Are your curtains ready for the summer?
Summer is associated with white, cotton, the beach, and the sun. In Australia, the average temperature during summertime often exceeds 35 °C. A secret to a comfortable home – despite the incoming hot weather – lies in your window treatment. If the look of curtains appeals to you, choosing the best fabrics for summer curtains is the first step.
Choose a Curtain to suit the Home
Summer curtains complement the overall design of a well-lived home. The shape and total effect when hung up depend to a large extent on the type of fabric. But keeping aesthetics and fashion aside, summer curtains are customised to suit the functionality of the season. Your primary concern is to shield your room and furniture from sunlight. Choosing the best fabrics for summer curtains is a wise move.
What is the Best Fabric for Summer Curtains?
Different types of fabrics serve various purposes. How do you choose the best curtain fabric for summer? Focus on the primary purpose of your window treatment. Do you want to block the sunlight? Or do you want just a little bit of light to pass through?
What to Consider when Buying Fabrics for Summer Curtains
Like all the other elements in the house, summer curtains have their share in the spotlight – at least from a windows point of view. Before spending your hard-earned money, let us take a closer look at the factors to consider when buying fabrics for summer curtains.
Durability
Some fabrics may look attractive, but do not stand the test of time. If you plan to change curtains every season, you might as well throw all caution to the wind and buy the most eye-catching fabric. However, it would be wise to choose materials that can withstand the wear and tear of any season.
Maintenance
Some fabrics like silk and velvet require dry cleaning. Meanwhile, cotton and linen can be washed and dried at home. Choose materials that are easy to maintain if you want to be practical.
Size and Style
Consider the size of the window or door. Is it wide or narrow? Heavy fabrics are best suited for large windows or doors because they do not move too much when air enters the room.
Affordability
Of course, every fabric has its price, so choose materials within your budget. Fortunately, cotton and linen work best as summer curtains and are friendly on the pocket.
Functionality
It depends on the type of room. The bedroom (especially kids’ rooms) would require a thick fabric to block the sun. The living room would look bright and cheery with light-coloured fabrics. You may choose sheer for the kitchen to let sunlight pass through.
Cooling Factor
Cotton and linen fabrics do a great job in keeping room temperature cool to combat the hot sunlight.
Weave
Familiarise yourself with the thread count of the fabrics to help serve your purpose. For example, loosely woven fabrics let sunlight pass through, while tightly woven fabrics do otherwise. Ask your curtain designer to help you choose according to your style and needs.
Which Curtain Fabrics Work Best for Warm Months?
Each type of fabric has its purpose depending upon weight, texture, weave count, and durability. The most common types of material that we recommend for warm months are cotton, linen, silk, polyester, rayon, acrylic, lace, and voile.
Cotton
The summer season is associated with cotton – and with good reason. A piece of cotton fabric is lightweight, crisp, and clean looking. The versatility is unmatched since it fits both modern and traditional styles. Check out tightly woven cotton fabric to block out the sun’s rays. It provides a cooling effect to the room. Cotton is the easiest to maintain among other types of material.
Linen
Linen does not block sunlight. It provides an airy and casual look. Linen is a good choice if you are a fan of curtains touching the floor. It looks stylish and elegant while pooling on the floor. A word of caution, though: Linen requires dry cleaning to serve its purpose.
Silk
Nothing beats silk when it comes to sophistication. It provides a romantic ambience. However, this type of fabric easily gets damaged when exposed to sunlight. You may use silk fabric for bedrooms that are unexposed to sunlight. Like linen, silk requires dry cleaning.
Polyester
Polyester is affordable and easy to maintain. It does not stretch or shrink. But this fabric is flammable, so it is not a good choice for the kitchen. If you want a sophisticated look for the living room and bedroom, choose a silk-like polyester fabric to get the best of both worlds.
Acrylic
This lightweight fabric offers comfort as it provides good insulation. In addition, it is an excellent choice for people susceptible to allergies since it is hypoallergenic and mould resistant.
Rayon
The soft and breathable texture makes it a good partner for linen.
Lace
Lace looks traditional and elegant but may not provide the privacy that you deserve. It is expensive and may require dry cleaning. It is combined with a heavy material to diffuse natural light.
Voile
Voile offers a crisp and excellent choice to utilise for sheers. Like cotton, sheers are synonymous with summer. But unlike cotton, sheers are not durable.
Which curtain material is best for summer?
A happy marriage of style and functionality makes a good curtain material for summer. You may choose the colour and pattern that match the summer look of your room. Always remember that light colour repels light, while dark colour absorbs it. Choose white or any light-coloured fabric to get your daily dose of sunlight and dark-coloured fabrics in bedrooms to get a much-needed rest.
Also, consider the room ambience. Is it a quiet place to relax and meditate? Or is it a happy place to gather friends and guests? The mood influences your choice of fabric, style, and colour.
Get a Free Quote and In-House Measurement in the Comforts of Your Home
Heritage Blinds and Shutters provide expert advice on interior decorating ideas and products to suit your furnishing needs. We customise blinds, curtains, and shutters to suit your impeccable taste. Contact our friendly and experienced salespeople to assist you. Call us on (02)4958 4336 or fill in our form and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.
