Finding the best white curtains for a space is easier said than done. It involves navigating a sea of inconspicuous shades of white (think: ivory, bone, pure white, off-white), considering weight (how sheer) also transparent? ) and choose a perfect length, neither too short nor too long.
What designers think are the best white curtains
The stakes of getting it right are surprisingly high. Ideal white curtains will make your space feel bright and inviting, rather than smaller and darker than it actually is. To help narrow down your search, we asked some of our favorite interior designers to tell us which white curtains they buy time and time again. They did not disappoint.
Keep scrolling to see which white curtains get the pro seal of approval.
White Repair Hardware Italian Textured Woven Curtains
Los Angeles interior designer Kerry Vasquez loves Restoration Hardware’s white pleated curtains. “The quality is top-notch, the weight of the curtains is gorgeous and the way they fall is just right,” she explains.
“I’m a big fan of contrast, so when hanging white curtains, I usually choose black wrought iron hardware, like Pottery Barn’s Antique Bronze Hardware Collection,” she adds. “If space allows, I also like to hang the curtain rods closer to the ceiling than the windows!”
One mistake Vasquez often makes is that people buy the wrong size curtains. “Many times, clients end up with curtains that are too small, making the room and windows look smaller than they actually are,” explains the designer. When in doubt, choose the longer version.
If you’re ready to ditch the IKEA curtains you’ve been using, Shaun Crha, chief designer and founder of Wrested Interiors, recommends opting for custom-made curtains. “Everhem is great for upgrading from big-box curtains because they make it easy to get all the sizes and proportions right,” he says. “My favorite is the bone fabric with pinch pleats.”
According to Crha, an add-on is 100% worth the extra money. “If you want them to last longer, I always recommend using lined panels, as exposure to UV rays can really cause damage to the fabric,” the designer advises. Especially if you hang curtains in a sun-drenched dining room (as shown) or a light-filled living room.
Hot tip: If you’re hanging curtains in your bedroom, Crha recommends proven installation techniques. “If you like a classic look and want to stop light from hitting your face while you sleep, try a French return bar,” he says.
Pottery Barn Custom Ivory Emery Linen Curtains
Designer Isabella Patrick recently purchased these ivory curtains for a client who didn’t want to spend a fortune on custom curtains for her rental apartment. When choosing the right white curtains, Patrick recommends considering the shade’s undertone and considering the overall color palette of the space first. “This Pottery Barn option—if installed and designed correctly—will elevate a room and create an overall upscale and warm atmosphere,” she tells us.
So, how to install curtains correctly? “A good rule for hanging is to mount the hardware wider than the window frame, and don’t be afraid to extend beyond the window frame to create the illusion of a larger window,” explains the designer. “The same goes for hanging height. You can go a few inches or more above the window frame to create the illusion of a larger window while also counteracting the effect of off-the-shelf curtain lengths that may be too long.
The Shade Store White Linen Wave Folding Curtains
New York interior designer Becky Shea prefers white linen curtains from The Shade Store. But the style is very special. “Without a doubt, my favorite curtain style is ripple pleated curtains,” Shay reveals. “The cascading folds of rippled pleats embody timeless, quiet luxury.”
She also recommends hanging curtains so they create a 1/4-inch puddle on the floor. “It gives the curtains a more sophisticated look and feel,” she explains. “My biggest no-no is hanging curtains next to a window or above the floor—never, ever do that. At the very least, the curtain should be snug to the floor, and ideally, it should be slightly puddled.
Threshold™ Light Filtering Farrah Curtain Panels
“I’ve bought an embarrassing amount of curtains over the years in search of the perfect style, but I think I’ve finally found ‘the one,'” Carrie Waller says of her favorite said the white curtains. One of Waller’s selling points is that they’re transparent, but not too transparent. “These lightweight curtain panels look opaque but allow the right amount of light to shine through beautifully,” explains the founder of Dream Green DIY.
