A curtain is much more than just a window covering – it’s a way to control light, privacy, and your home’s mood. Here you’ll find a practical guide on how to choose curtain fabric: measuring, fabric types, colours and length, so the result looks beautiful and works in real life too (robot vacuum, pets, everyday care).
1) How to measure curtains: 3 things worth deciding first
Before buying curtain fabric, think through three key points:
- Where will the curtain be fixed? (curtain rod / wall-mounted track / ceiling-mounted track)
- Is the goal decorative or functional? (a sheer day curtain, a blackout/room-darkening curtain, or both layered)
- How full do you want the look? (the pleats/gathers determine how much fabric you need)
A. Measure widths correctly
- Track or rod: measure the full length of the track or rod, not the window’s own width.
- If you want the curtain to “frame” the window and make the room feel more spacious, choose a track/rod wider than the window – ideally extending 15–30 cm beyond the window on both sides. This creates the visual impression of a larger window and a lighter, airier space.
B. Choose the pleat fullness you want
Curtain tapes have different gathering ratios (fullness ratios), and this determines how much fabric you need.
- 1 : 1.5 – a gentle wave, minimalist and modern (works well with thicker fabrics).
- 1 : 2 – classic, the “golden middle” for most homes.
C. Fabric amount formula (simple and practical)
Practical extras to account for:
- Side seam allowance: about +4–10 cm total (depends on finishing).
- Bottom hem allowance: usually +5–10 cm (more for thicker fabrics).
- Top allowance: depends on tape/hooks/channel – typically +5–15 cm.
- Pattern repeat: with large patterns, add extra so the pattern matches nicely between panels.
Quick tip: if you’re between two amounts, choose a little more – the curtain will drape more beautifully and the result will be easier to achieve.
2) Fabric and style: which curtain type suits where
Sheer day curtains (light + airiness)
Voile, light linen, semi-sheer fabric lets light through, softens the view, and keeps the room feeling light. It works especially well in smaller rooms, a Scandi style, and homes where you want the window area to stay bright and airy.
- Plus: the room feels brighter and more spacious.
- Minus: in the evening, when lights are on indoors, privacy may be limited – the best solution is layering: a sheer day curtain + a second layer (decorative or room-darkening curtain).
Decorative curtains (ideal as side curtains)
Cotton, “linen-look” fabric, velvet and jacquard add character and create a clear “frame” for the window. Decorative curtains are a great choice if you want to make the room feel cozier, add a colour/texture accent, or bring in a slightly “hotel-like” finish.
- Plus: warm and cozy, visually tidies up the window area.
- Minus: very heavy or dark fabrics can feel overpowering in a small room – in that case, choose a lighter texture or a lighter shade.
Room-darkening solutions (bedroom, projector room, streetlights)
If you want to control light, choose a darkening fabric based on your needs:
- Room-darkening curtain: noticeably reduces light, while keeping the room feeling soft and “day-like”.
- Blackout curtain: maximum darkness – best if you sleep during the day, strong streetlights shine into the room, or you want to use a projector in the darkest possible space.
3) Light and privacy by location: city vs forest
If you live on the 1st floor in the city (or close to neighbours)
- Daytime: choose a semi-sheer but slightly denser sheer curtain that lets in light but blocks direct views. Great options include a denser tulle or a patterned tulle.
- Evening: add a second layer as side curtains – a decorative curtain or a room-darkening fabric, because when it’s dark outside, the view from the outside is often clearer.
- Colour and texture: lighter shades keep the room feeling open, but for privacy, a textured fabric (linen/structured) usually works better than a very glassy, transparent material.
If you live in a dark forest (or daylight is limited)
- Daytime: prefer fabrics that let through as much light as possible (thin voile, light linen) so you don’t lose valuable natural light.
- Evening: for coziness, choose an “evening layer” in a warmer tone (beige, sand, caramel, warm grey). This can be a lightly see-through decorative fabric or a darkening solution – depending on whether you need more privacy or better sleep.
- Avoid: very heavy and dark fabrics over large areas if your goal is to make the room brighter and more spacious.
