How to Choose Curtains: The Complete Buying Guide

Buying curtains seems simple until you’re staring at hundreds of options and nothing makes sense. Blackout vs room darkening. Grommet vs rod pocket. 84-inch vs 96-inch. This guide cuts through the noise.

The 5 Things That Actually Matter

1. Light Control — Blackout, Room Darkening, or Sheer?

This is the most important decision. It determines which curtains work for your room.

Blackout curtains block 95–99% of light. They have a built-in liner (usually foam or tightly woven fabric). Use these for bedrooms, nurseries, home theaters, and any room where you need darkness.

Room darkening curtains block 70–85% of light. They’re lighter weight and often look more natural. Good for living rooms where you want to reduce glare without making the room feel like a cave.

Sheer curtains filter light softly and provide privacy during the day (people can see silhouettes at night). Best for kitchens, dining rooms, and layered window treatments.

Pro tip: You don’t have to pick one. Layer sheer curtains behind blackout panels — you get soft filtered light during the day and full darkness at night.

2. Length — Short, Apron, Floor, or Puddle?

Sill length (to the window sill): Casual, practical. Good for kitchens and bathrooms where long curtains get in the way.

Apron length (below the sill by a few inches): A safe middle ground. Works in offices and casual living spaces.

Floor length (just touching the floor): The standard for most rooms. Clean, modern, makes ceilings look taller.

Puddle length (2–4 inches pooling on the floor): Dramatic and traditional. Looks great in formal rooms but collects dust and pet hair.

For most rooms, floor length is the right call. It’s versatile, looks intentional, and makes any window treatment look more expensive.

3. Width — Always Size Up

The single biggest mistake people make: buying curtains that are too narrow. Curtains should look full, not stretched.

The rule: Total curtain width should be 1.5 to 2.5 times the width of your window.

For a 40-inch window: buy 60–100 inches of total curtain width. For a 60-inch window: buy 90–150 inches.

Most curtain pairs are listed as “two panels of [X] inches each.” So a 52” × 84” pair gives you 104 inches of total width — that covers a 52-inch window with good fullness.

4. Header Style — How It Hangs

Grommet top: Metal rings slide directly onto the rod. Easy to open and close. Modern look. This is the most popular style.

Rod pocket: A sewn-in channel the rod slides through. Creates soft, even folds. Harder to open and close — better for curtains you leave in place.

Back tab: Hidden loops that create uniform folds. Clean, tailored look. Good for living rooms and dining rooms.

Tab top: Fabric loops at the top. Casual, bohemian style. The rod is visible between tabs.

For most people, grommet tops are the right choice. They’re easy to install, easy to use, and work with any room style.

5. Fabric — What You’re Actually Getting

Polyester: The default for affordable curtains. Easy to clean, holds color well, reasonably durable. Most curtains under $50 are polyester.

Cotton: Softer, more natural look. Breathes better. Wrinkles easily and isn’t as light-blocking. Often blended with polyester for practicality.

Linen: Premium look and feel. Light, airy, textured. Expensive and wrinkles. Usually a blend for curtains.

Velvet: Heavy, luxurious, excellent light blocking and insulation. Warms up a room. Typically $50+ per panel.

Blackout lining: Can be added to any fabric. Worth it if you need darkness but want a lighter-weight fabric.

Room-by-Room Recommendations

Bedroom

• Light: Blackout
• Length: Floor
• Style: Grommet or back tab
• Budget: $20–$30 range for quality blackout without overspending
• See our bedroom curtain picks

Living Room

• Light: Room darkening or light filtering
• Length: Floor or puddle for formality
• Style: Back tab or rod pocket for a finished look
• Budget: $30–$50 range for better fabric quality
• See our living room curtain picks

Kitchen

• Light: Light filtering or sheer
• Length: Sill or apron
• Style: Rod pocket or tab top (casual)
• Budget: $20 range is plenty
• See our kitchen curtain picks

Bathroom

• Light: Room darkening (privacy matters)
• Length: Sill or apron (moisture)
• Style: Rod pocket or tension rod
• Budget: Under $20 — washable polyester

Home Office

• Light: Room darkening (reduce screen glare)
• Length: Floor
• Style: Grommet (easy to adjust)
• Budget: Under $30

Hanging Tips That Make Any Curtain Look Better

Hang High

Mount the rod 4–6 inches above the window frame. This draws the eye up and makes ceilings look taller. It’s the single biggest upgrade you can make, and it costs nothing.

Go Wide

Extend the rod 3–6 inches past each side of the window. This lets you pull curtains fully open without blocking any glass. More light, better proportions.

Use the Right Rod

• Standard curtain rod (5/8” or 1” diameter): Good for most rooms
• Tension rod: No drilling required — good for renters and lightweight curtains
• Traverse rod: For heavy curtains that need to slide easily
• See our curtain rod picks

Iron Your Curtains

Curtains come folded and wrinkled. Ironing them (or steaming) before hanging makes an enormous difference. It’s the difference between “looks cheap” and “looks great.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Measuring wrong. Measure the width of the area you want to cover (not just the glass). Measure from where you’ll mount the rod to where you want the curtains to end.

2. Buying too narrow. Always go wider than you think you need. Narrow curtains look skimpy.

3. Forgetting the rod. Budget for a curtain rod — you need one that’s wider than your window and rated for the weight of your curtains.

4. Ignoring care instructions. Some curtains are machine washable, others are dry clean only. Check before buying.

5. Matching curtain color to wall color exactly. Choose curtains that complement your walls, not duplicate them. A shade lighter or darker adds depth.

Where to Start

If you’re not sure where to begin: figure out your light control needs first, then pick a length, then size up on width. That narrows your options significantly.

• Budget tight? Start with our curtains under $20 picks.
• Want better quality? See our curtains under $30 or curtains under $50 guides.
• Treating yourself? Our curtains under $100 picks include real velvet and linen options.

All our picks are backed by real customer reviews and updated regularly. Browse all deals →