Where to Buy Curtains Online: Amazon vs Wayfair vs IKEA vs Target
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Curtains are one of those purchases where where you buy matters almost as much as what you buy. The same functional category—say, blackout panels for a bedroom—looks completely different depending on which retailer you shop. Prices vary by 50%. Return policies vary from generous to frustrating. Selection ranges from five options to fifty thousand.
Here’s an honest breakdown of the four biggest online retailers for curtains, based on real shopping experience with each.
Amazon
Best for: Price, selection, and fast shipping when you know roughly what you want.
Amazon is where most budget curtain shopping happens, and for good reason. The selection is enormous—thousands of listings from hundreds of brands. Prices are consistently the lowest, especially for the direct-to-consumer brands (NICETOWN, Deconovo, BGment, MIULEE, and others) that sell exclusively or primarily through Amazon.
Prime shipping means two-day delivery on most listings, which matters when you need curtains for a room that’s already done except for the windows.
The catch: Amazon’s review system has quality control issues. Some listings have fake reviews, inflated star ratings, or photos that don’t match what you receive. Strategies to navigate this:
- Filter to “Verified Purchase” reviews only
- Read 3-star reviews—they’re usually the most honest
- Check whether the reviews are actually for the specific color and size you’re ordering (variants sometimes have different quality)
- Look for recent reviews, not just the overall star count
Returns: Amazon’s return policy for curtains is generally straightforward—30 days for most items, and free returns for Prime members on eligible items. Keep all packaging until you’re sure the curtains work.
Who should shop here: Anyone buying budget curtains, anyone who wants fast delivery, anyone comparing prices across many options simultaneously.
Wayfair
Best for: Design variety and visualizing curtains in room contexts.
Wayfair’s interface is built for browsing when you’re not sure what you want. Their room-scene photography shows curtains installed in styled rooms, which is genuinely helpful for visualizing how a fabric, color, or style will look in a space. You can filter by fabric type, heading style, color family, and even room style (farmhouse, modern, coastal, etc.).
Wayfair’s pricing is higher than Amazon for comparable products, but they run frequent sales—20–50% off—especially around major holidays. If you’re not in a rush, signing up for their email list and waiting for a sale event can bring prices close to Amazon levels.
The catch: Wayfair’s free shipping threshold is $35, and return shipping is not always free. If you order curtains that don’t work and need to return them, you may pay a return shipping fee. Read the return policy on the specific listing before purchasing.
Selection trends toward more decorative styles than pure budget options. If you want very cheap curtains, Wayfair isn’t the place. If you want interesting patterns, unique textures, or specific aesthetic styles (like blackout curtains that also look beautiful in a well-designed living room), Wayfair has options Amazon doesn’t.
Who should shop here: Design-focused shoppers who prioritize aesthetics over lowest price, anyone decorating a visible room and wanting more style variety, shoppers willing to wait for sale events.
IKEA
Best for: Minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic at reliable low prices, with in-person viewing.
IKEA occupies a unique position: you can actually see and touch curtains before buying them, which solves the biggest problem with online curtain shopping (the fabric looks different in person than in photos). If you have an IKEA store nearby, this alone makes it worth considering.
IKEA curtains lean heavily toward clean, minimal styles. Their signature look—simple solid colors, natural fabrics, unfussy design—works beautifully in modern and Scandinavian-inspired interiors but may feel too plain for more decorative or traditional spaces. They also offer real cotton and linen options at prices that would be premium anywhere else.
The catch: IKEA’s online shopping experience is more limited than their in-store selection. Some curtain series are only available in stores. The sizing also runs European in some cases—check dimensions carefully, as IKEA curtains are sometimes slightly narrower or shorter than equivalent US-sized options.
IKEA doesn’t have the same fast shipping as Amazon. Orders from IKEA.com typically take longer to arrive and delivery fees can be significant on large items. If you’re near a store, click-and-collect is a better option.
Who should shop here: Anyone near an IKEA store who wants to see curtains in person before buying, fans of minimal Scandinavian design, shoppers who want real cotton or linen at mid-range prices.
Target
Best for: On-trend styles that blend design with affordability, plus easy in-store returns.
Target has improved significantly as a curtain retailer over the past few years. Their in-house brands—Threshold (classic/transitional), Project 62 (modern), and Opalhouse (boho)—offer distinct aesthetics at prices in the $20–$40 per panel range. The styling is consistently on-trend: whatever is popular in home design right now, Target usually has a version of it.
Target’s advantage is in-store pickup and returns. If you’re unsure about a color or texture, you can order online and pick up at a store to examine before committing. Returns are accepted in-store with or without a receipt, which removes the anxiety around ordering the wrong color.
Target Circle rewards (free to join) provides 1–5% back on purchases and occasional bonus discount events. Stacked with Target’s credit card, the savings add up noticeably over time.
The catch: Target’s selection is narrower than Amazon or Wayfair. You won’t find obscure brands or highly specialized products. Blackout options are available but less comprehensive than Amazon’s. Prices are mid-range rather than true budget.
Who should shop here: Style-conscious shoppers who want trend-forward designs, anyone who values easy in-store returns, Target RedCard holders who can stack discounts effectively.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Amazon | Wayfair | IKEA | Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Lowest | Mid-high | Low-mid | Mid |
| Selection | Largest | Large | Smaller | Moderate |
| Aesthetic range | Everything | Design-forward | Minimalist | Trendy |
| Shipping | Fastest (Prime) | 5–10 days | Slower | 2–5 days |
| Returns | Easy | Variable fees | In-store only | Easy |
| Natural fibers | Limited | Good | Good | Limited |
| Budget picks | Best | Limited | Good | Some |
The Bottom Line
Start at Amazon if you have a clear idea of what you need (blackout, sheer, a specific color, a budget), because the selection and price comparison tools are unmatched. Most budget purchases end at Amazon.
Browse Wayfair if you’re in the “I know what I like but can’t picture it” phase—their room imagery helps, and their sale events bring prices down. Don’t pay full price there.
Visit IKEA in person if you’re near a store and want to feel fabrics before committing. Their simple styles and real-fabric options at reasonable prices are genuinely hard to beat in-store.
Check Target if you care about current trends, want stylish options in the $25–$40 range, or want the easiest possible returns. Their in-house brands outperform their price point consistently.
For most people shopping for budget curtains: Amazon for function and price, Target for style when budget allows. Wayfair and IKEA fill specific niches that are worth knowing about but aren’t the starting point for most purchases.