What Drapery Fabrics Hang the Best?

Lovely Linens

• The crisp, cool snap of linen evokes the feel of the perfect summer days. In the form of draperies, linen achieves this same effect, making it an ideal choice to breathe new life into a room. While linen drapes can vary in appearance depending on weave, all add natural luster and casual elegance to any room through their appealing drape. With everything from Roman blinds to heavy lined curtains, linen achieves a soft and natural look. As an added bonus, homeowners focused on green living can feel good about choosing linen, which is durable, requires limited washing and is completely biodegradable.

Sophisticated Silks

• The ultimate in luxe, silk curtains are irresistibly refined, and bring to your home an unparalleled element of sophistication. This crisp, textured fabric has been a favorite of prominent interior designers for centuries, in no small part because of its phenomenal drape. Silk curtains are lightweight enough to hang on a standard curtain rod, but heavy enough to bring significant presence to a room. No room is as transformed as when light penetrates silk, resulting in an extraordinary interplay of color.

Lavish Velvets

• Velvet curtains are stunningly sumptuous, and bring to mind rich castles, Victorian parlors and the ultimate in extravagance. While many people also associate velvet curtains with stuffiness, this is not the case when they are carefully chosen and well-maintained. Velvet curtains achieve a dense and beautiful drape which adds weight and presence to any room. They are also useful for insulating against cold weather and moisture, while blocking dust and dirt from entering the room. Through their formidable drape, velvet curtains add rich color, texture, depth and luster to an interior.

Making Your Choice

• It can be easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing window treatments because there are so many choices. Off-the-shelf curtains are increasingly available in a variety of styles, fabrics and colors, but custom-made draperies remain the ideal selection for homeowners unwilling to settle for anything less than the best. When making your choice, experts recommend holding the fabric -- at least two yards' worth -- up to your window and letting it drape: It should cascade to the ground, not flare outward. The drape you are holding up will look like the same drape you'll achieve when the curtains are mounted in your home.