The 10 Best Fabrics for Curtains & Drapery – Designers’ Styling Tips

In 2026, Blinds and Curtains in Dubai are no longer an afterthought, but they are the defining feature of the room’s aesthetics. Beyond just “dressing up” windows, curtains impact how you feel in the room. The reason is that each fabric affects incoming light, privacy, and room temperature differently, creating a unique ambience. 

In this guide, you learn how to select the best blackout, translucent, and acoustic curtain materials for rooms & outdoors. We will reveal the secrets of decorating or styling with every drapery material.

Top 10 Best Curtain Fabrics For 2026 + Styling Tips

Instead of blindly picking from the popular curtain materials, clearly define your desired home interior goals. Additionally, make sure to buy the drapes from a reputable seller, such as Seal Silence. Ask yourself questions like:

1. How much am I comfortable spending on curtain material and aftercare?

2. How much solitude & sunlight do I ideally want in the place?

3. Is insulation or noise reduction important for me?

Keep your answers in mind as you explore this list of the trendiest curtain materials. 

Silk Curtain Fabric

Ever wondered why most luxury villas have silk curtains? The gleaming sheen & soft pleats of silk are the secrets behind the unspoken elegance.

Beyond beauty, this silk-worm-derived curtain material is popular among sensitive individuals for its hypoallergenic properties. The drapery material keeps debris & humidity out and keeps the temperature tolerable. 

Key consideration: Silk fibers are prone to losing color and should be lined.

Tips For Using Silk Curtains: 

• Get overlong & trailing length silken drapes and mount them close to the roof. 

• For a classy look, get deep-hued (dark green, purple) material and choose metallic accents, such as silver and copper, for a contemporary, urban interior. 

  
  

Velvet Fabric

Velvet transforms uninteresting windows by bringing drama & depth. The heavy velvet fabric flows fluidly and is easy to style. Velvet curtains not only make homes look like expensive hotels, but they also create a serene sleeping environment. The plush fabric acts much like an insulator, covering any gaps through which the heat or AC cooling can escape. Once closed, this rich fabric hides the annoying outdoor light & distant sounds. You get excellent privacy from the nearby building with these draperies.

Essential Tip: Get resilient tracks that can carry the velvet’s weight without bending. 

Ideas For Styling Velvet Curtains:

• Combine textures by layering velvet window dressings with another material, such as linen or hemp.   

• Accessorize the velvet drapes with jewel-toned curtain rods & tie backs.

Linen Fabric Curtains

Many of us grew up having the woven linen curtains in our homes and were fascinated by how they diffused the morning sun, illuminating every corner. Yet linen curtains are still relevant today. This drapery material is a health-friendly & cost-effective investment: the fibers are strong, anti-bacterial, and stain-repellent.

Linen fabric curtains allow a fresh breeze to pass through their open pores, preventing rooms from overheating in 40°C weather. These eco-friendly drapes weigh only 200-250 GSM and offer DIY-friendly installation.

Key Advice: Linen drapes get creases easily and may look odd.

How To Style Linen Curtains:

• Interior experts recommend pairing linen with dense materials.

• Pick textures and even go for embroidered linen panels.

Polyester Fabric

Want long-lasting curtains, but your budget is low? Let us introduce polyester curtains that copy the look of expensive fabrics, such as linen and silk. Wondering which material makes the best room-darkening drapery? Choose polyester. Want to buy sheer curtains at affordable rates? Get polyester chiffon. The curtains offer unbeatable features, such as shape retention (shrink- and stretch-resistant). 

Before You Buy: Get polyester swatches & feel for plastic-like stiffness.

Creative Ways To Style Polyester Curtains:

• Choose a timeless pinch pleat, rod pocket, or wave curtain header to add subtle elegance.

• Add pom-pom, frilled, or lace trims to give curtains a customized look. 

  
  

Voile Curtains

For the lovers of dreamy interiors, voile curtains are the best. These extremely soft and lightly textured material looks unreal and make plain windows charming. The window dressing fabric gives you daytime privacy without taking away the enjoyment of the stunning outdoor views. Much like linen, voile also has open pores that help keep the temperature balanced. 

Tip For Success: Get tighter-weave voile fabric to conceal your interior better.

Best Ways To Hang Voile Curtains:

• Pair see-through voile curtains with room-darkening curtains 

• Instead of plain white, choose bold colors, rich patterns, and even embroidery.

