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Short answer
Ombre and gradient curtains change colour gradually across the fabric, usually from a pale shade to a deeper one. Hung with the deeper colour at the bottom, they ground the window and make the room feel calm; with the deeper colour at the top, they frame the ceiling. They are a simple way to add colour without a pattern. Because the colour change has a direction, check how it runs before ordering, especially if the fabric will be railroaded.
What ombre and gradient mean
Ombre comes from the French for shaded. In curtains, ombre and gradient both describe colour that fades smoothly from one shade to another across the fabric, instead of changing in stripes. The change can be tone on tone, such as pale grey to charcoal, or between two colours, such as sand to sage.
In the JOTEX range, OMBRE is a 100% polyester dimout and GRADIENT a 100% polyester sheer, each in 6 colourways.
Which way up?
| Deeper colour | Effect | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| At the bottom | Grounded and calm; the room feels settled | Living rooms, bedrooms, most windows |
| At the top | Draws the eye up and frames the ceiling | Tall windows, rooms with a feature ceiling |
| At the sides (railroaded) | Colour sweeps across the window | Wide windows, modern rooms |
Watch out
The direction of the colour change is fixed in the fabric. Check how it runs along the roll before deciding to railroad an extra-wide fabric, or the fade may end up sideways. See Railroaded Fabric Explained.
Sheer or dimout?
- Ombre sheer: the fade glows when the sun is behind it, tinting the light in the room. Lovely as the day layer on a double track.
- Ombre dimout: the fade reads clearly day and night and gives privacy. It works as the main curtain, with a plain sheer behind.
See Blackout vs Dimout vs Sheer for choosing the light level.
Pairing ombre curtains
- Take the deepest shade for cushions or a throw, and the palest for the walls.
- Keep everything else plain. The fade is the pattern; stripes and florals beside it compete.
- Choose a calm heading. S-fold shows the fade as a clean, continuous sweep; French pleats work too.
- Match both curtains. In a pair, both should fade the same way and at the same height.
Tip
Look at a full-drop sample if you can. A small swatch shows only part of the fade, and the effect depends on the full length.
Ombre and gradient collections
Ombre and gradient fabrics in the JOTEX range, updated from the catalogue.
Browse all collections →
Frequently asked questions
What are ombre curtains?
Curtains whose colour fades gradually from one shade to another across the fabric, usually from pale to deep.
Should the dark part of ombre curtains be at the top or bottom?
Usually at the bottom, which grounds the window and feels calm. Dark at the top draws the eye up to the ceiling.
Are ombre curtains still in style?
Yes, in soft, tonal colourways. A gentle fade adds colour without a pattern and suits modern and Japandi rooms.
What is the difference between ombre and gradient?
In curtains the words are used for the same effect: colour that changes smoothly across the fabric.
Can ombre fabric be railroaded?
Only if the colour change runs the right way for it. Check the direction along the roll before ordering, or the fade may end up sideways.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.