When it comes to decorating your home, a window treatment can do wondrous things. From framing the natural light that comes pouring in, to adding color and texture to a room, they help give your room a finished feel. Practically, they can block and filter the light flooding into your space; aesthetically, they add a tactile element in contrast with the rest of the art displayed on your walls.
And if you have the (mis)conception that curtains are old-fashioned, we’re here to prove you wrong. Today’s best picks are chicly designed with clean silhouettes and quality fabrics that cater to any interior style (not to mention, modern rods and hardware, too).
Here, the best places to buy curtains online:
Linoto
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Courtesy of Linoto
Linoto specializes in making linen products for the home, and these luxe linen window treatments provide “filtered-light privacy” and timeless style. Since they’re made to order (right here in the USA), it’s all up to you: Choose from a rainbow of 23 shades, pick the dimensions down to the inch, and add finishing touches like fabric loops or metal grommets for hanging.
In addition to good looks, these stunning curtains are durable and machine-washable, so you can enjoy them as long as they’re on-trend—which is forever. This means they’re worth the investment, for sure, especially if you have hard-to-fit panes.
Bolé Road Textiles
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Courtesy of Bolé Road Textiles
Founded by Ethiopia-born Hana Getachew, an interior designer-turned-business owner in New York City, Bolé Road Textiles brings Ethiopian handwoven fabrics to American households. The company’s white curtains feature graphic stripes in bold pops of color, which line the bottom of the panels so they’ll brighten up your space without overwhelming it.
Choose from designs like the Afar Curtain in Mist (available on Bolé Road Textiles), which combine soothing blue and gray hues, or the Solid Stripe Curtain in Fuschia (available on Bolé Road Textiles), woven with a single hot pink stripe for just enough punch.
They’re all made with 100 percent cotton, so they’re weighty enough to stay in place while adding airiness to any room.
Parachute
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Courtesy of Parachute
If Parachute is one of your favorite home brands (us, too), you’ll be excited to hear about their new window treatment line. True to the brand’s style—chicly minimalist home essentials featuring luxury quality at attainable prices—their linen curtains come in two core colors: white and chambray gray.
Light and breezy with a “lived-in” feel, these drapes are soft enough for the bedroom, yet casually elegant for a living room, dining room, or den. Hang them directly on Parachute’s sleek black curtain rod or secure them on matching curtain rings with hooks for a modern look that goes with anything.
Anthropologie
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Courtesy of Anthropologie
As masters of boho-chic design, it’s no surprise that Anthropologie’s selection of curtains emulates their signature aesthetic. These are guaranteed to make a statement—whether bold or subtle—in any room, even (and perhaps, especially) if it’s limited in square footage.
Bright birds of paradise will add whimsy to the dining or living room, and for the bedroom, either playful pom-pom-trimmed panels or romantically dramatic velvet drapes. If you prefer something more subdued, you'll find textures curtains that add some personality without drawing too much attention to themselves. Whichever you choose, Anthro’s magical designs add a touch of the unexpected to any room. And FYI: Their curtain hardware is just as unique (see on Anthropologie).
The Shade Store
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The Shade Store
If you're looking to customize how your window treatments look from start to finish, you might want to check out The Shade Store's offerings. Rather than just selecting the curtains you'd like, you actually build your perfect drapes, from the material to the length and width to the track that you'll use to mount them.
Options from The Shade Store are custom made to each order, and the level of detail available is the biggest draw. You can add privacy panels, make any curtains blackout, and even choose the finish of the track—which will be custom made to the exact length you want. You'll also be able to choose from wall or ceiling-mounted curtains; just make sure to take the difference in length you'll need into account when choosing between the two.
This option is especially helpful if you're trying to fit unusually shaped windows or doors, since the width and length of the curtains can be dictated down to the quarter inch.
