How to choose curtain fabric, room by room

If you’re looking for curtain fabric, it can be quite overwhelming when you come to our website - or even into our shops - there are thousands of beautiful fabrics - linens, velvets, checks, florals, and every weight and weave in between. So where do you actually start? ‘What is the best curtain fabric?’ is one of the most common questions we get asked by customers. 

The honest answer is that there isn’t one ‘best’ curtain fabric. The best curtain fabric for a living room is rarely the best curtain fabric for a bedroom or a kitchen, since each room asks something different of its curtains - blocking out streetlight, surviving a splash from a hob or simply looking gorgeous against the sofa. 

This guide walks through each main room in the house, so you can shop with a bit more confidence and a lot less guesswork.

In a bedroom, the right fabric really depends on your colour scheme and how you want the room to look. However, in a bedroom, the curtain lining can be just as important as the curtain fabric. 

Blackout lining is worth considering if you’re sensitive to early morning light or work shifts, while a thermal lining will help keep the room cosy in winter and cooler in summer. There are several lining fabrics available, including coloured and striped lining which can create a dramatic contrast with your curtain fabric - and something that can be included as part of our Made to Measure curtain service. Discover more about curtain linings in our blog, What is curtain lining?

The kitchen is the one room where practicality has to come first. The best curtain fabric for a kitchen is one that can shrug off steam, splashes and the occasional stray bit of cooking oil - thanks to our washable and stain-resistant ranges.

In terms of styling, it depends on your kitchen vibe - is it contemporary or cottagey? Cosy or cool? Calm or cluttered? An open-plan kitchen where the family gathers to eat will feel very different to a small galley-style kitchen which is used purely for cooking.

Most kitchens don’t easily accommodate full length curtains, but if you do want to dress your windows, cafe curtains work well for light as well as privacy. If your kitchen doubles as a dining space, it’s worth treating the curtains a little more like a living room fabric decision, since they’ll be on show rather than being purely functional.

• Order free samples: once you’ve narrowed down your fabric choices and drawn up a shortlist, you can order up to six free samples via our website. That way you can colour test against your walls and furniture and also feel the fabric to see if it;s what you are after.
• Measure your windows: the next step is working out how much fabric you need. Follow our curtain measuring guides or book a free virtual appointment from anywhere in the country, and one of our consultants will talk you through how to measure your windows, so you’re not left guessing.
• Make the curtains: getting the fabric made up into beautiful curtains is the final step and where our Made to Measure curtain service comes in. Made to Measure curtains can be ordered directly online if you feel confident about your measurements, or through a virtual appointment if you would like more guidance. Here we can advise on curtain headers, linings and other tips to ensure your finished curtains are just as you had imagined.
  
  

Our experienced staff can assist in helping you choose the best curtain fabric for your rooms. If you are local to the Cotswolds, pop into one of our showrooms in Cheltenham or Bureford or book a virtual appointment for more help and advice.