Curtains Under $20

Twenty dollars doesn’t buy much these days. But curtains are one of the rare home goods where the budget options are genuinely good. The picks below are all priced under $20 and backed by thousands of verified buyer reviews. No filler.

What to Expect at This Price Point

Under $20 gets you solid functional curtains — good light control, decent fabric, standard grommet headers that work with any basic curtain rod. You’re not getting premium linen or custom sizing, but you are getting curtains that do the job and look presentable.

What to watch: at this price, blackout performance varies. “Room darkening” is often more accurate than “blackout.” If you need complete light elimination (nursery, night-shift sleep), consider stepping up to the $25–$30 range.

Size Up for Better Coverage

One universal tip: buy curtains one size wider than your window. A 52-inch-wide curtain set on a 40-inch window looks thin and disappoints people. For a 40-inch window, you want 80–100 inches of total curtain width (two panels). For a 60-inch window, go even wider. Most of the picks below are sold as two-panel sets.

Hanging Height Matters More Than You Think

Hang the rod as close to the ceiling as possible — even if your windows aren’t floor-to-ceiling. It makes the room feel taller and the windows look larger. This costs nothing extra and makes any curtain look more expensive.

Best Under-$20 Picks by Room

Not every room needs the same curtain. Here’s where to start based on where you’re hanging them:

• Cheap Blackout Curtains — If total darkness is your goal, the Deconovo and Eclipse panels in this tier deliver the most light blocking per dollar.
• Cheap Bedroom Curtains — Bedroom-specific picks including blackout options, sizing for standard bedroom windows, and layering tips.
• Cheap Kitchen Curtains — Short-panel options that work above the sink and resist moisture and grease.
• Cheap Sheer Curtains — Lightweight panels that filter light beautifully. Several strong options under $20.

Browse Other Price Tiers

Not quite what you’re looking for? The right curtain is the one that fits your window and your budget.

• Curtains Under $30 — The sweet spot. Better fabric, more blackout options, still very affordable.
• Curtains Under $50 — Linen textures, true blackout, heavier construction. A real step up.
• Curtains Under $100 — Velvet, premium blackout, and designs that make a room.
• How to Choose Curtains — Not sure what type you need? Start here.
• Best Cheap Curtains 2026 — Our annual roundup of the top 9 budget picks across all categories.
• How to Measure for Curtains — Get the right size the first time.
• All Cheap Curtains — Browse every category, price tier, and buying guide on CurtainsCheap.com.