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Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.” That’s why we call them Simply the Best.
When it comes to the world of drapes and curtains, the options can feel endless. Do you want colorful or neutral, patterned or minimal, long or short, lightweight or luxe? But don’t let choice paralysis leave your frames bare. Even the smallest windows deserve a bit of dressing up—and they don’t always need a statement-making fabric. In fact, stylist and florist Naomi deMañana says that all you really need is a pair of the best white curtains.
“This is one of the most popular curtain styles for a reason,” deMañana shares. “White curtains easily allow light to shine through, offering a nicer transition between morning, afternoon, and night.” She notes they can be as soft and subtle as you like, especially if your walls are already painted in a similar shade. “They’re like your favorite white tee: classic and timeless,” she continues. “You can’t go wrong.” Read on for our top picks for the best white window curtains.
Best Budget White Curtains
Three places to find solid affordable white curtains: Two Pages, H&M Home, and Amazon. Two Pages is backed by designers, and Lone Fox’s Drew Michael Scott relies on them for rental upgrades. The brand offers several different materials, hardware, and semi-customization when it comes to length, width, blackout, and motorization. H&M Home is an editor-favorite for budget-friendly home decor, and that extends to curtains. The selection isn’t extensive, but it does include muslin, linen-blend, and lyocell-blend options in different lengths. And, of course, Amazon is always there if you’re seeking a dizzying array of options. As always here: filter by starred reviews, look carefully at materials, and don’t forget your preference for how it looks at the top. (We tend to steer away from grommets.)
Two Pages
H&M Home
Amazon
Best Mid-Range White Curtains
If you have a little extra to spend on curtains, you can find panels that are a step up in quality for not much more. Anthropologie has the striped curtain market cornered, but their neutrals are also nothing to sneeze at. The much-loved Pallido style comes in white, and the below linen-blend look is highly-rated. (The retailer’s sheers are considerably less expensive.) Quince makes a small line of curtains, and while you can find cotton and linen here, you can also get velvet and linen blackout versions. CB2 always brings a luxe feel to the forefront, and that’s on display in their silk duponi curtains as well as boucle. West Elm adds a little something extra to some panels in their mix, like a best-selling worn velvet and a scalloped panel that also happens to be blackout.
Anthropologie
Quince
CB2
West Elm
Best High-End White Curtains
If you’re in renovation or redecorating overdrive, don’t skimp on the finishing touches. Nordic Knots makes gorgeous styles that range from ethereal sheers to Good Design Award-winning wool. We love that the brand’s smart band design fits tracks or rods and standard hooks. Annie Selke is one of our go-to’s for rugs and bedding, but they also stock chic white panels that come in a variety of lengths. And Pepper Home may be better known for semi-customizable prints, but there are neutrals hanging out on their virtual shelves, too. Pick your band construction, width, and lining from pre-determined options, and then plug in the specific length you want.
Nordic Knots
Annie Selke
Pepper Home
Best Custom White Curtains
Sometimes, customization is just the way to go. And in recent years, the DTC options have expanded to lend more transparency to the process. There’s no way around the higher price point here, as the below brands use premium materials, offer expert guidance, and provide personalized customer support. Tap Everhem for editor-tested cafe curtains (and wrap-around drapes), Wovn Home for Belgian linen and a selection of prints, and The Shade Store for seemingly infinite options, as well as collaborations with designers like Nate Berkus, Sheila Bridges, and Martyn Lawrence Bullard.
Everhem
Wovn Home
The Shade Store
How We Chose These Products
We prioritized natural materials, sourced from brands that are trusted by our discerning editors, and added in a few unconventional, unique styles to show that white curtains are anything but boring. In fact, these picks prove that the best white curtains aren’t just panels of plain cotton; they can be velvet or blackout, lined or unlined, long or short, for every window type and style.
