibres with the performance benefits of modern materials. Many of the fabrics used in high-end curtain design today are blends: for drape, stability, or durability.

3. Colour, pattern and scale; Getting the artistry right

Choosing the colour and pattern is where the creativity begins, and if you're lucky enough to make an immediate connection with a fabric, you can design the whole room scheme around your curtains.

Colour: What it does to a room

Light colours

• Fresh
• Calm
• Expansive
• Excellent for small rooms or where you want a serene atmosphere

Deep colours

• Intimate
• Dramatic
• Great for creating evening mood

Warm tones (russet, ochre, terracotta)

• Make large rooms feel welcoming
• Pair beautifully with natural materials

Cool tones (blues, greens)

• Calming
• Connected to nature
• Ideal for bedrooms

Colour and light

Curtain fabrics change colour vastly between daylight and evening lighting.
This is why seeing samples in situ is essential.

Pattern scale and a common mistake to avoid

Pattern scale is one of the areas clients often worry most about, and one of the areas where expert guidance makes a dramatic difference.

Small patterns

Can feel busy if used too often, but wonderful in moderation.

Large patterns

Make a statement and create elegance, especially on tall windows.

The golden rule

Large pattern + small pattern = harmony
Small + small = clutter
Large + large = competition

When combining multiple fabrics in a room, contrast in scale stops things feeling either chaotic or predictable.

Balancing, not matching

Trying to match everything too closely flattens the scheme.

The most successful rooms layer:

• contrasting textures
• complementary colour temperatures
• variation in scale
• occasional deliberate tension

Curtains can either anchor the room or create movement, the choice depends on what the room needs.

Remember also to consider how one room flows into another in harmony on the same floor, and how there is scope to add contrast between floors of a home.

4. Texture, weight, and how the fabric behaves

Texture is the emotional language of a fabric. It determines whether a room feels:

• relaxed
• tailored
• warm
• contemporary
• classic
• opulent

Lightweight fabrics

• Move gently
• Work well with sheers
• Feel breezier and more informal

Medium-weight fabrics

• Most versatile
• Work with almost any heading style
• Behave predictably and elegantly

Heavyweight fabrics

• Velvet, wool, brocade
• Add drama and depth
• Require strong hardware
• Provide privacy and insulation

The drape of a fabric, how it falls, is largely influenced by its weight and the presence of interlining.

5. The importance of lining and interlining

Interlining is one of the biggest differences between ordinary and exceptional curtains. Most of our curtains are interlined for this very reason.

Lining

Protects the face fabric and adds a little body.

Interlining

A soft, thick layer that:

• improves insulation
• gives fullness and luxury
• enhances drape
• prevents light bleed
• stabilises delicate fabrics

Blackout lining

Essential for bedrooms and always part of the early conversation.

6. Layering: Sheers, blinds and double curtains

Layering is not just decorative, it’s practical.

Common layering combinations

• Sheer curtain + main curtain
• Roman blind + curtain
• Two sets of curtains (one functional, one decorative)

This is particularly useful for:

• bay windows
• French doors
• rooms with variable light needs
• street-facing properties

Layering also allows you to mix textures and patterns in a sophisticated way, giving a greater sense of interest and depth to a room.

7. Design rules that make curtains look beautiful 

Aside from choosing a standout fabric, these guiding principles consistently elevate a scheme:

Hang high

Ideally to the cornice, or half way between the cornice and top of the window. This heightens the room and improves proportions instantly.

Keep the curtain off the window when open

30–40cm to each side preserves maximum light.

Add a soft break

Around 3-4cm of extra fabric on the floor creates elegance without fuss.

Use a deep leading edge hem

So your hand always touches the face fabric, not the lining.

Choose the right fullness

This is a hidden but vital part of craftsmanship. Fullness affects richness, flow, and how the fabric pattern reads. We make curtains between 2 - 2.5 fullness.

Finishing touches

Hand-sewn hems, hand-applied trims, and careful steaming and dressing at installation elevate the entire room.

8. Fabrics for different window types 

Windows come in countless shapes and proportions, each with its own rhythm and architectural personality. Choosing fabric for a specific window type is less about strict rules and more about understanding how fabric behaves in relation to height, width, projection, and how you move through the space. Below are some of the most common window types we see, and how different fabrics, and different design strategies, can help them shine.

Tall sash windows

Tall sash windows, whether Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian, have a natural elegance that responds beautifully to full-length curtains. Their height gives fabrics room to breathe, and the visual drop allows textures and patterns to read clearly.

What works well:

• Wool for a clean, architectural line
• Velvet for depth, richness, and a sense of rootedness
• Linen for relaxed elegance
• Large-scale patterns — because the height allows the motif to unfold without crowding

Why this works:

Tall windows can take fabric that has presence. A larger-scale pattern that might overwhelm a small window often looks balanced and serene here. Conversely, very small patterns can look busy when stretched over a long drop.

Bay Windows

Bay windows are both charming and technically complex. Their multiple angles mean the curtain typically hangs under the pole (rather than in front of it), which naturally creates a cleaner line and a more architectural presence.

What works well:

• Fabrics that hang neatly: wool, velvet, good-weight linen
• Lightly relaxed fabrics if you want to balance the bay’s inherent formality
• Layering with Roman blinds for privacy or day/night control

Why:

A bay draws the eye outward and upward. Clean-hanging fabrics maintain this clarity, but a slightly softer linen can create a lovely counterbalance, a gentle drape against the bay’s geometry. This tension between structure and softness is often what makes a bay window sing.

French doors

French doors are about movement: stepping in and out, connecting interior with exterior. The fabric here should echo that sense of flow.

What works well:

• Fabrics with graceful movement (linen, lightweight wool)
• Patterns or colours that subtly reference the garden or view outside
• Plains with trims for a refined look that doesn’t overwhelm the glazing

Why:

French doors are transitional. Heavy or stiff fabrics can feel out of place unless deliberately chosen for drama. Most clients prefer something that feels good to touch and moves easily when drawn.

Very wide windows

Wide windows, often found in contemporary homes or open-plan spaces, offer enormous design potential. Curtains can either frame the glazing or transform the whole wall.

Two main approaches:

1. Frame the window traditionally

Curtains sit just wide enough to reveal the glass.

Works well with:

• Medium-scale textures
• Tailored wools
• Elegant plains with trims

2. Go wall-to-wall for a contemporary look

The curtain becomes an architectural feature, softening an entire expanse.

Works well with:

• Relaxed linens
• Large-scale patterns (especially in muted colours so they don’t overwhelm)
• Soft, tonal plains

Why:

Large windows give you room to use larger-scale patterns, provided the colours aren’t so bold that they dominate the space. Similarly, plains with trims work beautifully because the trim breaks up the expanse without forcing a pattern across a wide span.

Apex, Arched, and Curved Windows

These windows can be breathtakingly beautiful and often seem intimidating to dress, but the fabric doesn’t limit you at all. You don’t need to worry about choosing the ‘right’ type: with good design and experienced making, almost any fabric will work beautifully.

What works well:

• Most fabrics, provided the solution is well-designed
• Soft linens and wools for apex windows (they follow lines well)
• Velvets or bold patterns if used with intention
• Plains with trims for sculptural clarity

Why:

These windows create strong shapes: triangles, arches, curves. The fabric doesn’t need to fight them. Instead, it should complement the line or deliberately soften it. The success here comes from craftsmanship, thoughtful heading choices, careful pattern placement, or bespoke track systems, more than from the fabric type.

A helpful principle:

When the window shape is a key architectural feature, choose a fabric that supports it. When the architecture is simple, the fabric can take a more decorative lead.

Balancing Bold Patterns and Large Spaces

Large windows and tall drops open the door to large-scale patterns; peonies, palms, damasks, geometrics, but there’s a subtle art to getting the balance right.

• Large-scale pattern + soft/tonal colours = spacious, calm
• Large-scale pattern + highly saturated colour = bold, commanding
• Large repeat + very wide windows can be extraordinary if the room is large enough to hold it
• Small patterns on large windows often look busier than intended

If you love a big pattern but worry about overpowering the space, choosing a muted palette or using the pattern on a Roman blind behind a plain curtain can create gorgeous depth.

Plains With Trims: Understated but Powerful

For windows with unusual shapes, strong architecture, or rooms where you want balance and drama, a plain fabric with a beautifully chosen trim can be the perfect answer. Trims introduce rhythm, detail, and sophistication without overwhelming the window.

9. The Three Golden Principles 

The success in these three areas is where our curtains truly shine for our clients:

1. The Fabric & Trim

Scale, colour, texture, weight, and how the fabric interacts with light.

2. The Curtain’s Design & Style

Heading type, length, break, placement above the window, and how curtains relate to the architecture.

3. The Quality of Making

The craftsmanship that ensures your curtains feel tailored, luxurious, and personal to your home.

10. How we help you choose

Most clients arrive with a general idea; a colour they like, a mood they want, or simply a sense that the room needs something.

Our role is to:

• listen to how you use the space
• look at the architecture
• consider light and privacy needs
• select fabrics that lift the room’s character
• guide proportion, heading styles, and finishing details
• ensure the final result feels natural and right

You don’t need to know fabric terminology. You simply need to walk into the room and feel at home.

11. Visit us in London or Devon

Curtains are tactile objects, photographs cannot convey weight, softness, drape, or colour shifts in changing light.

You are warmly invited to visit our Richmond or Dartmouth showrooms to explore fabrics, discuss ideas, and begin the design process.