Introducing the Very Best Curtain Brands
There is something very special about drapery. Many people may think that curtains serve mainly to provide privacy and to allow you to control the amount of sunlight that enters a room, but they can be so much more than that.
Curtains add texture to a space, they add movement when you allow the breeze to blow through the window, and they can be an opportunity to give a lovely pop of color or pattern to a room. Curtains add warmth, depth, and so much more.
If you’ve been on the hunt for a new set of curtains you may be feeling a tad bit overwhelmed. There are so many shapes, colors, styles, patterns, materials, and applications to choose from that it may feel like a sea of fabric with no island in sight.
That’s where we come in. We’ve collaborated with a truly fantastic group of interior designers who have been so generous to answer us when we ask: what are your favorite curtain brands on the market? They will help guide the ship on your journey towards finding the perfect set of curtains for your home. (Excuse all of these marine themed metaphors, I’m not sure where they’re coming from.)
Choosing the Right Curtains for your Room
There are many things to consider before you go out and buy a new set of curtains. It’s important to understand what materials work best, how much light coverage you desire, and overall what type of aesthetic you’re looking for.
To help you along with these decisions, we’ve prepared some questions that you can ask yourself first. That way you can narrow down your options from there, and the decision making process can be a little bit easier!
- What length of curtain do you need? – First thing’s first, make sure that you measure out the length of the top of your window down to the floor. You don’t want something so short that it looks awkward, but you also don’t want something so long that it looks messy.
You can purchase ready-made curtains that come in standardized lengths: 63″, 84″, 108″, or 120″. If you have custom windows of a custom length, there are tons of companies out there who can make any length you need as well. - What is the ideal type of fabric? – Curtains can be made in nearly any fabric imaginable, and the fabric you choose will totally change the vibe. A heavy velvet curtain says something completely different than a light, sheer, linen curtain. Not only that, different fabrics will determine how much light is let into a room as well.
If you need darkening curtains, stick closer to heavy materials like velvet and anything that is heavy and opaque. Curtains that are more for light filtering should be made of fabrics like cotton, polyester, or linen. - What is the aesthetic of your home? – Curtains can and should be a home accessory that elevates the feel of a room. Curtains bring texture and color to a room, and choosing curtains to compliment the rest of your home is a great way to bring cohesion to the space. Whether it is rustic, minimal, farmhouse, or playful, there is a curtain for everything.
- What type of hardware is required? – Not all curtains will be applied in the same way. A curtain rod doesn’t just have to be something functional, it’s also an opportunity to add an extra dimension of texture and dimension to the entire ensemble. It is also very important to measure the width of the window so that they don’t feed out too far in either direction, or too shallowly.
- Do you have blinds? – Just because you already have blinds doesn’t mean that you can’t have curtains, too. While blinds are great for temperature control and privacy, adding a contrasting material or color of curtain to go with the blinds is a great way to add dimension.
Are you on the hunt for a new set of blinds, too? We’ve got you covered there with The Best Blinds Brands on the market.
The 10 Very Best Curtain Brands (According to Budget)
You would be surprised at how pricey curtains can get. My uncle once told me he got custom curtains built for his van and accidentally dished out $600+! Not everybody has the budget for that type of thing, and so we’ve organized the follow section into different budgets: lower budgets, moderate budgets, and luxury budgets.
All of the following information has been graciously provided to us by that tremendous group of interior designers that we mentioned earlier. These folks are the pros, so you know that they are recommendations that you can trust. If you’re keen on getting to know them or their projects a little better, simply click on the links on their names to be directed towards their personal websites!
The Best Low Budget Curtain Brands
1. Subrtex
Subrtex is a company that is really the master when it comes to utility fabrics. These folks specialize in making those nifty covers that hug you sofa cushions really nicely, but it turns out that they make really fantastic curtains as well!
For many people, curtains are the only thing they use to gain privacy and aren’t too picky about the aesthetic. If you’re looking for something that is wonderfully priced, functional, and easy to install, purchasing curtains from Subrtex might be the move for you!
This recommendation is coming from a great interior designer named Ahmet Can Ozkara. He always does a great job of giving us recommendations that are attainable for all budget types and are very well made. Just because something is cheap, doesn’t mean it has to act cheap!
“Subrtex uses great fabrics for their products and many are made from 100% polyester and rayon. They curtains offer a premium soft touch feeling, light filtering, they’re mildew proof, and have a lovely drape effect.
Their curtains allow natural light to pass through the beautiful weave, but at the same time reduces sunlight and UV rays while maintaining the balance between protection and privacy.What more do you need from curtains?”
2. Telamor
Telamor is really taking the love of fabric to whole new level. They don’t just have a curtains section, they have a series of different collections with totally different inspirations behind them. These folks don’t just hang fabric on a pole, they create works of art.
Some of the collection names are truly inspiring. They have the Eclectic Collection, the Back to Nature Collection, the Artdeco Collection, the Glamorous Collection, the Vogue Collection, and the Silky Collection. They really hit all the marks, understanding that every home is completely unique, and the accessories can reflect that.
