Two stores account for more curtain purchases in the UK than any other. IKEA and Dunelm sit at opposite ends of the same market – both accessible, both widely available, both consistently reviewed by real buyers. But they serve different needs, different aesthetics, and different budgets in ways that are worth understanding before you click buy.
This guide compares IKEA curtains and Dunelm curtains across every dimension that matters – price, quality, style range, blackout performance, sizing, and which specific products from each store are actually worth buying in 2026. It also covers the curtain buying rules that apply regardless of where you shop – because getting the sizing, heading style, and hanging method right determines how good any curtain looks more than the curtain itself does.
Table of Contents
IKEA Curtains vs Dunelm Curtains – The Honest Comparison
Before getting into specific products, the most useful framing is understanding what each store is genuinely best at.
IKEA curtains are best for: clean, minimal, Scandinavian-adjacent aesthetics, extremely budget-conscious buying, and renters who need something functional and removable without a significant investment. Their price points are unmatched – some of the most effective curtains available anywhere start at under £10 per pair at IKEA.
Dunelm curtains are best for: buyers who want significantly more style range, pattern options, and fabric variety than IKEA offers. Dunelm has been selling curtains since its founding over 40 years ago and manufactures many of its curtains right here in the UK. Their range spans budget through to premium, with made-to-measure options unavailable at IKEA.
The two stores are not really in direct competition – they serve overlapping but distinct buyer needs. Understanding which one serves your need is the most efficient starting point.
Best IKEA Curtains in 2026
RITVA – The Most Popular IKEA Curtain for Good Reason
The RITVA is consistently the most recommended IKEA curtain and has been for years. It is a dense, woven cotton curtain in white or off-white with heading tape – meaning it can be hung as pencil pleat, pinch pleat, or with clip rings depending on your preference. The weight and quality of the fabric is genuinely impressive at the price point.
The RITVA works best as a floor-to-ceiling curtain hung from close to the ceiling – this installation method is what gives it the expensive, considered look that has made it a staple in interior design accounts across Instagram and Pinterest. At the window it is simply a well-made white cotton curtain. At ceiling height with generous fullness, it looks like something from a far more expensive store.
Best for: Minimalist, Scandi, Japandi and neutral interiors Price: Around £25 to £35 per pair Heading: Heading tape – versatile across rod and track systems
ROSENMANDEL – Best IKEA Blackout Curtain
The ROSENMANDEL is one of only two curtains in Wirecutter’s testing that actually blocked nearly all light through the fabric. It is a woven matte polyester with a polyurethane coating that delivers near-pitch-black conditions at a remarkable price. For anyone who needs genuine blackout performance at a budget price point, the ROSENMANDEL is the strongest option available anywhere near its price range.
Available in grey and yellow-beige with heading tape. The grey version in particular pairs beautifully with warm interior palettes – it reads as a sophisticated charcoal rather than flat grey when hung with good fabric fullness.
Best for: Bedrooms, nurseries, any room needing genuine light blocking at budget price Price: Around £20 to £25 per pair Heading: Heading tape
For more on what to look for in blackout curtains specifically, see our complete blackout curtains guide which covers GSM weights, edge light solutions, and installation rules.
LENDA – Best for a Relaxed Linen Look
The LENDA is a linen-look cotton curtain with tie-backs included – the most casual and approachable IKEA curtain option. Available in light pink and off-white, it has a relaxed, slightly rumpled quality that suits farmhouse, Grandmillennial, and earthy-toned rooms where a perfectly tailored curtain would look out of place. It has a 4.7 star rating with over 475 reviews – the highest customer satisfaction of any IKEA curtain.
Best for: Relaxed, casual interiors, farmhouse and earthy-toned rooms Price: £24.99 per pair Heading: Heading tape with included tie-backs
GINSTMOTT – Best IKEA Curtain for Contemporary Rooms
The GINSTMOTT is IKEA’s most contemporary offering – available in eyelet heading as well as heading tape, and in a wider colour range including dark grey, beige, white and pink. The eyelet version hangs with a clean, modern fold that suits structured, contemporary interiors where the RITVA’s more traditional pleated heading would feel out of place.
