if you have started shopping for custom curtains in Dubai, you have probably noticed one thing immediately: prices can vary enormously.
One supplier may advertise curtains at a low price per metre, while another quotes several hundred or even several thousand dirhams for a complete window. The difference is usually not simply markup. Curtain size, fabric, lining, fullness, heading style, tracks, installation, and motorization can all change the final cost.
As a broad 2026 guide, custom curtains in Dubai may start from around AED 350 per standard window and can reach AED 1,500 or more for larger or higher-specification installations. Premium fabrics, double-layer treatments, floor-to-ceiling windows, and motorized systems can push the price considerably higher.
This guide explains exactly what you are paying for and how to compare curtain quotations properly.
Custom Curtains Dubai Price: Quick 2026 Guide
The following figures are broad estimates rather than fixed quotations.
| Curtain Setup | Estimated Price Range |
|---|---|
| Basic custom curtain | AED 350–650+ per window |
| Mid-range made-to-measure curtain | AED 600–1,200+ |
| Premium curtain setup | AED 1,000–1,500+ |
| Sheer + blackout combination | AED 800–2,000+ |
| Large floor-to-ceiling installation | AED 1,200–2,500+ |
| Motorized curtain setup | AED 1,500–4,000+ |
Actual prices depend heavily on the size of your window and what is included in the quotation.
A small bedroom window with simple polyester curtains will naturally cost far less than a five-metre-wide living-room window with sheers, blackout curtains, wave tracks, and motorized operation.
1. Window Size Is Usually the Biggest Cost Factor
The larger the window, the more fabric you need.
However, curtain calculations are not based only on the visible width of the glass.
Curtains require additional fabric to create fullness and attractive folds. A three-metre window may therefore require significantly more than three metres of curtain fabric.
Floor-to-ceiling windows also increase costs because the fabric drop is longer.
This is particularly relevant in Dubai, where modern apartments and villas often feature:
- Floor-to-ceiling glazing
- Wide balcony doors
- Corner windows
- Double-height spaces
- Large living-room windows
For unusually sized windows, made-to-measure curtains often provide a cleaner result than trying to combine several standard panels.
Our guide to Custom Curtains vs Ready-Made Curtains in Dubai explains the difference in more detail.
2. Fabric Choice Has a Major Impact on Price
Fabric can represent a large part of the total curtain budget.
Practical polyester and blended fabrics generally sit at the more affordable end, while linen, velvet, silk-look fabrics, jacquards, and designer materials usually cost more.
Budget-Friendly Fabrics
Polyester and polyester blends are popular because they offer:
- Good durability
- Easy maintenance
- Plenty of colour options
- Different textures
- More manageable pricing
They can work very well in bedrooms, rental apartments, guest rooms, and modern interiors.
Mid-Range Fabrics
Linen-look fabrics, textured weaves, higher-quality blackout materials, and premium blends usually fall into the middle of the market.
They can provide a more refined appearance without moving into luxury-fabric pricing.
Premium Fabrics
Velvet, specialist jacquard, high-grade linen, silk-look materials, and decorative designer fabrics can increase the cost substantially.
They are commonly selected for villas, formal living rooms, majlis spaces, master bedrooms, and luxury apartments.
3. Blackout Lining Adds to the Cost
Curtain fabric and blackout performance are not always the same thing.
A decorative curtain may require an additional blackout or room-darkening lining if you want stronger light control.
That means you are paying for an extra material layer as well as additional stitching.
Blackout curtains are particularly useful in Dubai bedrooms because early sunlight can enter strongly through exposed windows.
They can also be useful in living rooms with television glare or intense afternoon sun.
If you are not sure whether every room needs blackout fabric, read the Blackout Curtains in Dubai Room-by-Room Guide.
Using blackout only where you genuinely need it can help control your overall curtain budget.
4. Sheer and Blackout Layering Costs More
One of the most popular curtain setups in Dubai is a double-layer system consisting of:
- Sheer curtains closest to the window
- Blackout or decorative curtains on the outer track
This arrangement gives you filtered daylight during the day and stronger privacy at night.
It looks excellent, especially on floor-to-ceiling windows, but it costs more because you need two sets of fabric and usually a double curtain track.
For a large living-room window, the difference can be significant.
However, many homeowners consider the flexibility worth the additional investment.
You can explore Sheer Curtains in Dubai if you are considering a layered setup.
5. Heading Style Changes the Price
The way your curtains are pleated and attached to the track also affects the amount of fabric and tailoring required.
Common heading options include:
Eyelet Curtains
Eyelet curtains use rings built directly into the fabric and slide along a rod.
They are relatively straightforward and work well in bedrooms and casual living spaces.
Wave Curtains
Wave curtains create evenly spaced folds across a specialist track.
They are particularly popular in modern Dubai apartments with wide, floor-to-ceiling windows.
Pinch Pleat Curtains
Pinch pleats require more structured tailoring and create a formal, premium appearance.
Depending on the fabric and fullness, wave and pinch-pleat curtains may cost more than simpler heading styles because they require more material, preparation, or specialist hardware.
6. Curtain Tracks and Rods Are Part of the Budget
Do not compare quotes based on curtain fabric alone.
Your completed installation may also require:
- Curtain tracks
- Double tracks
- Curtain rods
- Brackets
- Rings
- Hooks
- Finials
- Ceiling fixings
- Wall fixings
A standard manual aluminium track is generally more affordable than premium decorative rods or specialist track systems.
Large windows may also require stronger hardware and additional support.
Ask whether the quoted price includes hardware before comparing one curtain company with another.
