Do you have a fear of buying curtains online? You are not alone! I’ve been swooning over the Two Pages curtains online for years now. I’m not in a season to buy because we are still renovating but that hasn’t stopped me from ordering samples and trying to make a game plan! Fearful of ordering the wrong size or details I’ve done an extensive amount of research. I’m going to go into how to choose the right size and style to help you not only feel comfortable buying curtains online but get that elevated, designer look. Not to mention how to measure for the right size for your space.
Trust me when I tell you, it’s a lot to consider so I’m here to share what I’ve learned if you want to skip all the research and fast forward to the answers you need.
You can certainly buy curtains without custom ordering but there are a few key details to get right if you’re hoping to get the designer look! If you’re going to be buying curtains online, this is going to be a helpful guide!
Picking Details That Make Your Curtains Look High-End
The secret to designer-looking curtains is all in the details. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your panels:
Fabric Matters: Heavier-weight fabrics like linen blends, cotton canvas, velvet, and even lined polyester drape beautifully and give off a more expensive feel. Avoid sheer or thin, unlined panels unless you’re intentionally layering.
Color & Texture: Stick to neutral tones or soft patterns for a timeless feel. Linen, flax, and subtle textures tend to look elevated even at lower price points.
Header Style: Opt for pleated tops (like pinch pleat, tailored pleat, or Euro pleat) for a custom-made look. If you’re going with rod pocket or grommet styles, make sure the fabric still falls in full, even folds—this brings in that polished effect.
Lining: If possible, choose lined curtains. They hang better, block more light, and look more substantial—especially from outside the home.
Curtain Sizing for a Designer Look
Sizing is everything when it comes to curtains. Here’s how to avoid the most common mistakes and make your windows look larger and more custom:
Hang High: Mount your curtain rod as high as possible—ideally 4-10 inches above the window frame, or even just below the ceiling crown, depending on the amount of space you have. This draws the eye upward and makes the ceilings look taller.
Go Wide: Extend the curtain rod beyond the width of your window—around 8–12 inches on either side. This allows your curtains to frame the window beautifully when open and not block any light.
Full-Length Always Wins: Curtains should either kiss the floor or puddle slightly—never float several inches above. Measure carefully so your curtains land just right.
Don’t Skimp on Width: For full, rich-looking panels, a single panel width should be at least 2 times the width of your window. This ensures that even when they’re closed, they look luxurious—not skimpy.
How to Measure for Buying Curtains Online
Getting accurate measurements upfront will save you headaches later. Here’s a simple guide:
Width
Measure the width of your window
Multiply by 4 for fullness
Divide by the number of panels you’ll be using.
Example: For a 36″ wide window and two panels, aim for each panel to be 70″+ wide for a full look. This would be a total of at least 140″ combined.
…if you are buying curtains pre-made you may be limited on panel width sizes. For example, if you can get a panel that is 40″ wide then simply double up your order and get 2. It’s better to have more than less!
Length
Decide where you’ll hang your rod (again typically anywhere from 4–10″ above the window frame). I’ve found that 6 inches is a good sweet-spot, especially if you don’t have high ceilings.
Measure from the rod down to where you want the curtains to fall (just touching the floor, or a slight puddle).
If using curtain rings or hooks, account for any extra drop they may add. Tip – you can get adjustable curtain rings that attach to the hooks that allow you to adjust up or down to get that perfect length. I would highly suggest this option.
Where to Buy Custom Curtains Online
As I mentioned before, my personal preference for custom curtains is Two Pages. They really offer the best options at a good price. They have a lot of options to explore but my personal preference is their Liz Linen Drape Pleated. These take the guess work out of things! You can pick your fabric preference, header, length, width, and liner. I’m leaning towards the Ivory White for my home. It’s the third shade in the pallet. It’s a bit creamy – not white and not beige.
And here are my go-to curtain rod options: here and here. These come in multiple sizes and finishes.
If the TwoPages brand is still out of your price range and your looking for an even more budget-friendly option here are 2 I’ve personally tried that are great dupes!
Option 1 – two different width options and a variety of lengths available. I ordered a set of these to test in a downstairs bedroom with 9.5 ft ceilings so I went with the 102″. I got the Natural Linen color which is actually a bit on the darker side.
Option 2 – limited on width but there are several length options. I used these in a bedroom with 9 ft ceilings. The weight of these are great and I love the fact that they’re blackout. It seems like the less light it lets in the more high-end they appear. I have the linen color and they are a true creamy color that have the woven look like linen.
I really like both of these! Both options are blackout and really do a great job in that department. They hang nicely right out of the package but they need a little steaming. They both come as a pair but for my 36″ windows I have 2 sets, so 4 total, per window. An added bonus is that they both come with the adjustable plastic hooks and I put them on rings that match my rod. Here is a pack I’ve bought on repeat from Amazon.
