One of life’s simplest pleasures is drawing the curtains on a gorgeously sunny morning. At the same time, one of life’s greatest horrors is having the curtains drawn prematurely while in a deep slumber and having bright, white sunlight streaming directly into our desperately tired faces.
While we can only hope that our dear readers don’t suffer friends, family and housemates committing such heinous crimes, sleep-disturbing blazing sunlight can also be caused by a distinct lack of curtains.
There’s nothing quite as frustrating as moving into a new home with bare windows and knowing that your mornings are set to be horrifyingly glaring until you’re able to source the perfect, black-out soft furnishings.
Yet curtains needn’t only serve a practical purpose. The soft furnishing can be an interior design marvel when used correctly and can appear in more places throughout the home than you might have initially thought.
Contemporary interior design maestros have been known to borrow from vintage trends which were popular throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s by placing curtains and voiles in seemingly unexpected places.
For instance, stand-alone bathroom and kitchen sinks can benefit from decorative curtains instead of cupboard doors, while curtain valances can be employed to create delightfully cosy bed nooks.
Sheer voiles with intriguing patterns help create privacy while allowing natural sunlight to stream into rooms throughout the day in non-threatening and beautiful ways.
You needn’t spend a fortune to adorn your home with gorgeous soft furnishings. We’ve curated a selection of the best value-for-money curtains in the UK. Keep scrolling to transform your space with fabulous fabrics.
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Grove Multi Pencil Pleat Curtains
Offered in a lovely bucolic print, the Grove curtains feature an array of watercolour-style florals and leaves. Perfect for lovers of autumnal aesthetics, the curtains are fully lined and equipped with a pencil pleat tape.
Buy now £30.00, Julian Charles Home
Ruskin Cotton Pencil Pleat Curtains
A value-for-money dupe of William Morris’ iconic Strawberry Thief pattern, the Ruskin Cotton Pencil Pleat Curtains from Dunelm are sure to add some sophisticated elegance to your home. Crafted from 100 per cent cotton face fabric with polycotton striped lining, arts and crafts enthusiasts will rejoice in these lovely soft furnishings.
Buy now £35.00, Dunelm
Linford Stripe Unlined Slot Top Curtains
Not only do these gorgeous curtains fit in with the perennial Scandinavian chic interiors trend, but bargain hunters can be satisfied by the fact that they’re also an eco-conscious choice. Available in two different neutral colourways, we love how the slot-top finish removes the need for curtain rings while delivering a chic, vintage aesthetic.
Buy now £30.00, Dunelm
Orla Kiely Solid Stem Ready Made Eyelet Curtains Pear
Orla Kiely’s signature stem print has been in style since it was first created in 2000. The wonderfully simple, repetitive graphic leaf has become an enduring motif and offers a brilliant way to effortlessly inject colour into your home. The simple jade green and turquoise would look fabulous in an open-plan kitchen and dining room area.
Buy now £43.14, Terrys Fabrics
Pure Cotton Embroidered Multiway Curtains
Employ the unexpected red theory in your home this season with the help of M&S’ lovely rust-coloured cotton curtains which feature a contrasting yellow crochet trim. The unlined soft furnishing allows light to subtly pass through, creating an unbeatably warm atmosphere. The multiway header also means that you can choose between hanging them directly on a pole or using hooks and rings.
Buy now £40.00, M&S
GLASÖRT Sheer curtain
Look no further than the newest addition to Ikea’s curtain family for decorative sunset-hued excellence. This lovely sheer panel can be hung behind your bed to elevate your bedroom aesthetic.
Buy now £29.00, Ikea
Habitat Double Voile Unlined Sheer Curtain - Natural
We adore how the double voile effect on these Habitat curtains mimics the aesthetic of a high-end valance. Though unlined, they’d make a gorgeous decorative and sunlight-muting addition to any home. They could also be used to create divisions in open-plan spaces.
Buy now £14.00, Habitat
Skoum 100% Organic Cotton Voile Sheer Curtain Panel
Subtly checked for an understated touch of elegance, this Skoum 100 per cent organic voile curtain would make a fine addition to any interior space and is available in a variety of sizes. It’s complete with a lovely satin finish around the edges and is machine washable at 40°C.
Buy now £26.40, La Redoute
La Redoute Interieurs x Roisin Quinn La Fleur Blackout Blind
La Redoute’s collaboration with the winner of BBC’s Interior Design Masters season 5 is a dopamine-boosting delight. We simply can’t believe the blackout blind is available for under £40.
Buy now £35.00, La Redoute
John Lewis Gingham Check Weave Pair Lined Hidden Tab Top Curtains
Forever stylish, cotton gingham has the power to instantly make a house feel like a home. John Lewis offers a pair of high-quality lined curtains with a hidden tab at the top in two different neutral colourways.
Buy now £65.00, John Lewis