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Material
When it comes to curtains, its best to prioritize natural fibers for both aesthetic and environmental reasons. But that’s not to say synthetic blends should be completely dismissed; some fibers, when used in smaller quantities, can help with durability and maintenance. White curtains can be made from a variety of materials, but these are the ones you’ll find on deMañana’s list:
- Cotton. DeMañana says cotton lends a simple, fresh feel. It’s a “sweet” fabric, by her standards, and she loves placing it in the kitchen for this reason. Cotton is a broad category that encompasses other weaves like muslin and voile.
- Linen. On the other hand, deMañana describes linen as being a bit earthier, since you can actually see the woven details. “A really thin weave of linen will both filter and provide light,” she says, but she stresses that it’s the weight more than the weave that determines the amount of sun that trickles through. Take note: A 100% linen option has a tendency to react to humidity levels, which can cause the fabric to slightly shrink or expand.
- Polyester. An artificial fiber, polyester is derived from plastic, though there are some alternatives out there created from recycled materials. It’s typically blended with the natural fibers listed above to cut back on manufacturing costs and increase durability.
- Viscose. This is another synthetic fiber; lightweight and soft, it’s typically tapped as a substitute for silk. And although it’s primarily made from tree pulp, chemicals are still needed to create it, so we’d only recommend it as part of a blend, if at all.
Installation and Hardware
While it’s up to interpretation and personal preference, the standard is to hang curtains just above the window or between the window and ceiling and to use panels that are double the width of the window frame. As far as length goes, “there are generally three different styles to dress your windows: at the windowsill, just below the sill, or at the floor,” explains deMañana. For a bit of drama, try long white curtains that reach the floor, a look she particularly prefers in bedrooms and living areas. In kitchens, ending at the sill is a more common tactic.
Taking measurements is as easy as grabbing your measuring tape. Extend the tape from the top of the windows to where you want your curtains to fall, whether it’s at the sill or kissing the floor. And don’t forget to factor in a curtain rod. We almost always suggest going with a rod that can extend past the window frame. If light blocking is the goal, opt for outside mounting: Install the rod around 4 to 6 inches above the top of the window or from the middle point between the window frame and ceiling. (This will also drive home the illusion of a taller ceiling and larger room.) For inside mounting, on the other hand, install a rod within the frame. This is great for letting in light but means your curtains are limited to the size of your window.
Care and Maintenance
For the most part, curtains can largely be left out of your weekly cleaning routine, though as a fabric, they attract much of the same things other furnishings in your home do: odors, dust, you name it. We’d suggest taking your curtains down for a gentle wash cycle about once or twice a year (but first consult the manufacturer’s instructions—some panels are dry-clean only). And do be warned: Going with a white curtain does raise the same concerns as wearing a white sweater to an Italian restaurant. The color may require some extra care, like more frequent dusting or brushing, as fiber buildup can be more noticeable.
Ask Domino
Q: Why are my white curtains turning yellow?
What type of material are your curtains? Some fabrics are more susceptible to discoloration, a natural process that happens over time and can be hastened by sunlight (which curtains are exposed to all day long). Also, how do you usually clean your curtains? If you’ve been overwashing or introducing intense chemicals like bleach, synthetic fibers will more easily lose their dye. Next time, mix a half cup of hydrogen peroxide with a gentle detergent to see if it helps, or spot-treat stains as you notice them.
Q: Will white curtains provide enough privacy?
This is more dependent on the type of curtains you decide to go with. Sheer white curtains, for instance, will definitely not do much in the way of obscuring the view inside your home. If privacy is priority number one, we’d suggest going with blackout curtains, soundproof curtains, or panels that are lined. Velvet curtains are also a nice choice, especially if you’re looking for a hint of luxury or to cover up drafty frames.
The Last Word
Drapery is the ultimate finishing touch in a room, and the best white curtains can add a lovely layer of softness while concealing any unsightly window frames and drawing the eye up, elongating the walls and ceilings of your space. If you’re overthinking how to dress up your windows, don’t: All you need are the best white curtains.