The Anthropologie Hyacinth Printed Curtain has a gorgeous print and filters light nicely, but it’s nearly $80 for one panel. We think other, less-expensive options are just as special. We also noticed some regular stock issues. However, if it’s the pattern of your dreams, you should absolutely get it! It performed just fine.
IKEA’s Vildpersilja Curtains have a pretty pattern and receive incredibly high reviews from buyers. But like our blackout-curtain picks from IKEA, they’re just a bit stiff, and their back tabs are weirdly thready, which makes them a bit annoying to hang. Still, they are a great price with a great return policy, so if you love the pattern and don’t mind a bit of rigidity, they’re a good option. They also only come in one length.
IKEA’s Alvine Spets Sheer Curtains have scalloped edges for an even prettier vintage look. They’re also washable and have a good 180-day return policy. But, with their raw edges I don’t imagine they’re long for this world. Still, for just about 10 bucks, they may be worth the longevity risk for someone in search of barely there curtains at a bargain price.
I was drawn to the Mexicali Blues Recycled Silk Panel Curtain for both its eclectic appearance and sustainability angle: It’s made from recycled saris, which means each curtain is slightly different, and you select the colorway you’re interested in without knowing exactly what prints or patterns it will include. Mine had a few loose threads and some itty bitty holes in one panel. For someone with a boho aesthetic or someone who’s more worried about the environment than the fine details of their curtain — and who has an average-sized window (because they only have one length option) — these curtains may still make a great option.
Pottery Barn’s Kravet Garden Floral Curtain has a beautiful drape and great texture thanks to its cotton-linen blend, and it even includes drapery hooks, but it might be a little too fussy for most people. Its floral print can look traditional and classic when styled one way or a little dated when styled another. It’s also dry-clean only and a bit on the pricey side.
The sheer Target Opalhouse In This Together Embroidered Window Curtain Panels offer charming detail at an affordable price. Designed in partnership with Jungalow, a company known for its bohemian flair, the doodled faces on these curtains are nearly abstract enough to miss entirely but make for a unified front, with their gazes all turned the same direction. However, at just 40 inches wide, these are very narrow (our other picks are upwards of 48 inches wide). And because of the embroidery along just one edge, you won’t be able to just add an extra panel without making it obvious. Their stock also keeps fluctuating.
The Target Threshold Light Filtering Stitched Edge Curtain Panel doesn’t have anything special from a design standpoint, but it filters light nicely, is very easy to wash, and is very easy to return (just do so within a year of purchase) to Target. It’s just not inspired. But it does have a lot of positive reviews, and if you wanted to save money on a simple white curtain in this exact size, it’s a good option.
The Target Threshold Solid Farrah Light Filtering Window Curtain Panel is perfectly serviceable but just not very pretty. You can tell the fabric is at least partially synthetic — it has that distinct stiffness and shine to it. But it’s also easy to wash, has a great one-year return policy, and comes at a palatable price.
The Urban Outfitters Chloe Patchwork Gauze Curtain Panel is made from 100% cotton and filters in light beautifully. The contrasting tone of the stitching that holds each panel together reminded me a bit of the stitches that hold Frankenstein’s monster’s limbs together, however. This is probably just a me-problem though; if you like the look, you should get them. They come in only one length and availability tends to vary.
Absolutely nothing is wrong with the Urban Outfitters Toile Patchwork Ruffle Window Panel. I just wasn’t as wowed by it in person as I was by other curtains in its price range. The ruffles are a bit wide, so some of them flop forward or backward in a big fold that’s not pretty to me (no one seems bothered by this in the online reviews, however). But they come in only one color option and one length, and availability seems inconsistent.
The West Elm Linen Cotton Ladder Sheer Curtain is pretty if you want just a little privacy but lots of light — it’s closer to sheer than light-filtering. But it’s also rather pricey, especially when you’ll likely want to layer them under another curtain panel. They come in only two shades of white, and they’re dry-clean only. West Elm’s return policy is also one of the shortest, at a standard 30 days.
This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Joanne Chen.
