The Once-Popular Curtain Material That Designers Are Avoiding In 2026

Curtains are kind of like the secret agents of interior design. While they may not be immediately noticeable, they can have a huge impact on the overall look of a room. Therefore, if you want your space to feel fresh and up-to-date, it is important to keep an eye on which curtain trends are gaining popularity and which ones are going by the wayside. As we dive into the new year, there are two key curtain styles that have been singled out by designers as ones you may want to avoid because they have now started to feel outdated — plain linen curtains and simple cotton ones. 

While linen curtains have reportedly been in use since ancient times, the straightforward, undecorated version has been popular in recent years due to the rise of earth tones and the "clean," minimalist aesthetic. And cotton curtains have long been preferred by many homeowners for their warmth and overall versatility. However, both of these modest curtain choices have now begun to feel too boring and basic due to the latest shift in interior design toward more complex textures, deep jewel-toned colors, and an overall sense of presence and luxury. For example, interior designer Debbie Mathews, from Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs, has explained to Better Homes & Gardens that she is "seeing and designing drapery made of velvet, mohair, wool, sheer wool, silk, and raw silk—materials that add depth and luxury to a space." As such, those sleek linen or cotton curtains featuring one simple color now feel a little like yesterday's news. But if your interior spaces are styled around your unadorned curtains, how can you say goodbye, boring curtains and make the shift to a more trendy option while keeping a seamless, authentic feel throughout your home?

If you've been used to your taupe, gray or cream linen or cotton curtains, then shifting to a deep velvet green or a shimmery silk can feel a little daunting. However, there are a few useful approaches that can help you style these eye-catching alternatives without making your home feel too busy or overwhelming. One practice that has become hugely popular in recent years is color drenching. By using a single luxurious shade in everything from the ceiling to the curtains, the furniture, and even the crown molding, the colors you incorporate into your living room will feel glamorous and purposeful rather than overly intense. Using this technique, you can opt for rich, textured curtains that quite literally blend into the rest of the room and feel as if they have always belonged there.

If you don't like the idea of drenching your space in one color but want to opt for modern, textured curtains in place of simple cotton or linen ones, then you can actually choose to make the curtains the star of the show. By selecting a visually interesting texture, such as these Ethan Modern Luxury Velvet Textured Curtains from Discover Curtains, you can treat the fabric's surface like a pattern. To do this, find other pieces such as rugs, pillows, or vases that match different tones in the fabric, making the overall space feel cohesive and tied together. To add even more modern visual interest, try combining a loose, luxurious curtain texture like velvet or silk with a smaller, busier pattern like paisley. This can work as an effective way to pair patterns so they don't clash and make your curtain choice feel modern, fitting, and stylish all at once.