View outside and pattern choice:
If the view outside is visually “busy” (lots of details: buildings, branches, traffic), the curtain can be a calming element – usually solid colours or large-scale patterns work best. If the view is calm (even greenery, open sky), you can more confidently add a denser pattern or more character with the curtain.
4) Colour choices: what a tone does to a room
A simple interior rule: colour choice = light + mood + room proportions.
Light tones (white, ivory, sand, light grey)
A light curtain is a safe choice if you want to visually open up the space and keep the overall feel airy.
- Creates a sense of space and works especially well in smaller rooms.
- Softens contrasts and is easy to match with existing décor.
- If you fear “hospital white”, choose a warm white or creamy shade for a softer, cozier result.
Dark tones (dark grey, navy, forest green, chocolate)
A dark curtain adds depth and a finished feel – especially in evening light.
- Creates coziness and depth, often with a “hotel-like” luxurious look.
- Works well in larger rooms or when you want the window to be a clear focal point.
- Practical plus: dust and small marks are less noticeable on dark fabrics.
Warm vs cool tones
- Warm tones (beige, sand, terracotta, warm grey) create a cozy, soft feel and work especially well where daylight is cooler (e.g., north-facing windows).
- Cool tones (blue-grey, cool white, cool green) feel fresh and calm, and work well in very sunny rooms or modern interiors.
Quick tip: if the walls and floors are “cool” (concrete, greys, crisp white), a warmer curtain tone balances the room quickly. If the room is already very warm (lots of wood and yellowish tones), a cooler curtain can add the needed “breathing space” and freshness.
5) Curtain length: suitability and benefits
On Abakhan curtain fabrics, the fabric width is listed on the product page – this is also the curtain height (from top to bottom). Often the bottom edge already has a finished detail (e.g., a weighted tape or a wavy edge), so choose a fabric that covers your desired height and keeps the hem intact. Usually, you can shorten the curtain from the top, but if the top already has finished loops/holes, it’s not always possible without affecting the look.
To the windowsill
Works well if…
- it’s a kitchen or there’s frequent activity under the window (desk, dining table)
- there’s a radiator/convector under the window and a long curtain would get in the way
- you want a solution that doesn’t get dirty easily
Benefits
- very practical and easy to care for
- doesn’t collect floor dust, doesn’t snag, and stays out of the way
- great for smaller rooms where you don’t need “long draping”
Below the windowsill (5–15 cm)
Works well if…
- you want a softer, more finished look than exactly to the sill
- there’s free wall space below the sill and the curtain can be slightly longer
- you have kids/pets, but floor length feels too risky
Benefits
- looks more elegant than exactly to the sill
- still easy to care for and doesn’t collect dust/pet hair from the floor
- drapes nicely without “living” on the floor
Floor length (1–2 cm above the floor)
Works well if…
- you want the most classic “interior designer” look
- you want the room to feel taller and the window area more polished
- you have a robot vacuum or pets and want to avoid snagging/hair build-up
Benefits
- the cleanest, most elegant line: visually unifies the space
- creates a “frame” for the window and often looks more premium/finished
- 1–2 cm up: the robot won’t pull the fabric, and the hem collects less dust, hair, and paw marks
Puddling on the floor (puddle)
Works well if…
- you want a romantic, luxurious, boutique-hotel style
- there isn’t heavy foot traffic in front of the window
- you’re okay with a bit more care (and more frequent cleaning)
Benefits
- creates the softest and most dramatic effect
- hides small wall/window imperfections and gives a styled finish
- especially great for a bedroom or a formal living room where practicality isn’t #1
(Practical note: if you have a robot vacuum or lots of pet hair, this is usually the most annoying option.)
6) Small details that add a lot
Curtain tape and hooks
The right tape determines how beautiful the pleats are and how the curtain drapes. The same fabric can look completely different with a different tape.
Weights in the bottom hem
Especially useful for thin and floaty fabrics, so the curtain hangs straight, doesn’t twist at the edges, and drapes beautifully.
Layering
A sheer day curtain + a decorative or darkening curtain is the most flexible solution – keep the room bright during the day, and add privacy and mood in the evening.