Make buying curtains a breeze with our expert tips and insights.
Curtains. Your passport to privacy, shade and essential in any thoughtfully-styled home. They can turn a tired old room into a cosy hideaway with just a simple swish, all while providing important protection against noise, cold and invasive light.
With so many options to choose from, buying curtains can quickly start to feel like more of a burden than a joyful celebration of your unique home style. From choosing the right fabric and length to knowing the difference between eyelets and pencil pleats — we’re answering all of the most common curtain queries in this comprehensive guide.
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Fabric should always be your first port of call when choosing new curtains. The fabric you choose will affect how well your curtains block light, dampen sound and regulate temperature, as well as how they look when finally hung at your window. Remember to keep both style and practicality in mind, as you want to end up with curtains that look just how you've been dreaming of, while bringing some valuable functional benefits to your home.
While your choice of fabric will have practical impacts on your room, your personal preference is still the bottom line when buying curtains. "Heavier fabrics like velvet and chenille will block light and look luxurious, while lighter cotton and polyblend designs are durable and easy to care for", explains Anna Jones, our resident interior expert. "There's no right or wrong curtain fabric, just the one that's right for you".
With that in mind, here are the most common curtain fabrics you'll likely encounter, along with some unique benefits and potential drawbacks of each:
Cotton
Soft, lightweight and gloriously versatile — cotton is one of the most popular fabrics in the world of curtains and beyond. And with an ability to beautifully translate so many different colours and patterns, it’s the perfect curtain fabric to complement a wide range of interior styles.
Cotton’s natural fibres improve breathability and air circulation, making it a perfect curtain fabric for warmer climates and south-facing rooms. It’s also highly durable, machine-washable, and can offer good insulation when paired with the right curtain lining. As far as negatives go, 100% cotton curtains aren't quite as effective in keeping spaces warm, and are generally more expensive than designs made with synthetic fabrics.
Polyester
Polyester is an extremely strong fabric that’s great for curtains in busy family homes and high-traffic rooms. It’s highly resistant to everything from wrinkles and shrinkage to general wear and tear — allowing it to be cleaned repeatedly while remaining soft and fresh over time.
While less breathable than cotton, polyester curtains provide better insulation in cold climates due to their tight, synthetic weave. Polyester also excels in blocking light, is typically more affordable and can be manufactured to carry a wide range of colours, patterns and textures.
Polycotton
As the name suggests, polycotton fabric is simply a blend of natural cotton and synthetic polyester fibres. It can be manufactured using a variety of ratios, whether a 50-50, 70-30 or 80-20 blend of the two materials. Polycotton is less prone to shrinking, retains colour more effectively and provides an affordable alternative to 100% cotton curtains.
Blending the airy freshness of cotton with the warmth and durability of synthetics weaves, polycotton is the quintessential ‘best of both worlds’ curtains fabric. While generally easy to maintain, it’s important to read the specific care instructions on your polycotton curtains’ label before attempting to clean them at home.
Velvet
If you’re looking for a luxurious window dressing, velvet is one curtain fabric that never fails to make a statement. It drapes elegantly and showcases a full, sumptuous finish when hung — the perfect match if you're seeking an upscale look.
Heavier and thicker than cotton or polycotton, the dense pile of velvet curtains provides great thermal insulation, dampens noise and blocks light with ease. Go with crushed velvet to add some shimmering opulence to your space, or go with a more subtle lustre to create an understated but elegant effect.
Printed
Printed curtains feature patterns and colours that are applied to a pre-woven fabric surface, similar to how ink is printed on paper. We use a digital printing process to make our curtain designs as vivid, precise and captivating as possible.
These designs are typically printed on a base of polyester, cotton or a blend of the two, due to these fabrics' smoothness and ability to make colours pop.
Woven & Jacquard
Woven and jacquard designs are entwined into the fabric of the curtain itself, rather than printed on the surface. They are created by interlacing different coloured threads on a fabric loom, which can be positioned to produce a variety of intricate designs.
Jacquard weaving is a more complex technique which uses a specialised jacquard loom. It allows for more detailed and elaborate designs to be created and woven throughout the curtain’s fabric. Woven and jacquard curtain fabrics are generally higher in quality, more durable and feature a richer, more tangible texture.
We’ve all got a favourite colour, and it can be easy to simply go with your gut feeling when buying curtains for your home. This can often be a successful strategy, but we recommend considering a few more factors before settling on a curtain shade.
Start by thinking about the mood you’re trying to create in your room, and how your new curtains might help bring it to life. Cool colours like blue, green and purple are generally more soothing and best-suited to bedrooms. Warmer hues of orange, yellow and red create a sense of energy which is ideal for more social spaces.
Want to learn more about how colours in the home affect your mood? Read our in-depth guide to colour psychology.
Choosing a pattern or design is one of the most exciting steps in the process of buying curtains. The right curtain pattern can completely transform the atmosphere of a room, complementing your existing décor while bringing your individual style and personality to the fore. When it comes to curtain patterns and designs, there are two main options to choose from:
Plain
Far from boring, plain curtains are a timeless staple of interior style. Whether you’re crafting a vibrant colour scheme or a laid-back minimal one, you can’t go wrong with plain dye curtains at your window.
They’re easy to coordinate with and complement a wide range of interior styles — meaning they’ll withstand any re-style or all-out home makeover you might throw at them.
Patterned
An instant way to bring personality, depth and visual interest to any room — patterned curtains are always an impactful addition. Whether you love a bright and bold motif or something soft and subtle, we've got plenty of stunning and original creations to choose from.
Floral patterns are incredibly versatile, ranging from traditional and quaint to rich and exotic, to dramatically dark and moody.
