Why are Curtains so Expensive?

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By Blake Lockwood | Curated by Blake Lockwood | Reviewed by Blake Lockwood

Blake Lockwood, the seasoned interior designer behind Decor Snob, has made a name for himself with over 30 years of industry experience. As a member of esteemed associations such as the NCIDQ, CIDA, NAAB, and CCIDC, he upholds high standards in his work.  His content is always people-first, reliable, and engaging.

RHF Wide Thermal Blackout Patio door Curtain Panel, Sliding door curtains Antique Bronze Grommet Top

The harsh reality that you learn once you have your own home is that furniture and décor can be rather expensive, likely more than you can imagine, especially if you haven’t previously lived on your own. According to Nikissoftfurnishings.com, made to order custom curtains can cost as little as $300, or as much as $1000+.

Curtains are expensive because a lot of time and effort is spent making them. There are also costs for quality materials and supplies used which need to be covered plus extra for a profit to be made.

The price you pay to purchase a pair of curtains can completely depend on a number of factors such as quality, the materials used, the drop, width, labor time, and customization; all these things will contribute to the price that you pay. If you want better quality items, then you need to expect to pay more, this is one of the many reasons why curtains are so expensive.

A lot of the time when we buy something expensive, we can’t quite understand why we are paying such a hefty price, especially when you might be able to get it cheaper elsewhere. But we’re here to explain the pricing of curtains so you can understand what you are paying for and why they are so expensive.

Quality of Curtains

The thing is, you get what you pay for, curtains can be bought cheap, but the likelihood is, is that they will not be top quality and this is because they are mass-produced and where mistakes can happen. They might not last as long due to poor stitching and quite frankly might be a waste of money. Unfortunately, but understandably you have to pay more for good quality items.

Materials Used

The cost will also depend on the materials that are used to make the curtains. For example, if you purchase curtains that are light and the material is thin, it is going to cost less than heavier and thicker curtains.

Fabrics like silk and linen are more expensive to purchase than artificial fabrics like viscose and polyester, and this is why if you pick this type of material, you will pay much more.

Labor Time

A lot of people forget that when you buy custom made curtains, someone has to spend the time to physically make them. They need to discuss the curtain design with the customer, plan the design, do sketches, measure the materials, do the stitching and any more delicate details. These are all things that add up in time.

According to belacasa.com, on average, a custom made curtain designer will take around 20 pages of notes and sketches per custom order. Therefore, you can see that part of the price is the time it has taken to make them.

Customization

Customization relates to labor time because it requires much more time to make when you are adding specifics such as embroidery, patterns, etc. If you have a specific design you want for your curtains then you need to expect to pay more, someone will be spending time planning and doing your design, and secondly, you are using more materials for it.

What are the benefits of spending more money on curtains?

It might be tough parting with your money, but there are some benefits to spending more money on curtains.

Value for money

Spending more on curtains will almost guarantee value for your money in the long run, they will be a better quality which hopefully means that they will last much longer than any cheap curtains you purchase.

Block out light

The more you pay for curtains, the better they will be, this includes blocking out light. Usually, when you buy cheap curtains, the lining is a cheap and thin, light material will do nothing for blocking any light out.

Block out sound

The heavier the curtain is, the better that it will block out sound. For example, if you live on a busy main road, then having a heavy curtain might help to block any sounds of cars, people, etc. while you have them closed.

Personalize your home interior

Cheap curtains can sometimes look cheap and tacky, but when you spend more money, they are better quality and will give a beautiful look in your home.

However, if you are looking to spend less on curtains, then it might be worth taking a look at what Amazon has to offer, Nicetown sells thermal insulated blackout curtains in a variety of sizes and colors. Please keep in mind that these will not be made to measure and might not last as long as custom made curtains.

Conclusion

Curtains are expensive because of the time and effort that goes into the designing and production of them, especially when they are made to order and have a custom design and fit.

At the end of the day, how much you want to spend on curtains will depend on your personal circumstances and preferences. If you aren’t too worried about the quality, whether they block out light and sound, then buying more expensive curtains that are designed to do this might be a waste of money when you can buy cheaper curtains.

Photo: RHF Wide Thermal Blackout Patio door Curtain Panel, Sliding door curtains Antique Bronze Grommet Top

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