How Do I Choose the Right Fabric for My Curtains? FAQs

Start with how you want the room to feel and how you use it day to day. PeterJohn Interiors helps clients think about style, privacy, light, warmth and how formal or relaxed the finished curtains should look before narrowing down fabric options.

It depends on the purpose of the space and the look you want to create. Lighter fabrics can suit brighter living areas, while richer or more textured options such as linen, wool or velvet can add softness, warmth and character in lounges, bedrooms and statement rooms.

Fabric choice makes a big difference to how much light enters the room and how the curtains hang. If you want better light control, PeterJohn Interiors can pair your chosen fabric with practical lining options such as blackout linings, which are especially useful in bedrooms and sunny spaces.

Yes, because lining changes how the curtain performs as well as how it looks. PeterJohn Interiors offers options including standard, blackout and interlined finishes, helping homeowners improve privacy, insulation and the overall body of the curtain without compromising the fabric they love.

That usually comes down to how much visual detail is already in the room. If your space already has strong wallpaper, furniture or accessories, a plain or subtle texture may work best, while a patterned fabric can become a focal point in a simpler scheme.

Not always, although heavier fabrics can create a fuller, more traditional look and often feel luxurious. Lighter options can work beautifully too, especially when the goal is a softer, more relaxed finish or when you want the curtains to feel less formal in everyday family spaces.

Look at the wider scheme rather than choosing the fabric in isolation. PeterJohn Interiors has hundreds of fabric and wallpaper sample books across its Aylesbury and Berkhamsted showrooms, making it easier to compare colours, textures and patterns against the style you want for the room.

Yes, especially when fabric choice is combined with the right lining. PeterJohn Interiors highlights practical benefits such as insulation and draught reduction, so the finished curtains do more than look attractive; they can also help make a room feel warmer, softer and more comfortable.

Seeing samples in person is usually the easier way to make a confident decision because colour, texture and weight can feel very different in real life. PeterJohn Interiors encourages clients to visit the showrooms, browse sample books and even take some home so choices can be viewed in the actual space.

PeterJohn Interiors offers a personal, made-to-measure service that starts with advice and can include a complimentary consultation, site visit, expert guidance and fitting. With Sarah’s design experience, local workrooms and a wide supplier range, the team can help you choose curtain fabric that suits both your home and how you live.