Chenille Curtains

Chenille curtains stand out because of their high “caterpillar-looking” pile. These fuzzy curtains provide much-needed warmth in cold weather, enveloping you in heat. The chenille fibers are highly resistant to breakage, offering good performance even if used roughly.

Pro Tip: Choose chenille yarn that looks consistent for a high-end look.

Designer’s Techniques For Styling Chenille Curtains:

• Chenille drapes look better with deep pleats, so choose them twice or thrice the width of your windows.

• Keep the chenille curtain color neutral (i.e., ivory, sand, or grey) to let the texture stand out.

Nylon Curtains

For high-traffic homes & busy businesses, you would want a curtain material that looks welcoming but does not wear out easily. Nylon fabric provides both. Nylon material curtains are a complete window covering solution for both noon & night and ideal for use in every climate. Its defining feature is that it keeps the room illuminated while providing an incomparable degree of privacy. 

Do Not: Use these flammable nylon fabric curtains for kitchen windows.

Ultimate Guide For Styling Nylon Curtains:

• Nylon curtains should either lightly graze the floors or be half an inch above them. 

• By adding fairy lights to the rod, decorate the nylon fabric curtains. 

Suede Curtains

Suede fabric is ideal for places with noise problems, such as road-facing windows. This extremely dense material absorbs high-pitched sounds, reducing their shrillness. The suede curtains have a unique brushed finish that subtly elevates interiors. 

Suggestion: Avoid draping suede material in damp areas, as it is sensitive to moisture.

Trending Suede Curtain Styling Ideas:

• Suede curtains pair well in rooms with textured sofas and rugs.

• Choose high-volume suede curtains for an elegant look.

Microfiber Curtains

Do you value a few extra minutes of morning sleep & an undisturbed afternoon nap? Get microfiber material curtains that can restrict up to 90% outdoor light from entering your room. Whether your home has pets, kids, or people with allergies, this curtain material is a suitable choice. 

Vital Advice: Microfiber curtains may release microplastics when washed.

Mind-Blowing Ways To Decorate With Microfiber Curtains:

• Pick dark-colored microfiber curtains for maximum light blockage.

• Use tie-backs with microfiber drapes to give them a structured look. 

  
  

Acrylic Material

For outdoor lounging & dining areas where the sunlight is direct, standard curtain fabrics may not survive. You’d need a special material like acrylic.  It stays vibrant & fresh outdoors. This material withstands exposure to Dubai’s blistering UV light while maintaining its color. Acrylic curtain fabric repels raindrops and won’t get damp stains or grow mold. 

Remember: Only choose acrylic material that has been tested to release low VOCs.

Brilliant Ways To Decorate With Acrylic Curtains:

• Get acrylic fabric in earthy colors, like olive or terracotta, to make them blend seamlessly with nature.

• Choose full-length and broad acrylic fabric for curtains for a resort-like feel

Comparison Of The Most Popular Curtains & Drapery Fabrics

Curtain Fabric	Best Room For Use	Maintenance Needed	Cost Consideration
Silk	Living Rooms  Hotel Rooms	High Requires Professional Dry Cleaning	Expensive Costs AED 500+
Velvet	Bedrooms	High Standard Cleaning May Ruin The Pile	Expensive AED 300 – AED 600
Linen	Nurseries Kids Rooms	Moderate Prone To Wrinkling Get Stronger With Use	Budget-Friendly To Expensive Cost Between AED 100 and AED 500
Polyester	Kitchens Bathrooms	Low Resist Wrinkling & Stains	Economical Starting Price: As Low As AED 50
Voile	Dining Areas Hallways	Low Generally Machine Washable	Economical Starting Cost: AED 40 to AED 100
Chenille	Offices Study Rooms	High Attract Pet Hair & Debris Prone To Shrinkage	Mid Range May Cost Around AED 250
Suede	Master Bedrooms Spas	High Cannot Be Washed In Machine Hold Onto Dust	Mid Range Usually Costs AED 200+
Microfiber	Home Offices	Low Needs Less Frequent Cleaning	Economical Ready-made Curtains Starting Range: AED 150
Acrylic	Patios Pergolas Outdoor Restaurants	Moderate Only Require Seasonal Care May Pill	Economical Average Price: AED 100

Conclusion

Curtain fabric determines how functional & aesthetic your room is. In this article, you learned about various natural, synthetic, and blended curtain materials that are rising in popularity in the UAE. We discussed the ideal drapery materials for indoors, outdoors, residential, and commercial places. You also got some professional tips for decorating your curtain material. We hope this guide helped you choose the perfect curtain material.