How Much Do Custom Curtains Cost? 2026 Prices by Window Size
Cost guides put custom curtains anywhere from $300 to $4,000 a window, which tells you almost nothing — the price is set largely by a number they rarely mention: how wide your window is.
The short answer
For a typical window, custom curtains cost about $400–$1,800 in 2026 with fabric, lining, sewing, a rod and installation included: roughly $400–$820 for a 36-inch window and $860–$1,770 for a 100-inch window with a 10-foot drop (worked estimates below). A national retailer lists higher: list prices quoted on The Shade Store's site in September 2026 ran $385–$860 for a drape up to 44 × 84 inches and $1,440–$3,255 at 88–132 × 120 inches, before hardware and installation. The biggest price drivers are width (each added width of fabric adds fabric and sewing), fabric price per yard and lining; length matters much less.
Good fit if the window is wider or taller than stock panels (IKEA's lengths stop at 118 inches), needs lined panels, or is a bay. Skip / reconsider if a standard 84- or 98-inch length fits and you don't need lining — IKEA's 84-inch MAJGULL room-darkening pair was $44.99.
In this guide
- Cost ranges
- Cost by window size
- Why width bands matter
- What drives the price
- Ready-made baseline
- When custom is worth it
- Spending less
- How online pricing works
- The honest part
- Glossary
- FAQ
How much do custom curtains cost?
Published cost guides range from $300 to $4,000 per window, but each measures something different, so read the unit before the number.
| Cost guide (last dated) | What the figure covers | Range |
|---|---|---|
| HomeGuide (March 2025) | Per window, including fabric, rod, hardware and professional installation | $300–$4,000 |
| Angi (April 2026) | Drapes and curtains, average | $300–$1,500 |
| HomeAdvisor (June 2026) | “Valances, drapes, and curtains,” including installation | $1,800–$3,000 |
| Fixr (January 2025) | Materials only, 42 in. window, moderate fabric | $60–$400 a window (ready-made $20–$250) |
| CostHelper (undated) | Per panel | $250–$1,500 |
| Forbes, quoting Everhem's CEO (2021) | Rule of thumb per drapery window | About $1,500 |
Treat these as rough bands, not quotes: they contradict each other (Angi's average tops out at $1,500; HomeAdvisor's range starts at $1,800), both of those pages disclose using “automation technology,” and HomeGuide and Fixr were last dated in early 2025.
What do custom curtains cost by window size?
Built from published workroom rates, a lined, pleated pair runs about $400–$820 for a small window and up to about $1,800 for a floor-to-ceiling window or a bay — rod and installation included, tax and shipping not.
| Window | Rod × drop | Fabric widths; yards (face + lining) | Fabric, lining and sewing at $20 / $28 / $50 a yard | Rod; installation | Estimated total | The Shade Store list (AA–C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small: 36 in. wide, floor-length | 52 × 84 in. | 3; 8.5 + 8 | $353 / $421 / $608 | $26–$108; $20–$100 | ≈$400–$820 | $685–$1,535 at 52 in. ($385–$860 at 44 in.) |
| Living room: 72 in. wide | 88 × 96 in. | 4; 12.5 + 12 | $518 / $618 / $893 | $44–$183; $20–$100 | ≈$580–$1,180 | $1,330–$2,995 at 88 in. ($710–$1,580 at 86 in.) |
| Floor-to-ceiling: 100 in. wide, 10-ft ceiling | 116 × 120 in. | 5; 19 + 18 | $758 / $910 / $1,328 | $58–$242; $40–$200 | ≈$860–$1,770 | $1,440–$3,255 |
| Bay: 30 + 60 + 30 in., six panels | 136 in. total × 84 in. | 6; 17 + 15.5 | $703 / $839 / $1,213 | $68–$283 plus bay connectors; $60–$300 | ≈$830–$1,800 | $1,455–$3,255 as three drapes |
The math, for the living-room window. The rod extends 8 inches past each side (Fixr suggests 4–8), so it's 88 inches. At the standard 2× fullness that's 176 inches of fabric plus 12 for side hems — 188 inches, or 3.5 widths of 54-inch drapery fabric (EZ Pleating), rounded up to 4. Each cut is the 96-inch drop plus 16 inches for hem and header, so 4 × 112 ÷ 36 ≈ 12.5 yards of face fabric, plus 12 of lining. At $28 a yard: $350 fabric + $72 lining at $6 a yard + $196 sewing (4 widths at EZ Pleating's illustrative $45 lined rate, plus $4 a width for drops over 90 inches) = $618 before the rod and installation.
