Curtains Buying Guide

A better way to choose

Curtains can completely change the feel of a room. They do more than dress a window. The right curtains can soften a space, add warmth, improve privacy, filter sunlight and help your room feel more finished.

Ready-made curtains are a simple and affordable way to refresh your home without a full renovation. Whether you want blockout curtains for better sleep, voile sheers for soft daylight, triple weave curtains for comfort and drape, or fabric lined curtains for added insulation, choosing the right style starts with your space.

Before buying, think about how much light you want, the level of privacy you need, how warm you want the room to feel, and the look you want to create. From there, measuring correctly and choosing the right fabric will help you find curtains that look beautiful and work well every day.

The Bed Bath & Beyond range at a glance

At Bed Bath & Beyond, you’ll find ready-made curtains designed to suit a wide range of New Zealand homes.

Our range includes practical curtain widths and drops for common window sizes, with options for bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, rentals, guest rooms and quick room refreshes.

Choose from blockout, triple weave, fabric lined and voile sheer curtains depending on the purpose and style of your room.

Whether you need better light control, daytime privacy, warmth, softness or a simple room update, our curtain range makes it easy to find an option that works for your space.

What to consider before buying

Measure first

Always measure before choosing your curtains. Use a metal tape measure for accuracy and double check your measurements before buying.

Measure the full width you want your curtains to cover, not just the glass. For best results, we recommend allowing your track or rod to extend around 20cm beyond each side of the outer edge of the window frame. This gives your curtains more room to sit when open and helps create better coverage when closed.

Choose the right curtain drop

Curtain drop is the length from the top of the track or rod down to where you want the curtain to finish.

As a general guide:

• Measure from the top of the curtain track to the bottom of the window for a 160cm curtain drop.

• Measure from the top of the curtain track to the floor for a 205cm or 220cm curtain drop.

Floor-length curtains often feel more polished, especially in living rooms and main bedrooms. Shorter drops can work well where curtains need to finish at or near the windowsill.

Think about fullness

Curtains need enough fabric to hang with soft folds. If the curtain fabric only just covers the window, it may look flat and may not provide the coverage you need.

As a guide, choose a curtain width that gives you enough fullness when both panels are closed. If your window sits between two sizes, going up a size will usually create a better finish.

Choose the right fabric

The best curtain fabric depends on what you want your curtains to do. Some fabrics are designed to block light, some help with insulation, and others are made to softly filter daylight while keeping the room bright.

How to measure for ready-made curtains

Measuring for curtains is easier than it may seem. The key is to measure your window carefully, record your measurements, then choose the right width, drop and fabric for your room.

For more help, chat to our customer care team online or visit your local Bed Bath & Beyond store for advice.

The ABCs of measuring

A: Measure the width

Measure the width of your existing or new curtain track.

We recommend allowing an extra 20cm on each side of the outer edge of your window frame where possible. This helps your curtains sit neatly beside the window when open and gives better coverage when closed.

B: Measure to the bottom of the window

Measure from the top of the curtain track to the bottom of the window.

This measurement should suit a 160cm curtain drop.

C: Measure to the floor

Measure from the top of the curtain track to the floor.

This measurement should suit either a 205cm or 220cm curtain drop, depending on your window height and the finish you prefer.

Window measurement checklist

Use this as a guide when measuring each room.

Room or location	Window location	Track width	Drop length
1
2
3
4
5

Choosing the right curtain fabric

Blockout curtains

Blockout ready-made curtains are designed to help provide excellent light control and heat retention.

They are made with three layers of coating, including a centre black layer that creates the blockout effect. This makes them a great choice for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms where you want the room to feel darker, warmer and more private.

Best for:

• Bedrooms

• Nurseries

• Media rooms

• Shift workers

• Better light control

• Helping retain warmth

Triple weave curtains

Triple weave ready-made curtains can help improve insulation, reduce noise and reduce light.

This fabric is made from three layers of interwoven yarns, giving it a beautiful natural drape. Triple weave curtains are a practical choice for customers who want comfort, softness and an easy-care curtain option.

Best for:

• Living rooms

• Bedrooms

• Guest rooms

• Reducing light

• Helping with insulation

• A soft, natural drape

Fabric lined curtains

Fabric lined ready-made curtains have a separate layer of fabric on the back of the curtain.

