Changing your window treatments is easily one of the easiest ways to completely transform a room—but shopping for the right style can be sneakily time-consuming. Even more, if you don’t have standard-sized windows, going custom can add up fast. Luckily, curtains don’t have to cost an arm and a leg (or, you know, four figures) to look expensive. There are tons of ready-made styles on the market that dupe the expensive, bespoke brands you’ve likely seen all over Instagram or Pinterest. Ahead, seven ready-to-shop curtains that will make any room look way more expensive in minutes—plus, how to take care of them once you find a match.
Threshold Textured Weave Back Tab Window Curtain Panel, $32
Murchison-Hume founder Max Kater has sung these curtains’ praises to just about everyone in the office—and for good reason: the poly-blend fabric comes in six colors and three sizes, and they’re light-filtering rather than blackouts, which means they’re a great option for a home office, living room, or anywhere else you don’t need complete darkness.
Archaeo Linen Blend Blackout Grommet Top Curtain Panel, $29.99
I bought these top-rated blackout curtains for my bedroom, which has to be pitch dark for me to sleep past sunrise. They currently come in two neutral colors and three standard sizes; my windows are extra-wide, so I bought six panels instead of the recommended four to be sure they cover the full thing. The grommets mean they were super easy to hang, and the raw linen looks expensive—but is machine-washable.
CB2 Natural Tan Basketweave Curtain Panel, $69.95
These 100% cotton, opaque ivory panel curtains are rod-pocket style, so they’ll make any room look more expensive in minutes. They come in four lengths, and even though they’re not true blackout curtains, they offer quite a bit of privacy for a bedroom or a street-facing living room.
Pottery Barn Custom Emery Linen/Cotton Rod Pocket Curtain, $69+
Want custom window treatments without custom pricing? These emery-linen rod-pocket curtains are available in 27 different widths (24-180 inches) and more than 60 various lengths so you can create a look that works for you. Even more, you can add an optional blackout liner for even more light filtration.
West Elm Worn Velvet Curtain, $110+
Is there anything more luxurious than velvet curtains? Perfect for a great room, a dining room, or any other space that needs a touch of regality, these brushed velvet curtains have a subtle sheen, block most light, and help insulate windows.
Berwick Linen Blend Solid Semi-Sheer Rod Pocket Single Curtain Panel, $19.99
These semi-sheer, poly-linen rod pocket curtains allow light to fill the room while still offering up a bit of privacy. Plus, they’re machine washable!
O&O by Olivia & Oliver™ Zander 84-Inch Darkening Curtain Panel, $22.99
Made from 100% polyester, these room-darkening, noise-filtering curtains are perfect for large rooms that sometimes echo. Plus, they’re available in four neutral colors and four standard lengths.
How To Clean Your Curtains
It may seem blasphemous, but most curtains are machine-washable. Fabrics like linen, cotton, nylon, and polyester can certainly be washed at home. (If you have silk or velvet curtains, then in most cases, you’ll probably need to send them to the dry cleaner.)
Just like with your clothes, look at the care label. (Most curtains will list both the fabric content and washing guidelines just like your favorite blazer.) Once you’ve identified that your curtains are machine washable, it’s time to take them down and get moving. Simply toss the panels into the washing machine on the cold, delicate cycle—especially if they’re particularly thin or sun-damaged—using a gentle Laundry Soap like ours, which was designed for everything from hand-washing to machine washing at any temperature. While the curtains are in the wash, take a microfiber cloth and some All-Purpose Cleaner to wipe down the curtain rod and any other window hardware.
If your care label says to tumble them dry, then by all means—throw ‘em right in the dryer. I generally prefer to hang mine, especially because I love to iron them when they’re almost dry. I spritz on a bit of Room + Linen Spray just before and after ironing to give them an extra blast of freshness that lasts way longer than the just-washed smell.
Happy redecorating!
xx LC
