Should I get linen or velvet curtains?

Linen and velvet curtains shift the mood of a room in opposite directions, so seeing each in your actual window is the clearest way to choose.

Linen curtains are casual, airy, and relaxed. They hang loosely, crease naturally, and let a soft glow of light through even when closed. They suit rooms that feel warm, lived-in, and informal, and they are very forgiving in rooms that already have a lot going on in terms of furniture and color.

Velvet curtains are rich, heavy, and formal. They fall in deep folds, absorb light at the surface, and add a sense of enclosure and luxury to a room. They are the curtain that makes a living room feel finished rather than functional. In a bedroom they add quiet and warmth; in a dining room they bring a sense of occasion. The trade-off is that they read as more of a statement and require less competition from the rest of the room to work well.

Seeing each fabric on your window wall in your actual light is the only way to know which one is right. DecorViz lets you preview linen and velvet curtains on the same room photo and compare how each changes the feel of the space. Related answers: patterned or solid curtains and sheer or blackout curtains.