Linen vs. Cotton Curtains
Choosing new curtains is such an exciting moment. It’s a chance to frame your windows, add a splash of colour, or introduce a wonderful new texture to your room. When you start exploring different fabrics, two of the most popular choices you’ll come across are linen and cotton. Both make absolutely brilliant curtains, but they offer quite different looks and feels.
So, the big question is: linen or cotton curtains? Let’s dive into the worlds of linen curtains and cotton curtains and figure out which one will make your windows (and you) happiest.
Linen Curtains
There’s something truly special about linen curtains. Made from the fibres of the flax plant, linen has a unique, natural texture that brings an effortlessly relaxed and sophisticated feel to any room.
Linen drapes beautifully, hanging with a soft, reassuring weight that feels both elegant and lived-in. When it comes to light, unlined linen doesn't completely block it out but filters it gently, filling your room with a soft, diffused glow that’s lovely on a sunny morning. If you love a relaxed, textural look with a touch of understated luxury, linen could be the one for you.
Cotton Curtains
Cotton curtains are made from the soft fibres of the cotton plant. Cotton offers a smoother, more uniform appearance compared to the natural texture of linen, and it’s a fabric we all know and love.
One of the great things about cotton is its versatility. It can be woven in different ways to create different finishes, and it takes colour beautifully, offering a huge range of possibilities from bright whites to deep, rich shades.
Cotton curtains offer a slightly greater opacity than unlined linen, providing excellent privacy while still feeling soft and inviting. They drape nicely and are generally very easy to care for. If you’re looking for a smooth finish, great colour options, and a fabric that feels instantly soft and practical, cotton is a brilliant contender.
Linen vs Cotton Curtains
Okay, let's put them side-by-side to make the linen vs cotton curtains choice a little easier:
Texture
Linen has a distinct, natural, slightly uneven texture with visible slubs.
Cotton is generally much smoother and more uniform.
Drape
Linen often has a heavier, more fluid drape that hangs beautifully in soft folds.
Cotton drapes nicely too, but can sometimes feel a little lighter or crisper depending on the weave.
Light Filtering
Unlined linen filters light softly, creating a gentle glow.
Cotton can offer more light blocking depending on the weave and colour, often providing greater privacy. (For maximum light blocking, you'd look at lined or blackout options in either fabric).
Look and Feel
Linen offers a relaxed, sophisticated, slightly rustic charm.
Cotton provides a cleaner, smoother, more classic look that can feel either crisp or soft.
Care
Both are relatively easy to care for and can be washed at home.
Linen is famously prone to creasing (which we think adds to its charm), while cotton can be ironed for a crisper finish if desired.
You can find detailed advice in our caring for curtains guide.
How to Choose Between Linen or Cotton Curtains
Still tossing and turning? Here’s a simple way to think about it:
Choose Linen Curtains if:
You love a natural, relaxed, slightly imperfect texture.
You want a sophisticated drape that feels weighty and luxurious.
You like soft, diffused natural light rather than a complete block-out.
You appreciate fabrics that get better and softer with age.
Choose Cotton Curtains if:
You prefer a smoother, more uniform fabric finish.
You want a wide range of colour options.
You like a versatile fabric that can feel either crisp or soft.
You want good privacy and light filtering from an unlined curtain.
Getting it Just Right
Both linen curtains and cotton curtains are excellent choices, made from beautiful natural fibres. The best one for you really comes down to the look and feel you prefer for your home.
Whichever you choose, getting the measurements spot on will give you the perfect finish, and our simple measuring for curtains guide is here to help.