Best for: Contemporary, modern, minimalist interiors Price: Mid-range IKEA pricing Heading: Eyelet or heading tape – check availability by colour
SKOGSKLÖVER – Best for Layering
The SKOGSKLÖVER roller blind is worth including in any IKEA curtain discussion because the defining window treatment trend of 2026 is pairing blinds and curtains from IKEA for better lighting and privacy control. The SKOGSKLÖVER is sheer, filters light without blocking it, and pairs extremely well behind the RITVA or LENDA as a layered window treatment – the blind handles daytime privacy and light filtering while the curtain provides evening coverage and decorative weight.
Best for: Layered window treatments, light filtering without blackout Rating: 4.2 stars with over 1,600 reviews
Best Dunelm Curtains in 2026
Dunelm Velvet Eyelet Curtains – The Style Leader
Dunelm’s velvet eyelet curtains are the strongest product in their entire range and represent the clearest point of differentiation from IKEA. They are available in a genuinely wide colour range – wine, oyster, gold, teal, dark grey-beige – and the velvet pile gives them the light-catching depth that no IKEA curtain can replicate.
Velvet curtains are one of the strongest 2026 interior choices, aligning directly with the jewel-tone and moody palette direction that is replacing quiet luxury. A pair of Dunelm wine or dark teal velvet curtains hung floor-to-ceiling against warm neutral walls is one of the most effective room transformations available without structural work. The eyelet heading gives them a clean, contemporary hang that works in modern and traditional rooms alike.
Best for: Bedrooms, living rooms wanting warmth and depth, Neo Deco and jewel-tone interiors Price: £40 to £90 per pair depending on size and colour Heading: Eyelet
Dunelm Thermal-Lined Curtains – Best for Energy Efficiency
Dunelm’s thermal-lined curtains are a category IKEA does not match. Their curtains with thermal linings are great for winter as they keep the warmth in and eliminate draughts. For rooms on external walls, north-facing rooms, or homes with older windows, thermal-lined curtains provide meaningful insulation that standard or blackout curtains alone do not.
Available in multiple fabrics and styles, the thermal lining adds relatively little to the cost but delivers real energy savings over a heating season. Dunelm manufactures many of these in the UK, which allows for a quality control standard that imported alternatives cannot guarantee.
Best for: Any room prioritising energy efficiency, north-facing rooms, cold rooms Price: From around £30 per pair
Dunelm Made-to-Measure Curtains – Best for Non-Standard Windows
This is the category where Dunelm has the clearest advantage over IKEA. Dunelm offers made-to-measure curtains across a selection of fabrics and styles – meaning non-standard window heights, bay windows, and oversized windows can be properly fitted rather than compromised by standard sizing. They also offer free fabric samples so you can assess colour and texture in your own room lighting before ordering.
IKEA does not offer made-to-measure curtains at all. For any window that falls outside standard sizing, Dunelm is the clear recommendation.
Best for: Non-standard windows, bay windows, rooms needing custom sizing Price: Variable by fabric and size – available in store and online
Dunelm Eyelet Curtains – The Everyday Range
Beyond the velvet statement options, Dunelm’s standard eyelet curtain range covers everyday fabrics including polyester, polycotton, and chenille in a significantly wider colour and pattern range than IKEA. Their eyelet curtains being one of the most popular ranges reflects consistent quality across the product line – easy to install, easy to clean, and available in sizes and colours that IKEA’s more limited range cannot match.
Customers have praised the quality in reviews consistently in 2026 – made to measure curtains specifically receiving strong feedback on construction and finish.
Best for: Budget-to-mid-range buyers wanting more style choice than IKEA offers Price: From £25 to £70 per pair
IKEA Curtains – What They Do Well and Where They Fall Short
What IKEA does well
Price is the primary advantage and it is significant. IKEA curtains start at prices that no comparable quality retailer matches. The RITVA and LENDA specifically offer fabric quality and drape that feel considerably more expensive than they are. IKEA also maintains a genuinely good blackout option in the ROSENMANDEL that competes with products costing significantly more.
The heading tape system used on most IKEA curtains is flexible – it allows the same curtain to be hung with pencil pleat, pinch pleat, or clip rings, which gives buyers more configuration options than eyelet-only curtains allow.