Assumptions. Hem allowances (6 inches per panel, 16 per cut) are ours. EZ Pleating's rates, which add $5 a width above four widths, are a workroom-software vendor's example, not a real quote. Steel rods run $6–$25 a foot (Fixr); installation is $20–$100 a window (Angi), doubled for the 120-inch drop. The $20, $28 and $50 fabric tiers come from Tonic Living linen at $20.95 a yard (2019, via Emily Henderson), EZ Pleating's example and a San Antonio workroom's “standard fabric” (Blinded by Delight, 2014). Shade Store figures are list prices quoted on its site in September 2026, before promotions, hardware and installation.
Big windows cost more twice over: the 100-inch window takes 19 yards of face fabric to the 72-inch window's 12.5, and installation on tall windows can double (Fixr) — see our floor-to-ceiling curtains guide. For bays, add connectors or a bay rod and see the bay and corner window guide; Fixr puts custom bay curtains at $150–$1,500 a window, materials only.
Why can 2 inches of width nearly double the price?
Because made-to-measure drapery is often priced in width bands, not by the inch. In list prices quoted on The Shade Store's site in September 2026, widening an 84-inch-long drape from 44 to 46 inches raised the entry price from $385 to $685 (+78%), and going from 86 to 88 inches wide at 96 inches long took it from $710 to $1,330 (+87%). Lengthening that 44-inch drape from 84 to 120 inches added just $45.
| Width × length (in.) | AA (entry group) | A | B | C (top group) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–44 × 84 | $385 | $545 | $705 | $860 |
| 36–44 × 120 | $430 | $615 | $765 | $950 |
| 46–84 × 84 | $685 | $975 | $1,235 | $1,535 |
| 72–86 × 96 | $710 | $1,005 | $1,275 | $1,580 |
| 88–96 × 96 | $1,330 | $1,895 | $2,400 | $2,995 |
| 88–132 × 120 | $1,440 | $2,050 | $2,610 | $3,255 |
| 200 × 120 | $2,235 | $3,185 | $4,085 | $5,075 |
Across a row, the top material group lists at about 2.2 times the entry group; down the table, width dominates and length barely registers. The Shade Store doesn't explain its steps. Drapery is sewn from whole widths of fabric and workrooms bill sewing per width (EZ Pleating), so stepped pricing is a natural result — our reading, not its stated policy. Ask any made-to-measure seller where its width breaks fall, and if you're just over one, check whether a slightly shorter rod still clears the glass.
What drives the price of custom curtains?
Six things set the price, and the first two do most of the work: how many widths of fabric the window takes, and what the fabric costs per yard — going from $20 to $50 a yard adds $375 to the 72-inch example.
| Driver | What the numbers look like | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Width and fullness | 2× fullness is standard; drapery fabric is typically 54 in. wide; sewing is billed per width, not per yard (EZ Pleating) | Big |
| Fabric | Materials only, 36–64 in. window: polyester $30–$225, cotton $60–$450, linen $75–$900, velvet $150–$2,250, silk $300–$4,500 (Fixr) | Big |
| Lining | Liners add $40–$200 a window (Angi); illustrative sewing per width: $32 unlined, $45 lined, $62 interlined (EZ Pleating) | Medium |
| Installation | $20–$100 a window (Angi); $45–$250 a window (HomeGuide) | Medium; up to double on tall windows (Fixr) |
| Hardware | Rods $5–$375; steel $6–$25 a foot; rings $0.50–$10 each (Fixr) | Small to medium |
| Heading style | Materials, 42 in. window: pinch pleat $30–$150, grommet $60–$200, wave $60–$300 (Fixr) | Small |
Fiber sets the tier. Four fabrics in our range show the spread of fiber and weight you'll choose from: Liana sheer (100% polyester, 100 GSM), Isadora linen-look blackout (100% polyester, 240 GSM, 100% blackout), Celina linen-blend (30% linen, 70% polyester, 350 GSM) and Liora velvet (100% polyester velvet, 400 GSM); our linen vs faux linen guide covers what separates linen-look from real linen.
Decide lining and fullness before you ask for a quote — see the curtain lining guide and 1.5× vs 2× fullness. Our pinch-pleat guide compares tape and workroom headings; ripple fold runs on its own track system, so it gets its own breakdown in ripple fold curtains: what they cost. For hardware, see curtain rods vs tracks. Motorization is a separate budget — Angi puts it at $150–$1,200 a window as an add-on — covered in our motorized Roman shades cost guide.
How much cheaper are ready-made curtains?
Much cheaper when a stock size fits: IKEA's MAJGULL room-darkening pair in the 84-inch length was $44.99 in September 2026. The stock route for our four windows:
| Window | Stock route (IKEA US, September 2026) | Custom estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 36 in. wide, 84 in. drop | One MAJGULL pair: $44.99 | ≈$400–$820 |
| 72 in. wide, 96 in. drop | Two VILBORG 98 in. pairs: $139.98, plus hemming four panels at $15–$35 each (Fixr) | ≈$580–$1,180 |
| 100 in. wide, 120 in. drop | Two SANELA 118 in. pairs: $199.98, still 2 in. short | ≈$860–$1,770 |
| