Velvet vs. Linen Curtains: How to Choose by Look and Light
Quick answer: Choose by the look you want first, then confirm the real configuration separately — because the fabric name alone doesn't decide light control. "Velvet" is a pile construction (a surface, not a fiber), while "linen" is a fiber — flax — so the names describe different things, and "linen-look" doesn't guarantee any linen content: Deconovo's Vivianne is a 100% polyester Dutch velvet, and Olivia is an 80% polyester / 20% flax linen blend, not pure linen. How dark a room gets depends on the selected lining, coverage, and installation, not on "velvet vs. linen." Use the look to narrow your choice, then verify fiber, lining options, light control, price per panel, and care for the exact product before ordering. Here's how to decide between the two.
Are velvet and linen curtains comparable fabric categories?
Not in the way the names suggest. "Velvet" is a weave and pile — a dense surface with a soft nap and a sheen that shifts with the light — while "linen" refers to a fiber and its texture. That means they aren't opposites on a single scale, and neither category name alone tells you a finished curtain's full composition and lining. Vivianne is a velvet made from 100% polyester; Olivia is a linen-blend (80% polyester, 20% flax linen), which is not the same as pure linen. So "velvet vs. linen" is really a choice between two looks and constructions, each of which can be configured for more or less light control. For the broader background on how fabric type, weight, and weave affect curtains, see our curtain fabric guide; this article focuses on choosing between these two specific styles.
Which look fits your room: velvet pile or linen texture?
Start with the visual, because this is where the two genuinely differ. Velvet reads as rich and formal: a plush, light-absorbing surface with a sheen that changes as you move past it, and a structured drape that suits dramatic or cozy rooms. Linen-blend reads as relaxed and textured: a natural-looking weave with a softer, more casual drape that suits bright, understated spaces. This is a style preference, not a performance ranking — neither look is objectively "better," and velvet is not always the heavier fabric: in this pair, Vivianne is 240 GSM and Olivia is 350 GSM, so a higher weight doesn't track with "velvet" or with a darker or warmer room. If you love the velvet look, our styling guide to velvet drapes has room ideas; if you lean toward the linen feel, our guide to selecting linen fabric goes deeper.
Can either style meet your light-control needs?
Often yes — but through configuration, not the fabric name. Olivia's base curtain provides room darkening, and an available lining can be selected at order time where shown in its configurator; Vivianne requires a lining selection, and its room darkness depends on the fabric, the lining you choose, coverage, and installation. Choosing "No Lining" (on Olivia) means an unlined panel for a softer look — it does not mean the fabric is see-through. In other words, both can be set up for more or less darkness depending on the options you pick, and neither "velvet" nor "linen" guarantees a result on its own. Decide how dark you need the room to be (gentle softening, strong room-darkening, or maximum darkness for sleep), then check which lining options each product actually offers and confirm them in the configurator — because the same fabric can land very differently once the lining and coverage are set.
How do Olivia and Vivianne differ in actual configuration?
Here is a like-for-like comparison of the two specific products, based on their current product pages:
| Attribute | Vivianne (Dutch velvet) | Olivia (linen blend) |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 100% polyester velvet | 80% polyester, 20% flax linen |
| Fabric weight | 240 GSM (heavyweight velvet) | 350 GSM (textured blend) |
| Lining | A lining selection is required (no "No Lining" option) | Choose "No Lining" or an available paid lining |
| Light control | Depends on the fabric, selected lining, coverage, and installation | Base curtain is room-darkening; an available lining can be selected at order time |
| Look | Velvet pile with a shifting sheen | Linen-blend texture with a natural drape |
| Care | Follow the product's care label | Follow the product's care label |
| Price & quantity | Configured price per panel; choose quantity 2 for two panels | Configured price per panel; choose quantity 2 for two panels |
Note that a higher GSM is not a ranking: Olivia's 350 GSM and Vivianne's 240 GSM describe different fabrics, not "more blackout" or "warmer." On both products, the Selection line in the cart is the customization charge for the curtain, not an extra panel.
Which option fits your priorities—and when does it not?
Two shoppers, same decision, different answers:
- Case A — a formal living room, wants a dramatic look and is flexible on lining: Vivianne fits the brief. Its velvet pile and sheen deliver the formal look, and because a lining is required anyway, the shopper selects the lining that matches how dark they want the room. This is not the pick for someone who specifically wants an unlined panel — Vivianne has no "No Lining" option.
- Case B — a bright bedroom, wants a natural texture and the choice to go unlined or add blackout: Olivia fits. The shopper can choose "No Lining" for a softer, textured look, or select an available lining at order time for more darkness. This is not the pick for someone set on a true velvet surface and sheen.
Neither is a universal winner; the right choice is whichever look you prefer once you've matched the lining to your light-control need.
What should you verify before placing a custom order?
Before ordering either made-to-measure panel, confirm the details on the product page and in the configurator: fiber and weight (Vivianne 100% polyester velvet, 240 GSM; Olivia 80/20 blend, 350 GSM), lining options (Vivianne requires a lining; Olivia offers "No Lining" or a paid option), light control for your selected configuration, and price and quantity (the starting price is a per-panel base price — complete the heading, dimensions, and extras to see your configured price, and choose quantity 2 for two matching panels). For made-to-order terms, read each product's care label and refund policy. A fabric swatch is worth ordering if color and texture matter to you before committing; when you're ready, start from the custom curtains collection.
FAQ
Are velvet curtains always more blackout than linen curtains?
No. Light control depends on the lining, coverage, and installation, not on "velvet" or "linen." Olivia's base is room-darkening, with an available lining you can select at order time; Vivianne's darkness depends on the lining you select. Configure for the darkness you need and verify it on the product page.
Is a linen-blend curtain the same as pure linen?
No. Olivia is a blend of 80% polyester and 20% flax linen, which looks and behaves differently from 100% linen. "Linen" in the name refers to one component of the blend, so check the stated fiber content rather than the name.
Does every velvet curtain use the same fiber?
No. Velvet describes a weave and pile, not a fiber, so the material varies by product. Deconovo's Vivianne is a 100% polyester velvet — always check the specific product's fiber content rather than assuming all velvet is the same.
Can I order Olivia and Vivianne without lining?
Olivia offers a "No Lining" option (or an available paid lining). Vivianne requires a lining selection and has no "No Lining" option. If you specifically want an unlined panel, Olivia is the one that supports it.
Does the listed base price cover two panels?
No. The starting price is a per-panel base price; complete the configuration to see your price per panel, and choose quantity 2 for two matching panels. The "Selection" line in the cart is the customization charge for the curtain, not an extra panel.
Compare both in the custom curtains collection. Deconovo makes curtains with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified fabrics and is trusted in 21,000,000+ homes worldwide.