Where IKEA falls short
Style range is the primary limitation. IKEA’s curtain range is deliberately minimal – mostly white, off-white, grey, and a small number of muted tones. For buyers who want pattern, texture variety beyond linen-look, or jewel-tone colorways, IKEA cannot deliver.
Sizing is also more limited than Dunelm. IKEA curtains come in standard lengths that do not always suit non-standard window heights, and there is no made-to-measure option.
Dunelm Curtains – What They Do Well and Where They Fall Short
What Dunelm does well
Style range is Dunelm’s clearest strength. With hundreds of colours, materials, and patterns, Dunelm serves buyers who want their curtains to be a design element rather than a functional background. Their velvet range, pattern options (botanical, geometric, classic), and UK-manufactured quality products give them a depth of choice that no other accessible curtain retailer matches.
Made-to-measure is the second major strength – this alone makes Dunelm the only sensible choice for non-standard windows.
In-store experience is also worth noting – with 190 plus stores nationwide, Dunelm lets buyers see and feel curtains in person and order free fabric samples before committing. This removes the risk of colour disappointment that comes with online-only buying.
Where Dunelm falls short
Price at the premium end can stretch significantly. Made-to-measure and premium fabric options move into a price range where specialist curtain makers become competitive. Additionally, delivery and click-and-collect processes have received mixed reviews – some customers reporting delays and incomplete orders.
Which Is Better for Blackout Curtains – IKEA or Dunelm?
For pure blackout performance at the lowest price: IKEA ROSENMANDEL wins. It delivers near-pitch-black conditions at around £20 to £25 per pair – a price point Dunelm cannot match for equivalent blackout performance.
For blackout curtains that also look stylish: Dunelm wins. Their blackout eyelet range includes the velvet and patterned options that make the curtain a room feature rather than a functional blind. The Dunelm blackout velvet curtains specifically are one of the best ways to combine genuine light-blocking performance with the jewel-tone aesthetic direction of 2026.
For a full breakdown of blackout curtain performance, GSM weights, and the edge light problem that affects both IKEA and Dunelm curtains equally, see our blackout curtains buying guide.
Which Is Better for Living Rooms?
For a living room where curtains are a decorative feature as much as a functional one, Dunelm’s range has the stronger offering. The velvet, chenille, and pattern options create the visual richness that living room curtains should contribute to the overall room design.
However, for a minimal, Scandi, or Japandi-inspired living room where the curtain should recede into the background and let other elements lead, the IKEA RITVA hung floor-to-ceiling remains one of the best options available at any price. Its crisp white cotton, generous fabric fullness, and clean heading create exactly the airy, considered feel that these aesthetics require.
For styling guidance on how curtains interact with sofa colour, rug choice, and room palette, see our neutral sofa styling guide and our living room colour palettes guide – both cover curtain and window treatment choices as part of the overall styling approach.
Which Is Better for Bedrooms?
For bedrooms where blackout is the priority, IKEA ROSENMANDEL at the budget end and Dunelm blackout velvet at the mid-range are the two strongest options respectively.
For bedrooms where atmosphere is the priority, Dunelm’s velvet and thermal ranges create a cocooning, layered quality that IKEA’s more minimal options cannot match. A bedroom hung with floor-to-ceiling Dunelm wine or teal velvet curtains operates at a completely different aesthetic register from the same room with IKEA RITVA – both are good but they create fundamentally different rooms.
For bedrooms where light control matters alongside atmosphere, see our lighting control guide which covers how blackout curtains interact with layered artificial lighting throughout the day.
How to Choose the Right Curtains Regardless of Where You Buy
These rules apply whether you are buying from IKEA, Dunelm, or anywhere else.
Always hang higher than the window
The curtain rod or track should be mounted 4 to 6 inches above the window frame, not immediately above it. Hanging curtains close to the ceiling rather than close to the window is the single change that most dramatically improves how any curtain looks – it makes ceilings feel higher, windows feel larger, and curtains look intentional rather than installed.
Always use more fabric than you think you need
A good rule of thumb is to choose curtains that are 1.5 to 2 times the width of your window for a full, gathered look. Curtains that barely cover the window when closed look thin and functional rather than designed. Both IKEA and Dunelm sell panels individually as well as in pairs – buying three or four panels for a wide window rather than two is almost always worth the additional cost.
