Shopping for curtains online feels tricky because you can’t touch the fabric or see exactly how the color looks in your lighting. But online stores actually offer way more options than local shops, usually at better prices too. When you buy sheer curtains online, you’re choosing from thousands of styles instead of the fifty or so options a physical store carries. Online curtain retailers report 300% more variety in their inventories compared to brick and mortar stores. The average price difference sits around 25-40% cheaper online because internet stores don’t pay for expensive showroom spaces. Returns have gotten much easier too, with most online curtain shops offering 30-60 day return windows. Around 78% of customers report feeling satisfied with their online curtain purchases according to home decor shopping surveys, which matches satisfaction rates for in person buying.
What measurements do you need before ordering online?
Getting the wrong size is the biggest online shopping mistake. You need three measurements for each window. First is width, measured from one side of the window frame to the other. Second is length, from top of the frame to where you want curtains to end. Third is the rod width if you already have one installed.
Most designers recommend curtains 1.5 to 2 times wider than your actual window width for proper fullness when closed. So a 60 inch wide window needs curtains measuring 90-120 inches total. For length, add 4-6 inches above the frame and decide if you want them to just touch the floor, puddle slightly, or hover an inch above for easier cleaning.
How can you judge fabric quality from online photos?
Product descriptions tell you more than photos can. Look for the GSM number, which means grams per square meter. Sheer curtains typically range from 80-150 GSM. Lower numbers mean more transparent, higher numbers provide more privacy and light blocking.
Thread count matters for sheers just like bed sheets. Anything above 200 threads per inch gives you a quality product that will last. Cheaper sheers under 150 thread count look fine initially but develop holes and tears within a year of regular use. Read the fiber content too. 100% polyester resists wrinkles and fading better than cotton blends, though cotton feels more natural.
What details in customer reviews actually matter?
Skip reviews that just say “nice curtains” or “looks great.” You want reviews mentioning specific details. Look for comments about how see through the fabric is, whether colors match the photos, and how the curtains hang. Reviews noting wrinkles usually mean you’ll need to iron or steam them after unboxing.
Pay attention to reviews from customers with similar window sizes to yours. A review saying “perfect for my small bathroom window” doesn’t help if you’re covering a large living room window. Reviews mentioning how long curtains have lasted are gold. If multiple people report the fabric holding up well after six months or a year, that’s a reliable quality indicator.
Why do return policies matter so much for online curtains?
Even with careful measuring and research, curtains might not look right in your actual space. The color could clash with your walls, or the fabric might be more transparent than you expected. Good return policies remove the risk from online shopping.
Check if returns are free or if you pay shipping. Some stores charge restocking fees of 10-20%, which cuts into your savings. The best online curtain retailers offer free returns within 30 days with no restocking charges. Factor this into your decision because a slightly higher price with easy returns beats a cheaper price with complicated return processes that cost you more hassle and money if things don’t work out.