The 9 Best Velvet Curtains of 2023
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Stylish options to add a luxurious touch to your space
The Spruce / Reese Herrington
Giving your space a luxurious look doesn’t have to cost a lot or require a huge makeover. Adding simple touches, like velvet curtains, can make even a small bedroom or nursery feel like a castle. And while velvet does offer a high-end touch, many modern fabrics actually aren’t that high maintenance. “These things can often be washed at home, although some require special care,” says Krissia Garcia, founder of Maryland-based cleaning service Kriss Klean. To get an even crisper look, you can even iron them—just make sure to read the care instructions for your product of choice.
SANELA Room darkening curtains
Best Overall
What We Like
Budget-friendly
Multiple colors available
Can hang two ways
Luxurious drape
What We Don't Like
Only sold in sets of 2
These curtains from IKEA are super affordable but still come with all of the features and luxury you would expect from velvet curtains. They come in eight different solid colors, although no prints. These curtains are extra thick, which helps them drape elegantly as well as provides a sound-dampening effect. They do block out some light to darken the room, but they are not true blackout curtains.
You have a couple of options to hang the curtains, another great feature if you expect to be moving at some point and want to keep your options open. There are tabs on the back for a curtain rod, which creates a uniform look across the top. You can also use hooks to connect the curtain to a track, both sold separately at IKEA.
They are sold in a pair of two, which works for most windows and uses. However, if you need a single panel, you will need to purchase a pair and have one left over. Fortunately, they are budget-friendly and a pair is cheaper than some other options that are sold as single panels.
Price at time of publish: $64.99
Material: Cotton | Sizes Available: 55 x 84, 55 x 98, 55 x 118 inches | Number of Panels: 2
MIULEE Velvet Curtains Olive Green Elegant Grommet Curtains
Best Budget
What We Like
Affordable
Blackout curtains
Many colors and lengths
What We Don't Like
Only one hanging option
Also sold as a set of two panels, these curtains bring a luxury look for a budget-friendly price. They are also blackout curtains, so you can save even more by skipping a second layer of drapes or blinds, while still getting the darkening effect that helps with sleep. They come in 20 colors and six lengths. All of the panels are 52 inches wide.
These only come in a grommet design. There are eight grommets sewn into the top of each panel. They work best with curtain rods up to 1.6 inches in diameter. The grommets keep the curtain panels tidy and uniform at the top, letting them drape well as they hang down. That doesn’t leave a lot of flexibility, however, if you decide that you don’t like that look or if your curtain rod is thicker. MIULEE makes velvet curtains with rod pockets and back tabs but they do not have the same blackout velvet material.
Price at time of publish: $42.95
Material: Microsuede | Sizes Available: 52 x 63, 52 x 72, 52 x 84, 52 x 90, 52 x 96, 52 x 108 inches | Number of Panels: 2
West Elm Worn Velvet Curtain
Best Luxury
What We Like
Extra thick and luxurious fabric
Can be hung multiple ways
Blackout option
Can purchase single panels or sets
Helpful style tips
What We Don't Like
Expensive
Only one width available
These extra thick velvet curtains from West Elm look and feel like a luxurious purchase. If you want to elevate your space with statement-making curtains, these are a top pick. They have a slight sheen, which adds to the vintage velvet look. You can hang them using the rod pocket or backtabs, which allows for some customization with your overall style. West Elm also provides styling recommendations, a guide to hanging curtains to get the desired look, and photos from customers showing the curtains in real rooms.
They come in lined or unlined, as well as individual panels or pairs. You can also choose from three lengths. They only come in one width, 48 inches, which is a bit narrower than some curtains. This might mean that you need more panels to get the same plush look and full window coverage.
Price at time of publish: $240
Material: Polyester | Sizes Available: 48 x 84, 48 x 96, 48 x 108 inches| Number of Panels: 1 or 2
StangH Velvet Blackout Curtains
Best Color Options
What We Like
Many color options
Many length options
Grommet or rod pocket top
What We Don't Like
Not a blackout curtain
These velvet curtains, which are sold as a pair, come in 25 colors. You can choose from neutrals like ivory, black, and grey or opt for an on-trend color, such as mustard gold or burgundy. Most of the colors are deeper jewel tones rather than bright, primary colors. They also come in seven lengths, so you can find just the right look and color for your space.