This recommendation is coming from Andrea Zivic. This is an interior designer who truly understands timeless style and she’s always so spot on with her recommendations. A lot of the time brands will do everything when it comes to home dressings, so it’s always wise to choose a company that just does one thing, and does it really well. Here is Andrea talking about why she adores Telamor:
“Curtains and blinds are a very important factor in the home. With the help of Telamor curtains, you not only protect yourself from the strong sun in the afternoon or from the neighbor’s views from the street. You provide your home with a more intimate, comfortable atmosphere while you are at home. If you like the ArtDeco direction, then we have found the right brand for you.”
3. Ikea
We’ve been working with Mairead Belcher for a good little while now, and she has recommended Ikea to us more than once. Since she is a real-deal professional, so you know that that’s a recommendation that you can trust.
People tend to overlook Ikea because it tends to remind them of how they furnished their very first college apartment on a very strict budget, but it goes so far beyond that. Ikea has a great format where they have so many different styles in so many different budgets.
Ikea does a really great job of making something wonderfully affordable look highly classy. Here Mairead has done us the good graces of recommending a set of black out curtains that Ikea specifically makes. Black out curtains can sometimes look rather bland, but Ikea does a great job of sprucing them up. Here is why Mairead like’s the Bengta curtain from Ikea:
“The Ikea Bengta curtain is a no-brainer on a budget. These versatile curtains made from 34 recycled 0.5l PET bottles (we love sustainable materials!) create a laminated fabric that you can simply cut to fit to size. The top trim has hidden tabs so you can hang the curtain directly onto a rod, and it is also blackout.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a range of colours and patterns, so you truly need to think about the space’s decor, but Ikea has a range of laminated curtains in stock, and this easy cut-to-size ability makes it great for home designers on a budget.”
The Best Moderate Budget Curtain Brands
4. Everhem
Once we start getting into the higher end realm of curtains, you start to realize that the name of the game is really providing customers with a customized experience. But that can only go so far. What it really comes down to, is when a company really understands what timeless style is.
And that’s where I introduce you to Everhem. Everyhem has such tasteful options on their website, allowing you elevate your room with something as simple as fabric. You can customize everything right down to the little knobs on the end of the curtain rods.
This recommendation is coming from Tina Martindelcampo, who is an absolutely fabulous interior designer who never fails to provide us with a brand that will absolutely change the way you look at your interior. Do yourself a favor, listen to Tina, and let Everhem take care of all of your curtain needs. Here is what Tina has to say about their services:
“Fairly new to the drapery world is a company called Everhem, and they seem to be taking the design world by storm. Besides having a clever business name, Everhem offers a unique approach to custom drapery, with detailed videos on how to measure a window accurately for a perfect fit.
Their custom design experts walk you through each challenging detail, from how to measure a window accurately all the way through to installation. This video feature is a game changer for consumers that desire custom window treatments, but really can’t afford the hefty price tag that comes with hiring a custom window specialist.
You can’t go wrong with a beautiful palette of neutral fabric colors to choose from and hardware finishes in brass, bronze and black. You can choose from unlined fabric or semi-private to private lining, which is the same as blackout lining.
One of my favorite options is the understated pleating on top of the drapes. I prefer the tailored pleating option, because it looks so elegant and expensive without the expensive price. If you decide to choose Everhem for your home, you are sure to create the most gorgeous drapes ever to grace your windows.”
5. Five Queens Court
Five Queens Court is a curtains-specific brand that can be found at nearly any popular department store or online malls like Amazon or Wayfair. These folks are absolutely experts when it comes to making bougie-looking curtains that will bring a certain amount of je-ne-sais-quoi to your space.
Sometimes I get tired of seeing things that are so minimal, so it’s always fun to find a brand that isn’t afraid to just get funky and fancy with it. Ahmet Can Ozkara always recommends these kinds of brands to us, and so I’m always so excited to see what he’s going to recommend next.
It’s also always exciting to find a brand that manages to create something that is very luxury looking, but doesn’t come with a luxury price tag. If this type of balance sounds appealing to you, consider Five Queens Court. Here is why Ahmet recommends this brand:
“Five Queens Court is a brand that uses 100% polyester in its products. The products that they provide are of wonderfully good quality considering the completely reasonable price point. Colors and textures are highly preferred because their designs are a bit more on the eclectic side of things.”
6. Jab
“With curtains or voiles you can embellish any living space. As a privacy protection in your bedroom or for elegant sun protection in the living room, one thing is certain: your view out of the windows is individual and every view is enriched.
Our selection includes fascinating decoration fabrics and voiles in a variety of different designs and colours. Casual, extravagant, industrial or glamour, complement your furnishing style with matching patterns, motifs or plain fabrics on the windows. Be inspired by our products.”
With that quote taken right from their website, you can tell that a company loves what they do when it sounds like poetry when it’s described. Jab believes in more than just hanging fabric over a window, they believe that little accents like these can change the whole aura of a room.
