The fabric you choose can define your curtains’ mood, whether they read casual or formal or feminine or sleek. There are fabrics that resemble translucent, windswept Italian-villa gauze and heavier ones optimized to block light or heat.
Strategist senior editor Liza Corsillo likes inexpensive cotton curtains that hang from a rod so they “kisses” the floor (rather than drag or trap dust and radiator drips). She washes them often to remove pet hair, too.
Texture
Color, pattern and texture give fabric its personality when fashioned into drapery. Often, it’s pattern that speaks the loudest. Other times, it’s the texture that stands out—think rough weave or varied surface. In many cases, the look and feel of a fabric will have a more subtle impact on room design than its color or pattern.
Texture is one of the most important factors in choosing white textured curtains for your home. Some fabrics, like silk, have a timeless luster and elegance that adds beauty to any room, while others, like wool, are incredibly soft to the touch, yet durable enough to last for decades.
Then there are other textured fabrics, like cotton and Linen blackout curtains, that offer a natural feel with a relaxed look. These drapes provide an air of casual sophistication that pairs perfectly with modern, contemporary and traditional styles.
In addition, there are woven jacquards that offer a richer, more intricate style. From off white to gulf blue and grain brown, these fabrics feature a range of hues that will complement any decor scheme.
Graber’s experts research style trends and select fabric that has the potential to stand the test of time. This means that even if you choose a Traditional or Modern style, your drapes will likely still look fresh years from now.
Color
A white textured curtain offers a sophisticated style that goes well with any color in your home. The light drapery material lets in sunlight and adds soft dimension to your windows. Pair them with stately hardware in matching or complementary colors for a unified look.
There are some common mistakes people make when choosing curtains, especially regarding color. For example, a green shade might seem appealing in theory, but it may not work in the space as a whole if not coordinated correctly with the rest of the room’s hues. Moreover, darker shades can be visually overwhelming and are more likely to show dirt and stains than lighter options.
For that reason, it’s important to test out a color of fabric in your space before making a final decision. You can do this by ordering samples and displaying them on the windows to see how they look. This helps you to avoid spending money on a curtain that doesn’t match your room. In addition, you can also use a sample to help determine how much fabric you will need for your window. This way, you can order the correct amount of curtain and get it to your door quickly. Then, you can enjoy the beauty of your new curtain panels for years to come.
Length
The length of your curtains can make or break the look of a room. The trick is getting them just right. Professional designers agree on one hard-and-fast rule: Curtains should graze the floor or hover 1/2 inch above it. This creates a tailored, polished vibe that works well in spaces that see lots of opening and closing (like living rooms), as the fabric will easily fold back and settle into place with each motion.
Longer drapes also work well as a way to separate a space from the rest of the room. Megan Hersch, an interior designer who runs the online design service RoomLift, says she likes to hang them a little higher than the frame and 2-3 inches below the crown molding so windows feel bigger and ceilings taller.
To get the best look, choose a fabric that will work with your existing furniture and carpeting. For formal spaces, there are options like lustrous silk and velvet (both of which are dry-clean only), while cotton and cotton blends complement more casual decor styles.
If you don’t have a sewing machine or want to avoid the expense of a tailor, consider ready-made panels that come in lengths from 63 to 144 inches. Many are also machine-washable for easy care. Our picks include a set of thermal curtains with a classic flat heading that’s easy to operate via rings stitched into the top hem or drapery hooks, and this set of textured striped polyester curtains that boast an insulating microfiber layer sandwiched between two black yarn layers to keep rooms cool and dark.
Header
The top hem of a curtain is known as its heading, and it can play a big role in the overall look and feel of the drapes. It can also influence how well the fabric hangs. There are a lot of options to choose from, and the type you select can depend on whether you want the curtains to blend or pop, for example.
The flat heading on this pair of textured white curtains creates a tailored and structured look that works well for a formal space. It’s a great choice for a window where you don’t want the fabric to extend past the window frame on each side, and it gives the illusion that the curtain is much wider than it really is. This style can also be a good option for wide windows that don’t require long drapes to block light.
You can use a grommet header to hang the curtains from a rod, or you can choose to hang them with ties or drapery hooks (both are included). We recommend choosing the latter because it makes opening and closing the curtains a breeze; just grab the ties and loop them around the grommets.
Conclusion:
The textured polyester fabric of this set of blackout curtains adds dimension and elevates the look of any window. They have a black yarn layer sandwiched between two microfiber layers to keep the sun out and reduce noise, plus grommets that accept 1.6-inch rods. They’re the go-to choice of Dani Mulhearn, a senior designer at online interior-design service Havenly; she likes that they block light and insulate the room, even when they’re open.