This set has grommets on the top but you can also look for the same curtains with a rod pocket. Neither one has a true blackout liner. The fabric is thick and does a decent job of blocking bright light from the outside. But if you want to create a really dark space, consider adding a blackout curtain behind these panels.
Price at time of publish: $39.95
Material: Velvet | Sizes Available: 52 x 63, 52 x 72, 52 x 84, 52 x 90, 52 x 96, 52 x 108, 52 x 120 inches | Number of Panels: 2
Melodieux 100% Blackout Velvet Curtains
Best Blackout
What We Like
Double layered
Provides thermal insulation
Tie backs included
What We Don't Like
Not a lot of color options
Blackout curtains typically have an extra layer of fabric to block out more light and sound, resulting in a darker room. These curtains from Melodieux have a front layer of plush velvet that adds style to your space and a black back layer that provides thermal and light insulation. Not only can it block out light, you may even get to enjoy a warmer space.
They only come in five colors and a blue option is noticeably missing from their lineup. They have great neutral options, including beige, black, and grey, as well as some jewel tones that look great in plush velvet. The set of two panels has grommets on the top for hanging and comes with two matching decorative tie-backs.
Price at time of publish: $59.89
Material: Suede | Sizes Available: 52 x 63, 52 x 84, 52 x 96 inches | Number of Panels: 2
Text Link:The 8 Best Blackout Curtains of 2023
Pottery Barn Velvet Twill Blackout Curtain
Best Ring Top
What We Like
Multiple options to hang
Classic color options
Come in light filtering or blackout
What We Don't Like
Expensive
Rings sold separately
If you want to have a few options for hanging your blackout curtains, the Pottery Barn Velvet Twill curtains are just what you need. You can hang them using the rod pocket, back tabs, or by attaching ring tabs to the loops on the back of the panel. They come in eight colors. Like many of Pottery Barn’s products, they are all neutral and work with a classic, traditional style.
You will need to purchase rings separately, which adds to the already high cost of the curtains. That does give you the opportunity to choose the finish that best matches your style or curtain rod. When choosing curtains, you can also decide between light filtering options, which are slightly less expensive, and blackout curtains. These are pricier but provide a barrier to keep out light that may disturb your sleep.
Price at time of publish: $149
Material: Cotton | Sizes Available: 50 x 84, 50 x 96, 50 x 108 inches | Number of Panels: 1
west elm Cotton Velvet Curtain Dark Olive
Best Eco-Friendly
What We Like
Company partners with cotton initiatives
Relaxed, matte finish
Multiple hanging options
What We Don't Like
Expensive
These relaxed velvet curtains are made of 100% cotton. West Elm invests in the Better Cotton initiative, which ensures that cotton is grown sustainably and harvested and processed in a way that does not exploit workers. They are stonewashed and have a matte finish, which is a bit more casual than some other high-sheen velvet curtains.
These have all of the great features of other West Elm curtains at a slightly better price point, although they are still expensive. You can hang them by using the rod pocket or back tabs to create more formal pleats. If you aren’t sure how to style them, you can always browse the recommended hardware and accessories curated by West Elm’s design team.
Price at time of publish: $135
Material: Cotton | Sizes Available: 48 x 84, 48 x 96, 48 x 108 inches | Number of Panels: 1 or 2
Anthropologie Layne Velvet Curtain
Best Decorative
What We Like
Detailed flower design
Multiple colors available
Coordinates with bedding
Machine washable
What We Don't Like
Expensive
No blackout option
The floral details on the Layne curtains from Anthropologie add a touch of visual interest while the velvet fabric is luxurious and plush. They are made of polyester velvet and can be washed in the washing machine. They come in three colors, ivory, ochre, and teal. Each color option has coordinating floral designs in a contrasting color (or colors) and Anthropologie also makes a quilt that matches the ochre version in the same velvet fabric.
These curtains are sold as individual panels and are expensive given that you’ll need to purchase multiple to make the biggest statement. They do hold up well over time without fading, although they don’t provide much for blackout or light filtering. If you plan to put them in a bedroom, you may want to factor in the added cost of adding a blackout liner behind the curtain panels.