Andrea Zivic is used to working with all sorts of different types of clients, but it’s clear that shopping at Jab can satisfy anyone’s needs. I especially love that they display their fabrics in a fluid way rather than hanging up, showing how much texture a simple fabric can provide.
“Casual, luxurious, industrial or modern, compliment your space with matching patterns, motifs or simple window fabrics. And one thing is for sure, you will have a unique view of your window.”
7. Zara Home
You are probably already familiar with Zara – the awesome fashion company that makes really lovely looking clothing at a totally reasonable price point. Turns out that they have a home accessories branch that is totally going to increase your obsession even further with Zara Home.
Now sometimes you may think that a company that was first a clothing company may not do home goods well, but both Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters have a home branch and I can honestly say that they make some of my most favorite products ever. So give Zara Home a try!
Mairead Belcher knows what’s what when it comes to finding gorgeous pieces at a great price, and what’s even better is that this company has great service and even better quick delivery. You can’t really go wrong with all of those aspects, can you? Here is Mairead recommending her favorite model to us:
“When it comes to curtains, I look for privacy but also translucency. This style can be created by using certain fabrics, such as linen. I have always loved linen and propose it in most of my projects.
Zara home Linen curtains with piping detail and curtain header are my go-to when trying to achieve a warm atmosphere and soft lighting to the room when light infiltrates into the space.
These beautifully curtains drape elegantly and have a lovely movement to them. Unfortunately, they only come in a few colours and one size, but these can be altered by hand or by a seamstress.”
The Best Luxury Budget Curtain Brands
8. Madura
It’s so exciting when we start getting into the luxury brands. Though this is a budget category that I don’t fit into at the moment, it’s always fun to get inspiration from brands that are doing exceptionally beautiful things, and one of those is Madura.
Madura uses nothing but the best designers, the best materials, and the best craftsmen to create their products. And what’s more, this is a brand that isn’t afraid to play around with fun colors and patterns. Drapes can sometimes be so boring, but they really needn’t be, and we have Madura to thank for that.
Ahmet Can Ozkara does an excellent job of knowing exactly what we’re looking for when we ask for the right brands to use. He understands budgets, understands quality, and understands exactly what his clients want. Here he is talking about why he loves to recommend Madura to his clients:
“Madura is a wonderful luxury brands that uses jacquard with chenille threads and especially sophisticated stylized designs in its products. The velvets on the curtains are obtained from 100% genuine and pure fabric. There are many color options and the color saturation is high because the pigments of the colors are just so good.”
9. Rubelli
Oh my dear goodness. It only happens every once in a while that I visit a website that I literally gasp when I see what they’re offering. Rubelli is bringing some serious richness to their products. It’s one thing to create a fun pattern, but it’s another to create an entire mood through a fabric.
There is some seriously incredible design work going on with the folks at Rubelli, and they’ll provide a product to you that will last you a lifetime. Not only because their curtains are beautifully made, but because their styles are absolutely timeless and will never fail to impress.
Andrea Zivic provides absolutely beautiful recommendations to us. There is a certain level of taste that comes with her favorite brands, that can span over all age groups, aesthetics, budgets, and styles of homes. Here is why Andrea recommends Rubelli to us:
“An enriched selection of materials with a completely different pattern, bright colors and pleasant materials, will leave you breathless. With them, you will be able to raise your space to a higher level and will help you choose the right thing according to your needs and style.”
10. Schumacher
The folks at Schumacher are truly the OG’s (Original Gangsters for those of you who don’t know) when it comes to patterns. Not only do they specialize in making incredibly patterned curtains, they do simply gorgeous wallpaper as well.
Lately it seems like people are simply allergic to color. Spaces have become so minimal and plain, which in itself is totally gorgeous, but I always appreciate seeing a space that is absolutely oozing with color and pattern.
A fun set of curtains is really great way to bring a pop of spice and color to a space, and Mairead Belcher has even provided us with her favorite fabric that Schumacher creates. What’s cool about Schumacher is that first you choose your pattern, then you choose your preferred fabric.
“When there is a possibility of being able not to buy shop-ready curtains, and instead custom makes the curtains from fabric suppliers. Schumacher is my go-to fabric designer. They do beautiful fabrics and prints that can really bring a room together.
One of my favourite prints to use is the Indian Arbre. This traditional floral design comes in four colour types. They really add that wow factor to the design.”
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And there you have it folks. That’s it, that’s all, that’s all she wrote. I hope you had your note pad out, I hope you now have a bunch of tabs open, and that you are well on your way to finding your perfect set of curtains, or maybe you’ve already found them!
The world of curtains is a beautiful one, with nothing but stunning draperies, fun fabrics, and delicate shades galore. There is nothing like a mixture of texture to bring some life to a room, and that can be done so easily with the right set of curtains.
I’d like to one more time thank that lovely and generous group of interior designers who without which, this article and many more like it would not be possible. Their input is so valuable! If you guys are on the hunt for other types of furniture, check out all of these articles where the same group gives us their intel on all of these topics:
