Find out how to choose the curtainfabrics that best suit your home decor.

Curtains are more than an element to control the natural light in your home, they are also a decorative element that can greatly enhance your decor. It is necessary to take into account several factors when choosing fabrics for curtains.

In this article we show you how to choose the perfect curtain fabrics to decorate your home. Each window and each space has unique characteristics, so it is important that you take special care when choosing suitable fabrics  for each room so that the curtains are the perfect complement to the windows.

The first step is to know the role of the curtain in the environment of your space. Whether to control light, outside noise, ensure privacy or simply to decorate.

There are curtains ready to be placed in your space, but by choosing the fabrics you can customize and personalize your curtains: color, type of fabric, dimensions. So your design options end up being endless.

How to choose colors, patterns and fabric composition

Colors, composition, patterns and textures of fabrics. Perhaps this phase is the most difficult as it requires thinking about several factors, taking into account good taste and creativity.

When it comes time to choose the colors or fabric patterns for your curtains, keep the following aspects in mind:

• Take photos of your space to see the colors tou want to combine;

• Choose colors or patterns according to the seasens.

• Maintain consistency with the decoration style of the space;

• Take into account the existing patterns in the rest of the decoration.

Combine patterns and colors with the rest of the decor. Avoid dark fabrics for windows where the sunlight is intense, as they can retain heat and increase the temperature of the space.

Opting for neutral colors can always be a good option, as they are more timeless and not too boring. If you decide to have more vivid textures and colors you can add another charm to the space. If you have questions, you can always consult the fabric seller or a professional decorator.

What type of fabric is most suitable?

It will always depend on the purpose of the curtains and the rest of the decoration and ambience of the space. If the purpose is to block the entry of external light or promote sound insulation, then you can think about a type of fabric for blackout curtains. Today there are several options for more elaborate and lighter blackout fabrics. In bedrooms, you can provide a darker and cooler environment, which will help with sleep quality.

If you choose or already have an environment with a more classic, modern or casual look, then you can choose light fabrics to create current and eclectic compositions.

If you are thinking about a cleaner or more rustic decor, you can opt for natural fabrics, such as linen or silk. Depending on the rest of the decoration, these can also be part of sophisticated and traditional environments. Discover some types of curtain fabrics you can choose from.

Types of fabrics

Voile, a thin, slightly transparent cotton fabric, can be used in lighter environments. You can use it for example for a baby’s room.  This fabric can be plain, wrinkled, worked, printed, rustic, with or without embroidery.

Linen is a thicker and more noble fabric, ideal for creating an atmosphere of comfort and a rustic environment. In lighter tones it allows more light into the space and in darker tones it will create more shadows.

Like linen, twill is full-bodied and has a texture that is reminiscent of denim. It can be used to print geometric patterns.

To provide more formal, modern and sophisticated environments, you can opt for silk. As this type of fabric has good thermal conductivity, it cools the space in summer and warms it in winter. It can be a good choice for your living room or bedroom curtains.

Shandong, is a natural fabric handmade from silk. Suitable for making your space more elegant. It has a texture thicker than silk and slightly grainy. It can also be woven from polyester or elastane. Here, it would be a synthetic fabric.

Velvet is made from silk threads and has a very sumptuous texture. As it has thermal and acoustic characteristics, it is great for use in winter curtains. Can be used in sophisticated environments. The ideal length of use should be to the floor.

How to calculate the right size for curtain fabrics

To know the right size of fabric for your curtains, it is essential to first know the exact size of each window. You don’t need to be a math genius to do the calculations. It’s very simple: add the width of the window + 40 cm and multiply the total by 2 if the fabric is thicker (linen or cotton) or by 3 if it is lighter (silk, voile).

See this example for a cotton fabric:

400 cm (window) + 20cm (right side) + 20 cm (left side) = 440cm multiplied by 2 = 880 cm of fabric.

We recommend that you leave 20 centimeters to spare on each side of the window, to prevent unwanted light from entering through the window and the effects of the wind. In addition, it aesthetically improves the appearance of the curtain.

Dry clean or machine wash curtain fabrics?

Over time, it is normal for curtains to accumulate a certain amount of dirt. It is therefore necessary to clean them regularly. But if you’re not careful, you can ruin them. Therefore, treat them with care and always pay attention to the instructions on the fabric labels regarding information about the cleaning precautions you should take. If you want to save time and money in the long term, the ideal would be to opt for curtains that can be washed in the washing machine. If the fabric requires special care, use specialized laundries to wash it.

Also always ask the fabric seller for advice on which type of washing is most suitable. He will certainly know how to indicate what should be done.

Ask an expert for help

If you have doubts about how to choose the right fabrics for your space, the ideal is to turn to someone who has more knowledge about this. A decorator can help you decide on colors, textures and fabric patterns for your curtains so that they blend perfectly with the rest of the space’s design. You can also ask a decoration fabric dealer for help. They will know how to suggest and follow the process of choosing fabrics for curtains.