7. Professional Installation Can Affect the Final Price
Some quotations include measurement and fitting, while others list them separately.
Professional installation becomes especially important when dealing with:
- Floor-to-ceiling curtains
- Wide tracks
- Heavy blackout curtains
- Double-layer systems
- High ceilings
- Concrete ceilings
- Large villas
A curtain can be made perfectly but still look poor if the track is positioned incorrectly.
Proper installation helps achieve consistent curtain drops, cleaner folds, smooth movement, and better window coverage.
8. How Much Do Motorized Curtains Cost?
Motorization sits toward the premium end of curtain pricing.
Instead of manually opening the curtains, a motor moves them along a compatible track.
Motorized systems are particularly useful for:
- Large living-room windows
- High windows
- Smart homes
- Bedrooms
- Villas
- Luxury apartments
- Hard-to-reach glazing
A motorized curtain installation may start around AED 1,500 and can rise to AED 4,000 or considerably more, depending on track length, motor quality, controls, wiring, fabric weight, and smart-home integration.
If you have several motorized windows, the total project budget can therefore increase quickly.
Motorization makes the most sense where convenience or window size justifies the additional investment.
9. How Much Should You Budget for a Dubai Apartment?
Apartment curtain costs vary too much for one fixed figure, but room-by-room planning can make budgeting easier.
A typical apartment might require:
Bedroom:
A straightforward blackout curtain or sheer-and-blackout combination.
Living room:
Usually the largest expense because balcony glazing can be several metres wide.
Guest bedroom:
A simpler mid-range curtain can control costs.
Instead of choosing premium materials for every room, many homeowners invest more in the living room and master bedroom while using practical fabrics elsewhere.
This creates a balanced result without unnecessarily increasing the total budget.
10. How Can You Reduce Custom Curtain Costs?
Custom curtains do not have to mean the most expensive option available.
You can manage costs by:
- Choosing quality polyester instead of luxury fabric
- Using blackout only where required
- Choosing manual rather than motorized tracks
- Keeping heading styles relatively simple
- Using premium fabric only in feature rooms
- Avoiding unnecessary decorative accessories
- Measuring all rooms together
- Asking for an itemized quotation
Do not reduce the budget by ordering curtains that are too narrow or too short.
Poor sizing is much more noticeable than choosing a slightly less expensive fabric.
How to Compare Curtain Quotes Properly
Two companies can quote very different prices while actually offering different products.
Before deciding, check whether each quotation includes:
- Fabric
- Required fullness
- Stitching
- Blackout lining
- Sheer layer
- Tracks or rods
- Accessories
- Measurement
- Installation
- Motorization
- Delivery
Also ask how the price is calculated.
Some suppliers quote fabric by metre, others by square metre, finished curtain width, or complete window.
The most useful figure is usually the complete installed price for your actual window.
Are Custom Curtains Worth the Extra Cost?
For standard windows and temporary accommodation, ready-made curtains can still be perfectly practical.
Custom curtains become more valuable when you have floor-to-ceiling glazing, unusually wide windows, specific blackout requirements, layered curtains, premium interiors, or a particular heading style.
They allow the curtains to be designed around the actual dimensions of the room rather than forcing the room to accommodate a standard curtain.
That difference is especially noticeable across large windows.
Final Thoughts
So, how much do custom curtains cost in Dubai in 2026?
For a straightforward standard window, you might start around AED 350–650, while more complete mid-range installations can reach AED 600–1,200 or more. Premium, double-layer, oversized, and motorized installations can easily move beyond AED 1,500 per window.
Treat these figures as budgeting guides rather than fixed prices.
Window measurements, fabric, fullness, lining, heading style, tracks, installation, and automation all influence the final quotation.
Dubai Best Curtains provides custom curtains and blinds in Dubai with measurement, fabric selection, different heading styles, manual and motorized options, and professional installation for apartments, villas, bedrooms, living rooms, offices, and large windows.
The best way to establish an accurate price is to measure the actual windows and request a quotation based on the complete installation rather than comparing fabric prices alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do custom curtains cost in Dubai in 2026?
Custom curtains may start from approximately AED 350 per standard window and can rise beyond AED 1,500 depending on size, fabric, lining, tracks, and installation.
Why are custom curtains more expensive than ready-made curtains?
They include made-to-measure sizing, additional fabric fullness, tailoring, customization, and often professional measurement and fitting.
How much do blackout curtains cost in Dubai?
The price depends on window size and whether blackout performance comes from the main fabric or an additional lining. Custom blackout curtains generally cost more than simple unlined curtains.
Are sheer curtains cheaper than blackout curtains?
Often, but not always. Fabric quality, fullness, window size, track type, and installation all affect the final price.
Do curtain prices include installation?
It depends on the supplier. Always ask whether measurement, tracks, accessories, delivery, and installation are included.
Are wave curtains more expensive?
They can be because wave curtains use a compatible track and require sufficient fullness to maintain consistent folds.
How much do motorized curtains cost?
A motorized setup may start around AED 1,500 per window and can reach several thousand dirhams depending on the system, dimensions, and smart controls.
What is the cheapest custom curtain fabric?
Polyester and polyester blends are generally among the most budget-friendly practical choices.
Are custom curtains worth buying for rental apartments?
They can be when the windows are unusually sized or you expect to remain in the property for a reasonable period. Ready-made curtains may be more economical for short-term accommodation with standard windows.
How can I get an accurate curtain price?
Arrange an exact measurement and request an itemized quote covering fabric, stitching, lining, tracks or rods, accessories, installation, and any motorization required.