Frequently Asked Questions

We use a number of different suppliers all of which have different levels of stock holding and ship from various locations both in Australia and around the world. For up to date information, contact us and let us know how much you are after of a particular fabric and we can confirm stock levels and an expected lead time for you.

Unfortunately we only ship within Australia at this time. If you have a friend or family member that can forward the fabric to you within Australia we are more than happy to send it to them but unfortunately due to various licence agreements and difficulty of sending long fabric rolls overseas it is not a service we currently offer.

We would NEVER recommend that you buy a fabric sight unseen. Due to various settings both on your end and where the image is originally taken, your fabric may appear differently in real life vs an electronic image. Apart from that touching and feeling the fabric is an important part of the buying process!

We offer a free cutting service where we will send you out a cutting of most fabrics at absolutely no cost to you, so that you can make a decision in confidence.

With so many different options available, if you aren't sure whether to opt for a luxurious linen fabric or an easy to care for polyester, we would recommend to contact us and let us know a bit more about your project and what you are trying to achieve and your budget. 

We can then offer tailored advice for you and run through the pros and cons with you, all at no cost to you.

We are absolutely happy to price match our competitors for an identical item. Many of our competitors can be a bit sneaky and charge large amounts for postage or small order handling fees which we do not do so we do make sure that we are comparing apples with apples. Let us know the competitor details and how much you are looking at and we can happily assess and come back to you with an offer. 

We are more than happy to help you out with calculating out your fabric meterage required. There are plenty of online calculators out there but we believe in a personal touch.

There are a lot of factors to consider, but if you can let us know the width you would like your track to run, and the finished drop measurement for where you would like to have your curtains finish at, we can give you some guidance as to how much fabric you will need. 

Some important points to consider are for the width - remembering to allow extra track length for your curtains to stack off your windows where possible so that you don't end up with a dark room.

For the drop we would normally recommend finishing around 1cm off the floor in most cases, however if you have a desk or other obstruction in the way, you may finish at or below a sill level. Finally, if using a curtain with a large amount of natural fibres in it such as linen, you need to be aware that these can move by as much as 3% so puddling on the ground is strongly recommended to avoid issues associated with movement.

If in doubt, just ask us as we are happy to help!

In most cases, the answer is yes! We have relationships with most of the big fabric houses in Australia so if you are looking at a curtain or upholstery fabric, chances are we can supply it. We don't have our full range of fabrics available online, mainly due to either fabric houses not wanting us to publish prices for them, not having imagery available or plain old not enough hours in the day. If you don't see what you are after, please just let us know.

In most cases, we purchase off the same suppliers as our competitors and so will face the same stock shortages. That said, we have frequently seen our competitors state that something is out of stock to avoid smaller orders, so it's definitely worthwhile checking with us anyway and we would be more than happy to confirm availability for you.

Curtains have a noticeable impact on the appearance of your home and contribute to the cohesiveness of your interiors. Rather than purchasing the first option you see, consider these essential factors:

  • The room they’re being installed in

    When choosing suitable curtains, you need to select a shade and style that complements your colour scheme and interior decor style. For instance, if you have large French windows in your bedroom, you may want to opt for layered curtains made with a light-coloured cloth. If you’re decorating a bedroom, you’d want to select curtains that create ambience while blocking direct sunlight from entering the room. For your kitchen space, you’d steer clear of dark-coloured curtains and opt for a neutral shade that brightens the area while creating the illusion of a larger room.

  • The curtain fabric and material

    Although there are so many curtains in Sydney to choose from, different fabrics are ideal for different spaces. For instance, cotton or linen curtains work well in bedrooms but are not ideal for kitchens as this material is flammable and absorbs odour. On the other hand, polyester is a great curtain fabric for kitchens, especially when selecting one that is fire rated. 

    Whether you’re searching for decorative curtains that add volume and depth to your space or a thick style that blocks harsh sunlight from entering the room, Material World is proud to offer a vast range of window coverings. 

    With us, you can custom-design your curtains in Sydney and we can install them for you. From blackout curtains to S-fold, S-wave, and pinch pleat styles, the team at our fabric shop in Chatswood or our showroom in Orange can recommend what coverings will work best with your interiors before custom creating them in a curtain fabric of your choosing.

  • Selecting an appropriate colour

    Regardless of what curtain fabric you select, it’s critical to choose a style and design that praises your interiors. Consider the colour of your walls, carpets and floors and what furniture is currently placed in the area you’re redecorating. If the room is bare or your furnishing and walls are white or cream, you could make your curtains the focal point and opt for a vibrant colour or quirky design that adds personality to your room while seamlessly bringing your decor together.

  • Measurements

    Having the correct measurements is one of the most important steps in getting the right curtains for your space. You can measure your curtains by following these steps: Determine your mounting technique and determine the curtain rod length before measuring the width and length. Once you have finalised the numbers, you can begin searching for suitable curtains and fabric. If it’s all too hard, leave it to our interior decorating experts who can take the perfect measurements for you.

The easiest way to keep your window furnishings in premium condition is to carefully take them down, wipe them, and use your vacuum cleaner to remove dirt, dust, grime and pet hairs. Always follow the care label for your individual fabric, but be aware that If you’ve opted for curtain fabrics like linen and cotton, be mindful that these fabrics typically need to be dry cleaned whilst polyester is often more easy care and can often be washed at home. For cleaning blinds again the instructions may vary by product but professional ultrasonic cleaning is often the best option.

Not seeing your question above? Please get in touch with us and let us know how we can help.