Price at time of publish: $88
Material: Polyester | Sizes Available: 50 x 63, 50 x 84, 50 x 96, 50 x 108 inches | Number of Panels: 1
Text Link:The 11 Best Blackout Shades of 2023
Mercer41 Belknap Velvet Room Darkening Curtain Pair (Set of 2)
Best for Hanging
What We Like
Affordable
Grommets fit most curtain rods
Thermal and sound insulation
What We Don't Like
No blackout liner
Only one way to hang
Narrow panels
These curtains have grommets at the top, one of the easiest ways to hang curtains. They are also unlined, which means they don’t blackout light, but also means that they are uniform in color on the front and back. They do provide some thermal insulation and noise reduction, as well as light filtering. The grommets are 1.6 inches in diameter and made of metal. They will hold up even when being washed.
They come in 17 colors, although not all colors are available in all sizes. These are great affordable velvet curtains that provide a luxe look without a ton of extra options or frills. At just 38 inches wide, however, you may need to purchase multiple sets to cover your window or get a full enough look. While they don’t have multiple options for hanging, they are a good, easy-to-use staple that's also budget-friendly.
Price at time of publish: Varies
Material: Velvet | Sizes Available: 38 x 63, 38 x 84, 38 x 95, 38 x 108 inches | Number of Panels: 2
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Our top pick is the pair of IKEA Sanela Room Darkening Velvet Curtains. They are affordable but still drape elegantly and have a uniform velvet appearance. Plus, they come in multiple colors and can be hung in different ways depending on your preference. For an even more budget-friendly option, consider the MIULEE Velvet Grommet Curtains. They are available in 20 colors and 6 lengths.
What to Look for in Velvet Curtains
Size
Curtains are measured by both width and length. The best size for your window depends on the dimensions as well as the style that you want to achieve. For a fuller look, hang multiple panels that are long enough to touch or even pool on the floor. Shorter curtains look more tailored, although they should still be close to the floor in most cases.
Keep in mind that the way that you hang them can have an impact on the length as well. Ring-top curtains hang a couple of inches lower than their measured length. The Pottery Barn Velvet Twill Curtains, IKEA Sanela Room Darkening Velvet Curtains, and West Elm Cotton Velvet Curtain all have multiple hanging options and sizes available.
Material
Velvet is most often made from cotton or polyester. Traditionally, it was made from silk, which is very expensive and not common in today’s velvet options. Polyester velvet tends to have more of a sheen, but can be machine washable, like the Anthropologie Layne Velvet Curtains. Cotton can provide a more laid-back look with a matte velvet texture, like the West Elm Cotton Velvet Curtain.
Color and Style
Velvet curtains almost always come in solid colors. This lets the luxurious texture get your full attention, one of the benefits of choosing velvet curtains. Deeper colors and jewel tones, such as green, red, and blue, are more common in velvet curtains than in some other styles. There are a few printed designs, like the Anthropologie Layne Velvet Curtains.
Installation Requirements
Look for curtains that pair well with the curtain rods that you have or plan to use. Some curtains, such as the Mercer41 Belknap Velvet Room Darkening Curtain Pair, can only be hung one way. Others, including the West Elm Worn Velvet Curtain and the StangH Grey Velvet Curtains can be hung using a rod pocket or back tabs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to clean velvet curtains?
“Make sure to follow the care instructions for your curtains and linens,” said Garcia. Some can be washed on a gentle cycle. Others need to be dry cleaned or handwashed to protect the fabric. You can also iron or steam your curtains to remove wrinkles and get the best overall results. Like when cleaning any curtains, you should use the appropriate heat setting on your washing machine, dryer, and iron.
How long do velvet curtains last?
Velvet curtains can last for years when you care for them well. Thicker curtains will typically last longer than thin ones, although excessive wear and sunlight can make them fade. If you do need to clean your curtains, make sure that you follow the recommendations from the manufacturer. Pay close attention to the temperature of the water, if you can wash them at home, as well as drying instructions.
How do you remove creases from velvet curtains?
Use a handheld steamer to get creases and wrinkles out of your velvet curtains. Garment steamers are helpful to have around the house, especially those with hoses that can reach the top of your curtains. You can also iron them using a handheld iron and ironing board, although that can be difficult given the larger size of most curtains.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. To compile this list, she researched and reviewed velvet curtains from established home decor designers as well as available and highly-rated options from online retailers. She also spoke with Krissia Garcia, founder of Maryland-based cleaning service Kriss Klean, about the best ways to care for delicate items like velvet.
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