Etsy's Texture Of The Year Is A Perfect Choice For Curtains

Rather than keeping things simple like Pantone's color of the year or focusing on a singular product like Behr's exterior stain color of the year, Etsy has decided to expand on the tradition of annual trend forecasting by announcing a texture of the year in addition to a color. This makes sense for the online marketplace — after all, a platform known for hosting shops owned by independent artists and creators sees quite a few items being sold, favorited, and purchased every year in tons of different materials, and 2026's pick has seen a major spike in popularity in recent months.

Washed linen is a particularly soft, lived-in, and cozy take on a material that feels both luxurious and natural, and it's clear that Etsy is leaning into the comfortable vibes. Next to its pick for color of the year, Patina Blue, washed linen fleshes out a picture that's all about quiet luxury. It's only possible to get this level of softness from well-loved pieces that are made out of quality materials, so there's a major focus on future heirlooms that are durable enough to stand the test of time and only become better with age.

So how do you style it? Thankfully, linen is one of the easiest materials to work with, especially if you decide to use it to adorn your windows. Whether you're going for a light, billowy look that's perfect for the summer months or want to try out a heavier blend to create more depth, washed linen curtains can work in just about any space.

Let's start with the basics: What is linen? Despite what many people might think, linen actually isn't made of cotton; it's a woven fabric that's made out of flax. It's ultra-breathable, very strong, and even a little bit heavier than cotton. You'll likely see real linen used to make summer clothes because of its breathability and natural ability to pull moisture away from the body, but it's also a very popular fabric to use for home items like towels, bedding, and, of course, curtains.

One of linen's less beloved characteristics, however, is how crisp it can be when it's new. This is great for certain applications and is really just a matter of taste, but if you're going for a more lived-in look, washed linen is likely going to be more appealing than the initial stiffness of natural linen. Washed linen is essentially pre-treated to have the same softness and drape as linen that's been used and washed for years, so it's quite a bit cozier than its freshly woven counterpart.

Linen curtains come in tons of different styles and colors, but because this material is often a lovely off white color naturally, many people choose undyed curtains that showcase the fabric's color and texture. If you're going for a comforting, breezy look or want something that doesn't distract much from the rest of your home's decor, this is a great option. 

In rooms where you want a lot of natural light throughout the day or you plan to use the curtains more for privacy and decor than light blocking, light colors and lightweight, washed linen are perfect. These curtains likely won't be quite as see-through as a sheer polyester fabric, for example, but they'll still let in plenty of soft, diffused light.

That isn't the only choice, however. Linen comes in tons of different colors and weights, which is why it's the timeless curtain material that offers an elegant touch to any home space. Go for a heavier weave in a darker color if you want to block light in your bedroom, a medium weight in a fun shade to add a pop of color to that tiny window in your bathroom, or a sophisticated neutral with just the right amount of light blocking to class up a formal dining room.