CB2
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Courtesy of CB2
From sleek furniture to trendy home accents to sculptural lighting fixtures, CB2’s modern style is evident throughout its merchandise—and that includes its curtains. While the majority of their offerings are goes-with-anything solids in saturated hues (with a few versatile patterns sprinkled in), the biggest defining feature is the selection of fabrics that the panels are made with.
Basketweave cottons, plush velvets, breezy linens, multidimensional tweeds, and nearly-sheer chambrays are some notable textures to choose from, each with a tactile element you’ll be tempted to touch. So if you’re all about minimalist design and emphasizing textures, CB2’s floor-length curtains are worth considering.
Pottery Barn
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Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Head to Pottery Barn’s web page on curtains, and you’ll keep scrolling (and scrolling, and scrolling …). When it comes to a huge variety of colors, patterns, materials, and textures, the legendary home store has a selection that’s nothing short of massive.
While you won’t find many quirks here, if you’re in the market for something simple but specific—say, silk curtain panels in the perfect shade of soft rose—you’re bound to find it. Other options include linen, cotton, velvet, and Sunbrella® fabrics, as well as eight sizes, four hanging styles, three levels of light opacity, and options that are organic, fair trade, or sustainably-sourced.
West Elm
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Courtesy of West Elm
If Pottery Barn and West Elm were siblings (they’re both owned by parent company, Williams-Sonoma), Pottery Barn would be the sophisticated older sister, with West Elm being the slightly wilder child. As such, West Elm also has a massive selection of window treatments, but it’s the vast array of patterned curtains that demonstrate the brand’s true colors.
With geometric patterns and graphics in mostly-neutral palettes, these prints add just a little something without being too attention-drawing. With options like white polka dots on mint green, jacquard honeycombs embroidered on burnt copper, and the “abstract glass” motif on sheer fabric, these designs lend plenty of personality with just a hint of eccentricity.
Urban Outfitters
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Courtesy of Urban Outfitters
With its mix of sheer florals, crushed velvet jewel tones, and even beaded curtain designs, Urban Outfitters ranks number one for eclectic curtain collections. But while the boldest of these window coverings may scare away the color-shy, there are still plenty of solid hues to pick from.
Whether you gravitate towards bright florals that feel like art themselves or choosing something with tassels is as adventurous as you get (hey, no shame in that!), Urban Outfitters’ curtains are cute, casual, and comfortably unfussy. And since they are relatively affordable, you can change them out when your tastes change without spending a fortune.
Ballard Designs
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Courtesy of Ballard Designs
If you’re into patterns but have more traditional taste, Ballard Designs may become your new brand of choice. Featuring subtle motifs like plaid and buffalo check, as well as busier prints like climbing flowers and cherry blossoms, these classic styles make a statement without the short-term longevity of a passing trend.
Ballard Design curtains are constructed in a variety of materials including burlap, cotton, silk, velvet, and even Sunbrella. Can’t find the perfect curtain for your space? Opt for the “custom drapery” option and choose from six silhouettes and over 350 fabric options.
Smith & Noble
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Courtesy of Smith & Noble
Does designing your own set of specially-made curtains sound like a dream come true? Head to Smith & Noble’s website for a customizing shopping experience like no other. First, answer a few questions (complete with pictures) to identify exactly what you’re looking for. Then, you’re able to “design” your window right on your computer screen.
For the record, playing interior decorator with your window treatments will get pricey. But if you’d like to choose every detail, from the type of lining, to the grommets, to the dimensions, inch-by-inch, Smith & Noble offers the best way to do it.
Target
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Courtesy of Target
Not only is curtain shopping at Target affordable, the online experience is ridiculously easy. With curtains sorted by category—sheer, room darkening, valences, tier, kids—there’s bound to be something for every room of the house. And, as fans of the retailer already know, they offer a plethora of on-trend styles, including velvet and tassel-accented, that are ridiculously budget-friendly.
Admittedly, at these prices, you can’t expect the same quality of rich fabrics as its higher-end competitors. That said, if you’re looking to update a room without breaking the bank, Target is certainly worth a browse.