Compare curtain fabrics side by side
Pick two or three fabrics and see how they stack up on drape, light control, durability, care and cost — with one honest line on each and a quick recommendation for your room.
Choose 2–3 fabrics (3/3)
| Attribute | Cotton | Linen | Velvet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drape & fall | |||
| Light block / opacity | |||
| Durability | |||
| Care | Machine wash | Dry clean / gentle wash | Dry clean |
| Cost (fabric only) | ₹250–700/m | ₹600–1,800/m | ₹900–2,500/m |
| Best for | Everyday living rooms & kids' rooms | Relaxed, breezy, designer-look rooms | Luxury bedrooms, media rooms, acoustics |
| Honest note | Breathable and easy, but can shrink on the first wash and fades in strong direct sun. | Beautiful natural fall, but it creases easily — that rumpled look is part of the deal. | Sumptuous, heavy and great for blocking light & sound, but it holds dust and needs gentle care. |
Quick recommendation
Most durable
Cotton
Longest life, least fuss
Best value
Cotton
Most durability per rupee
Most luxurious
Velvet
Best drape & richness
Best light block
Velvet
Darkest, best for sleep
For most rooms, Cotton gives the best balance of cost and life. Go with Velvet when the look matters most, or Velvet when blocking light and heat is the priority.
See the fabric in your room with DesignAI
DesignAI styles your shortlisted fabric onto your actual window, light and colour scheme so you can decide with confidence.
Related Guides — Deep-dive reading
Curtain Fabric Guide: Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Polyester & More (India, 2026)
A fabric-by-fabric reference for Indian windows — drape, opacity, care, fade-resistance and real rupee rates — so you choose the cloth before you fall for the colour.
Window TreatmentsBest Curtain Fabrics for Indian Homes (2026)
The verdict guide — the best curtain fabric for every goal: heat, blackout, budget, luxury, low-maintenance and humid coasts, picked for the Indian climate.
Window TreatmentsCurtain Cleaning & Care: Wash, Steam or Dry-Clean? (India 2026)
How to clean every curtain fabric — cotton and poly in the machine, linen with care, velvet and silk at the dry-cleaner, sheers gently — without shrinking or fading, plus a dust schedule built for Indian homes.
Window TreatmentsRelated Tools — You may also find these useful
Luxury Curtain Planner
Generate a complete high-end curtain spec — fabric, heading, layering, hardware and automation — for your room and budget.
PlannerCurtain Cost Calculator
Get the fabric metres you need plus the total curtain cost by window size, fabric, pleat, lining and hardware.
Curtain CalculatorAcoustic Curtain Calculator
Estimate how much noise and echo heavy, full curtains will dampen — and where they help vs where they can't.
Acoustic Tool