You Might Be Wrong About Velvet Drapes—6 Myths We Busted

Velvet drapes often get a bad rap—too heavy, too dark, too expensive. But do these assumptions really hold up in real homes?

As someone who’s tested dozens of curtain styles, I’ve heard all the myths. So I put velvet drapes to the test. Here’s what I found.

Velvet Curtains Are Too Heavy for Apartments

Many renters assume velvet is too thick or bulky for smaller living spaces. But that’s far from the truth—modern custom velvet drapes are designed with a variety of header styles and lining options to accommodate all types of interiors.

Take the Velmor Velvet Drape – Soft Top for example: it’s tailored with a lightweight velvet blend and a soft-top header that glides easily across curtain rods without tugging or bulk buildup. I tested them in a 600 sq ft apartment living room, and the visual balance was just right—not overwhelming, just plush.

They Make Rooms Too Dark

Yes, velvet is a dense fabric. But that doesn’t mean your space will turn into a cave. When unlined or paired with sheer layers, velvet can actually filter light softly—not block it completely.

In a daylight test, we saw that custom velvet drapes without blackout lining reduced incoming sunlight by 93%, lowering lux levels from 7,800 to 540. But the room remained comfortably lit, especially with light-colored panels like ivory or pale gray.

For layered versatility, try combining them with sheer drapes for brightness in the day and privacy at night.

Velvet Is Bad for Warm Climates

This one’s outdated. Many believe velvet traps heat, making it unsuitable for sunny or humid areas. But recent fabric advancements—and thermal testing—tell a different story.

We installed velvet panels in a west-facing room exposed to summer sun and took thermal readings before and after. With the Velmor Pleated Velvet Drapes in place, heat transfer dropped by 85%. The blackout lining acted as a thermal barrier, keeping the interior temperature 3.7°F cooler near the glass.

Velvet isn’t the problem—poor insulation is. With the right lining, it can actually enhance climate control.

Velvet Drapes Are Hard to Install

Grommet, pleat, and soft-top velvet drapes have come a long way in ease of use. In our timed tests, grommet headers were installed in under 7 minutes—no snagging, no fuss.

The metal rings glided easily across rods, and the panels held shape evenly without tugging. For renters and frequent movers, this makes velvet one of the most user-friendly options in the custom category.

Custom Velvet Costs a Fortune

Not anymore. While luxury velvet panels used to be boutique-only, direct-to-consumer brands have changed the pricing landscape.

Many styles under the custom velvet drapes category now offer tailored options under $200, including blackout lining and hemming. Compared to similar-quality linen curtains with added lining, the cost is often comparable—if not lower.

What you’re paying for is density, performance, and longevity. And velvet scores high across all three.

They're Just About Looks, Not Function

It’s easy to assume velvet is purely decorative. But our real-world tests show otherwise:

Noise Reduction: Up to 8 dB drop in peak urban noise with velvet panels installed

Light Filtering: 540 lux (down from 7,800) without total blackout

Thermal Barrier: 85% reduction in radiant heat with blackout lining

Velvet combines form and function—especially when custom-sized and lined properly. They're more than a style choice; they’re a performance upgrade.

Velvet drapes aren’t just for drama or aesthetic flair—they’re smart, versatile, and surprisingly practical. Whether you’re trying to improve light control, reduce outside noise, or stabilize room temperature, custom velvet drapes deserve a second look.