Always go floor-length
For a clean, modern look, curtain panels that just touch the floor are the most popular choice in 2026 when mounted near the ceiling. Curtains that stop at the windowsill look unfinished. Curtains that pool slightly on the floor look luxurious. The middle ground – curtains that stop halfway between sill and floor – is the most unflattering length and the one to avoid.
The Sizing Rules Most People Get Wrong
Curtain sizing causes more disappointment than any other curtain decision. These are the specific mistakes to avoid.
Measuring the window, not the curtain drop: The curtain drop should be measured from the rod or track to the floor – not from the top of the window frame. If you are hanging the rod 4 inches above the window frame, add 4 inches to the window height measurement.
Buying one pair for a wide window: A single pair of panels on a wide window pulls the fabric too thin and removes all the gathered, flowing quality that makes curtains look considered. Two pairs on a wide window always looks more intentional than one.
Choosing the wrong length: Standard drops available from both IKEA and Dunelm include 54 inches (137cm), 72 inches (182cm), 84 inches (213cm), and 90 inches (228cm). Measure from rod to floor before ordering – the difference between a 84-inch curtain that just touches the floor and one that stops 4 inches short is visually enormous.
Heading Styles Explained
The heading style determines how the curtain attaches to the rod or track and significantly affects the final look.
Eyelet (grommet): The most popular heading style in 2026. Metal rings through the top of the curtain thread directly onto a rod. Creates a clean, regular fold. Easy to install and slide open and close. Works best on standard rods. Dunelm’s most popular heading style.
Heading tape (pencil pleat): A stiffened strip at the top creates dense, even gathering when the tape is drawn up. Requires hooks to attach to a track or rings on a rod. Creates a more traditional, formal look. The most versatile heading style because the pleat depth can be adjusted. Used on most IKEA curtains.
Rod pocket: A sewn tunnel at the top through which the rod threads directly. Creates a very casual, gathered look. Easy to install but harder to slide open and close. Best for stationary decorative curtains rather than daily use.
Back tab: Hidden loops behind the top panel thread onto the rod. Creates a cleaner look than eyelet with visible fabric between the attachment points. More modern-looking than pencil pleat.
Both IKEA and Dunelm curtains work best as part of a complete room – and the accessories, textiles, and finishing touches around them are where the following brands come in naturally.
The Handlooms
For rugs and throws that complement both IKEA and Dunelm curtains – particularly in rooms with linen-look or earthy-toned curtains – The Handlooms’ handwoven textiles add the artisan layer that completes the room. A handwoven jute rug beneath a room hung with IKEA RITVA creates a cohesive, layered look that neither element achieves alone. Shop The Handlooms: thehandlooms.com
Pure Scentum
Rooms with floor-to-ceiling curtains benefit particularly from atmospheric candles – the curtains contain and concentrate both light and scent in a way that open rooms cannot. A Pure Scentum candle on a bedside table or coffee table in a room hung with blackout or velvet curtains creates a genuinely immersive atmosphere. Shop Pure Scentum: pure-scentum
Pamapic
For rooms where curtains are being chosen as part of a full furniture and soft furnishing refresh, Pamapic’s sofa and sectional range pairs naturally with both the minimal IKEA aesthetic and the richer Dunelm velvet direction. Shop Pamapic: pamapicamazonsellerus
Homestyler
Before buying any curtains, plan the full window layout in Homestyler’s 3D room planner. Testing floor-to-ceiling versus sill-length curtains and different heading styles in your specific room takes 20 minutes and prevents the most common curtain sizing mistakes entirely. Try Homestyler: homestyler
Final Thoughts
IKEA curtains and Dunelm curtains serve different buyers well. IKEA wins on price, minimal aesthetics, and the specific case of the ROSENMANDEL blackout curtain. Dunelm wins on style range, fabric quality at the mid-range, pattern variety, velvet options, and made-to-measure flexibility.
For most buyers in 2026, the answer is not either/or. IKEA’s RITVA or LENDA for the main living spaces where a clean, minimal backdrop is the goal. Dunelm’s velvet range for the bedroom or any room where the curtain should be a statement. And the sizing, hanging, and heading rules covered above applied to both – because no curtain from any store looks its best unless it is hung correctly.
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