Abstract motifs are great for bringing a modern and unique touch of artistry into your home. Think squiggly lines, dreamy swirls, or anything unexpected that captures the imagination.
Geometric patterns include everything from stripes and checks to diamonds, triangles and polka-dots. They're great for creating a contemporary look, whether you're craving the impact of sharp edges or the levity of gentle curves.
From increasing their lifespan to giving your room a neat, harmonious look — choosing the right curtain length is crucial. Going too long or short can lead to your entire room feeling awkward and off-balance, so spend some time thinking about which of the following lengths best suits your space.
Once you’ve decided on a general length, our detailed curtain measuring guide will take you through each step of achieving the perfect fit.
Short Curtains
A shorter-length curtain might be the most practical choice for your home, especially if you’ve got kids, pets (or even both) running around.
They usually drop to between 1cm above and 15cm below the windowsill, keeping them safely out of reach from sticky fingers or muddy paws. A shorter length is also ideal if you’ve got a radiator or furniture beneath your window that you don’t want interfering with your curtains.
Floor-Length Curtains
Floor-length curtains are perfect for giving your space that effortlessly sleek and polished look. They tend to drop to 1cm above the floor, or — if you're skilled with a measuring tape — they can lightly graze it.
Aside from adding a modern touch to your space, floor-length curtains provide greater control over temperature, light and privacy when compared to shorter options.
Pooled Curtains
The ‘pooled’ or ‘puddled’ curtain length involves using extra fabric to produce a luxurious gathering effect on the floor. It creates a relaxed and romantic feel, recalling the Victorian tendency to layer up windows with fabric to keep their homes warm.
While certainly a style statement, pooled curtains do require an extra level of maintenance, whether that's keeping the fabric clean or making sure it falls gracefully on the floor. To create this elegant look at your window, simply add 10-20cm to the floor-length measurement of your curtains, depending on just how dramatic of a finish you're feeling.
In curtain terminology, headings simply refer to how the top of a curtain is designed. Each heading type causes the curtains' fabric to gather in a unique way when hung, and determines whether they can be installed on a curtain pole, track or both.
"There's a lot more to curtain headings than style, so it's worth giving your decision some time," Anna explains. "Eyelets are sleek and modern, but they're also the easiest to hang and adjust. Pencil pleats are classy but casual, and give you the freedom to tighten or loosen the heading to your liking”.
Pencil Pleats
Pencil pleats are one of the most popular curtain heading types, due to their casual and versatile look that fits seamlessly with a wide range of interior styles. The heading gets its name from the tightly gathered pleats which run across the top of the fabric, resembling an orderly line of pencils when the curtains are fitted.
You can adjust pencil pleat headings to be as relaxed or tight as you like, providing an extra touch of freedom in how your curtains are styled. They can be hung on either a curtain pole or track, but you'll need curtain rings if hanging pencil pleat curtains on a pole.
Check out our guide to measuring for pencil pleat curtains for a comprehensive guide to finding the perfect fit.
Eyelets
Otherwise known as ring tops, eyelets are the most modern style of curtain heading. They consist of metal rings, known as eyelets, which are sewn along the top of the fabric and can easily be threaded onto a curtain pole. Wide, wavy pleats run down the fabric as a result, creating a relaxed look that’s effortlessly contemporary.
The eyelets are designed to glide seamlessly along the curtain pole, meaning they’re simple to use and less fussy than other heading types. Eyelet curtains can only be hung on a curtain pole, however, so consider buying curtains with a different heading type if you’ve already got a track installed. The eyelets on our curtains measure 40mm, so we recommend using a pole of up to 28mm in diameter to allow for smooth opening and closing.
Think this modern, casual heading might be the perfect match for your home? Learn how to measure for eyelet curtains accurately with our easy-to-follow guide.
One of the most important factors in making curtains look, feel and function exceptionally — don't make the mistake of overlooking linings when buying curtains for your home. Lining is simply an extra layer of fabric sewn into the back of curtains, enhancing their drape, structure and ability to block light or regulate temperature.
We offer two types of curtain lining, each offering a different level of protection against light, sound and temperature changes:
Thermal Blackout
Our thickest and densest curtain lining, thermal blackout offers the very best in light-blocking, heat-saving and noise-reducing technology.
Our thermal blackout curtains are ‘3 pass’, meaning they're backed with a layer of white foam, followed by two layers of an opaque membrane. These curtains offer a complete blackout effect, blocking even the smallest speck of light from finding its way through.
The thermal properties mean this lining will also conserve warmth in your home through winter, while allowing it to escape during warmer summer months. Thermal blackout is the ideal option for light sleepers, shift workers, children or anyone who requires a deliciously dark sleep sanctuary.
Room Darkening
Falling just short of complete darkness, room darkening lining will block a significant amount of light from entering your home. It allows a small amount of light to pass through, resulting in a soft, natural glow which is often preferable for social spaces like kitchens and living rooms.
In the bedroom, room darkening curtains will cause your space to brighten gradually as the sun rises. This can be an ideal option for those who tend to oversleep in the morning, allowing light to gently filter through and encouraging you to wake up naturally.
Whether you’ve gone for airy cotton or luxurious velvet, jazzy and patterned or calming and plain — you’ll still need to fit your curtains once they arrive. While this can feel like an intimidating task, it’s a lot more doable than you might think. The process for hanging curtains varies depending on your chosen heading, so check out our curtain fitting guide for a full breakdown of how to hang each style.
Once your curtains are hanging in your room in all their perfectly-measured glory, take some time to step back and admire your hard work. If you ordered one of our stunning designs or used our tips when making your decision, don’t forget to snap some pictures and tag us on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook.
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