Best Curtain Fabrics for Kiwi Homes: Insulation, Sun Protection & Style
- Written by Tania NaudéRussells Consultant
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When it’s time for new curtains, our in-home style consultant will bring over 3,000 fabric samples to your door. That’s a lot of choice! Colours, textures, patterns… They’re all important to give your room the mood you’d like. But choosing the right fabric is certainly the first step in finding the perfect curtains because they all have different properties.
Every fabric has strengths and weaknesses, from how well it keeps warmth in to how it handles New Zealand’s strong sun. Some are best for insulation, others for light control or sheer style. Understanding these differences will help you choose curtains that not only look great but also perform in your home’s unique conditions.
In this article, we're going to discuss:
Best Curtain Fabrics for Insulation
New Zealand’s climate can be tough on homes — hot summers, cold winters, and plenty of energy loss through windows. Choosing the right curtain fabric is one of the simplest ways to make your home more comfortable year-round.
Velvet
Luxurious and soft, velvet is a heavy fabric. Its density makes it excellent for blocking cold air, and even sound. It’s a popular choice in southern regions or windy areas. This fabric adds both warmth and elegance to a room, especially during winter.
Acrylic
With a wool-like texture, acrylic is lightweight and surprisingly effective at holding in heat. It resists mould and mildew, making it a smart option for coastal areas. Our experts often recommend it for rooms that need insulation without the bulk of heavier fabrics.
Polyester
Durable, easy to maintain, and cost-effective, polyester is one of the most versatile insulating fabrics. When lined or woven with cotton or linen, it creates a thermal barrier that keeps warmth in during winter and heat out during summer. While it’s best avoided in kitchens due to odour absorption and flammability, polyester remains a go-to for family living areas.
Tip
In cold New Zealand homes, well-fitted thermal curtains with quality lining can reduce heat loss through windows by around 40%, particularly when windows are large, single-glazed, or exposed.
Best Curtain Fabrics for New Zealand Harsh Sun
In New Zealand, the sun can be harsh. UV-protective fabrics help protect your furniture, floors, and even your skin. Plus, sun-resistant curtain fabrics are more durable as their colours don’t fade fast under the sunrays.
Polyester
As mentioned earlier, polyester is versatile and low-maintenance. It’s also fade-resistant, which makes it especially well-suited to sun-drenched rooms and north-facing windows that catch all-day sun.
Acrylic
Acrylic’s insulation qualities also extend to sun protection. With strong UV resistance, it’s ideal for coastal homes where sunlight and moisture are tough on fabrics.
Voile
Voile softens strong light and helps protect furnishings from UV rays, but it lacks insulation qualities. This is why our consultants often recommend voile as a layering option for Kiwi homes that want daytime privacy without blocking natural light year-round.
Tip
Rotate your curtain panels on sun-exposed windows. Switching sides spreads UV wear evenly and helps your curtains last longer.
Best Curtain Fabrics to Control Light
Linings don’t just add insulation, they’re one of the best ways to control light in your home. Another way to limit light is with blockout fabrics. Some fabrics won’t block all the light but are great options if you want to welcome natural light while keeping privacy.
Polyester
Beyond insulation and sun protection, polyester can also be lined to create blockout curtains. Our consultants often suggest it for kids’ rooms or homes with pets, thanks to its overall durability.
Velvet
Thick and heavy, velvet has built-in light control and soundproofing properties. This fabric also comes in handy during summer as it can keep a room cooler by blocking peak sun, making it a great option for sun-facing windows.
Brocade
Brocade is a tight woven fabric that offers good light-blocking and adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. It provides solid sun and glare control for North Island homes. As it is an opulent kind of fabric, it is not for every home, but our experts will know whether it suits your interior or not.
Voile and lace
These two fabrics filter light softly, giving your home daytime privacy, a light and airy feel, and some protection for furniture against UV rays. Our consultants know they make a great combination when layered with a heavier curtain in New Zealand homes.
Linen
Linen is a natural fibre with a relaxed look. From lightweight sheers to heavier textures, it offers flexible light control and privacy. In Auckland’s climate, linen provides airflow and a breezy feel, but might need lining if you want to keep sun and glare at bay.
Tip
If you want light-blocking but don’t want a thick curtain, cotton or other tight-weave fabrics can perform well when properly lined. Use double tracks: fit a sheer curtain (like voile or lace) on the front track and a heavier lined curtain behind it. During the day, the sheer provides privacy and natural light, while the lined curtain adds night-time privacy or protects your room from bright sun. A simple layering trick that works well for New Zealand’s changing light conditions, especially in spring.
Fabric's Aesthetics
Some curtain fabrics become a statement piece and really define a room — They can be eye-catching, but often demand a little extra care, especially under New Zealand’s weather conditions.
Silk
Silk is synonymous with luxury – it drapes beautifully and gives spaces like bedrooms or formal dining rooms a romantic aspect. But if you’re after function, it’s not your best pick — it’s dry-clean only, easily damaged by strong sun, and its rich colours can fade quickly. To protect your silk curtains, consider pairing them with a blind or lining.
Rayon
It has a soft, silky drape and breathes better than most synthetics, making it well-suited to the warmer, more humid north of New Zealand. It offers the look and feel of silk but is more affordable. Rayon fabric needs lining to protect against UV and to hold its shape.
Cotton
Cotton is versatile and suits both classic and modern décor styles. Lightweight by nature, it usually needs a lining to hang well and avoid fading in sunny Kiwi homes. As a natural fabric, cotton can also be prone to mould or shrinkage, especially in coastal areas.
Linen
Linen brings a relaxed, airy vibe, and curtains that pool on the floor feel effortlessly elegant. But be warned: pure linen can shift, crease easily, and needs a generous hem, and ideally a lining, to cope with humidity and UV in Aotearoa.
Lace
Lace curtains are light and airy, softening New Zealand’s strong daylight while adding privacy. Their delicate patterns create beautiful shadows when the sun streams through, giving rooms a soft, decorative touch. In Kiwi homes, lace is often paired with heavier drapes.
Velvet
Whether made from natural or synthetic fibres, this fabric brings glamour and richness to a room. But it’s heavy and needs the right space and care to look its best.
Brocade
Brocade is an ornate, woven fabric that gives elegance to a room. It works beautifully in formal rooms or older-style homes where you want a refined look, though it can be stiff and heavy.
Tip
If you’re using silk or linen in a north- or west-facing room, pair them with a lighter-coloured lining or roller blind to help reduce fading and lengthen their life.
Conclusion
Don’t worry if it feels overwhelming at first. Start by asking: which room are the curtains for, and what’s their main purpose? Maybe there’s a secondary purpose too. Style is personal, but colour can set the mood.
Our in-home consultants are experts in fabrics and will help you balance function and aesthetics for every room. With decades of experience fitting curtains in Kiwi homes, our consultants know which fabrics truly perform in New Zealand conditions. Book your free in-home consultation now.
