Best Fabric for Curtains: Top Choices Compared

The best fabrics for curtains are voile, organza and velvet. The right choice depends on the look you want, the season and how much care you can give it. This guide explains the options and what to watch for.

Top fabrics for curtains

Voile: Light, breathable and soft, a favourite for hot weather. Keep in mind: semi-sheer, so it may need a lining. See our voile or the voile guide.
Organza: Crisp and sheer, holds volume without weight. Keep in mind: wrinkles and frays, and can feel stiff against skin. See our organza or the organza guide.
Velvet: Rich, deep colour and a soft pile that feels luxurious. Keep in mind: warm, needs dry-cleaning, and the pile must be cut in one direction. See our velvet or the velvet guide.
Jacquard: Woven-in patterns give body, texture and a rich look. Keep in mind: heavier and pricier, and may need lining. See our jacquard or the jacquard guide.
Taffeta: Crisp with a gentle sheen, great for volume and structure. Keep in mind: creases sharply and rustles. See our taffeta or the taffeta guide.
Cotton: Breathable, comfortable and easy to wash. Keep in mind: can shrink and crease, so pre-wash before cutting. See our cotton or the cotton guide.

How to choose fabric for curtains

Use sheers (voile, organza) for light filtering and heavier fabrics (velvet, jacquard, canvas) for blackout and privacy. Check fade resistance if the window gets direct sun.

What to avoid

Very light fabrics will not hang well without weighted hems.

Which fabric for which season?

Velvet gives warmth in winter, sheers keep rooms cool. For hot weather, the best picks for curtains are voile, organza, cotton. For cold weather, try velvet, jacquard, taffeta.

Find curtains fabric in stock

Use our fabric finder to filter by season, look and budget and see what we have in stock. You can also match a shade with the colour finder, or work out quantity with the fabric calculator.