This lining helps create a warm pocket of air between the curtain and the lining, offering excellent insulation properties. The separate lining also helps the curtain drape beautifully and can help protect the main curtain fabric.

Best for:

• Bedrooms

• Lounges

• Colder rooms

• A more finished look

• Better drapability

• Helping protect the face fabric

Voile sheer curtains

Voile sheer curtains are made from an open weave fabric that allows light to pass through while maintaining daytime privacy.

They are perfect for living spaces and bathrooms where you want natural light, softness and a more welcoming feel. Voile sheers help diffuse light coming into your space, creating a soft and relaxed look.

Best for:

• Living rooms

• Dining rooms

• Bathrooms

• Daytime privacy

• Softening natural light

• Layering with blockout curtains

Sheer or blockout curtains?

The best choice depends on what you want your curtains to do.

Choose voile sheers if you want to soften daylight, reduce glare and keep the room feeling bright. They are a great choice for rooms that face the street, neighbours or shared outdoor areas during the day.

Choose blockout curtains if you want more darkness, privacy and warmth. They are ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms and any space where light control matters.

You can also layer both styles together. Sheers can be used during the day for filtered light and softness, while blockout curtains can be drawn at night for privacy, warmth and darkness.

Light control

Curtains are one of the easiest ways to control light in a room.

Voile sheers help diffuse bright sunlight while still allowing natural light through. Blockout curtains are designed to reduce light much more strongly, making them ideal for bedrooms, baby rooms, media rooms or rooms where screen glare is an issue.

Triple weave curtains can also help reduce light while offering a softer drape and more relaxed look than some heavier curtain styles.

Temperature control

Windows can have a big impact on how warm or cool a room feels.

Blockout, triple weave and fabric lined curtains can help create a barrier between the window and the room. In warmer months, this can help reduce heat coming in through the glass. In cooler months, it can help keep warmth inside.

This makes curtains a practical choice for bedrooms, lounges and other spaces where comfort matters throughout the year.

Privacy

Think about how much privacy you need and when you need it most.

Voile sheers can provide a light level of daytime privacy while still letting natural light in. Keep in mind that sheers offer less privacy at night when lights are on inside.

Blockout, triple weave and fabric lined curtains provide a higher level of privacy because the fabric is more opaque. They are a good choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, nurseries and rooms where you want complete coverage.

How to hang your curtains

Once you have measured your windows and selected the right curtain fabric, follow the hanging instructions for your curtain style.

For gathered curtains, tie off the cords at both ends. Draw in the three cords from the side nearest the window frame, spacing out the pleats evenly as you go.

Tie the cords, but do not cut them. Keeping the cords intact means the curtain can be ungathered later for cleaning if needed.

Insert plastic curtain hooks approximately every four pleats. The hook is inserted upside down, then turned over to secure it.

Your curtains may be ironed or steamed with care, but always refer to the care label first. You can also hang them as they are and allow the fabric to settle naturally.

Care and finishing tips

A little regular care will help your curtains hang beautifully and keep your room feeling fresh.

Vacuum curtains gently using an upholstery attachment to help reduce dust build-up, especially along the top edge, hems and folds. For sheer or delicate curtains, use a low suction setting where possible.

Always check the care label before cleaning. Some curtains may be suitable for gentle machine washing, while others may require hand washing, spot cleaning or professional cleaning.

If your curtains are washable, remove any hooks, rings or detachable hardware first. Wash similar colours together, avoid overloading the machine, and use a mild detergent.

After washing, hang curtains promptly if the care instructions allow. This can help reduce creasing and encourage the fabric to fall back into shape.

For marks or spills, blot gently rather than rubbing. Test any cleaning product on a small, hidden area first to make sure it does not affect the colour or fabric finish.

When storing curtains, make sure they are clean and completely dry first. Fold them neatly or roll them where suitable, then store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Find the right curtains for your home

The easiest way to choose the right curtains is to think about what you need them to do every day, then narrow your choice by size, fabric, heading and style.

Whether you want better sleep, more privacy, softer daylight, extra warmth or a simple room refresh, the right curtains can make your space feel more comfortable and complete.

Explore our full curtain range online or visit your local Bed Bath & Beyond store for help choosing the right curtains for your home.