Selecting the right curtains for a hotel or any accommodation space means balancing aesthetics, functionality, and compliance.
From guest rooms and shared areas to bathrooms, each curtain and heading type has its own distinct features.
Here’s our complete guide to help you make an informed choice.
Main Types of Curtains
Window treatments in hotels play a key role in setting the ambiance, enhancing comfort, and improving overall functionality.
By combining multiple curtain types and fabrics across different rods or tracks, you can manage lighting, ensure privacy, improve acoustics, and even boost energy efficiency.
Sheers
Light and decorative, sheer curtains softly filter natural light while creating a calm, soothing atmosphere. They’re ideal for rooms with a view, hotel lobbies, and certain meeting rooms, adding elegance without weighing down the space.
Sheers are usually made from lightweight, airy fabrics like polyester and linen (with a low cotton content), chosen for their graceful drape, ease of care, and elegant texture.
Light-Filtering Curtains
These curtains offer privacy while still allowing some daylight to enter, making them ideal for low-sunlight rooms, lounges, and common areas where a balance between brightness and privacy is needed.
They’re typically crafted from tightly woven fabrics such as cotton, linen, polyester, or jacquard, combining style, durability, and low maintenance.
Blackout Curtains
A must-have in the hospitality industry, blackout curtains block 90% or more of incoming light to ensure optimal sleep quality—hence their popularity in rooms and suites.
They are often made from velvet, blackout canvas, or lined fabrics, and are frequently paired with sheers to allow precise control of natural light.
Other Curtain Types
Beyond standard decorative and functional curtains, some types serve very specific needs. Whether to meet safety regulations, define spaces, or outfit an outdoor terrace, these technical solutions are just as crucial in a hotel’s design strategy.
Outdoor Curtains
These are designed for terraces, balconies, or pergolas. Weather-resistant, they provide sun protection and ensure privacy.
Fire-Retardant Curtains
Compliant with safety standards in the hotel industry, they are mandatory in certain types of accommodations.
Shower Curtains
Essential in bathrooms. Available in various sizes and materials, typically treated to resist mildew.
Divider Panels
Ideal for defining spaces in open environments, separator panels offer both an aesthetic and functional solution. Custom-made, they help create private areas while adding a unique design touch.
Types of Curtain Headings
The curtain heading affects both the look and the functionality of the curtain. It determines how the fabric falls, how easy it is to operate, and how well it complements the rod or track system. The right heading provides the perfect balance of style and practicality.
Rings or grommets
Metal grommets are embedded directly into the fabric, allowing curtains to glide smoothly over an exposed rod. A popular choice for contemporary rooms, they are easy to open and close daily. This type of curtain heading offers the possibility to cover the entire width of a window with a single custom-made panel, ensuring flawless aesthetics.
Ripplefold and Wave Tape
The fabric of the curtains is attached at equal intervals on an invisible rail, ensuring a constant, smooth, and elegant ripple. The difference between “Ripplefold” and “Wave Tape” curtains lies in the attachment method: snap buttons for the former and Velcro tape for the latter. These fastening methods offer a high-end solution, highly sought after in luxury hotels and minimalist environments.
Pleats
In this type of curtain heading, the pleats (several types of pleats are available) are carefully fixed at the top to create a grand effect and a smooth fall. The simple installation with hooks allows for a wall-to-wall design, perfect for elegant spaces.
Taking measurements is easy, and direct installation on the ceiling with rails ensures both aesthetics and functionality. The panels glide smoothly in the rails, and the addition of tiebacks makes it easy to handle them without risking damage to the fabric.
At Textiles Patlin, we offer microflex hooks — adjustable, durable, and machine-washable without damaging the fabric. A definite advantage!
Rod Pocket
The curtain rod slides directly through a top hem. This style creates natural folds and offers a clean, minimalist look — ideal for calm, rustic, or zen-inspired settings.
Tabs
Tabs curtain headings are an elegant and practical option, offering a simple and natural effect. This type of heading consists of fabric tabs, typically sewn into the top of the curtain, through which a rod is inserted. This design allows for easy installation and smooth curtain movement. Ideal for a relaxed style, these headings fit perfectly in modern or more informal settings.
Trust Patlin to Help You Choose the Right Curtains for Your Hotel
In summary, here are some key criteria to consider when choosing curtain types and headings:
- Room function – Guestroom, bathroom, or shared space?
- Privacy level needed – Full blackout or just a decorative touch?
- Frequency of use – Daily opening/closing or fixed curtain?
- Desired style – Modern, classic, rustic?
- Maintenance – Choose washable, durable fabrics.
- Compliance – Fire safety standards may apply.
That said, for truly customized window treatments tailored to your needs, no one offers a more personalized result than Textiles Patlin.
Our turnkey service includes on-site measurement, custom-made fabrication, and professional installation — all delivered on schedule and in line with hospitality standards.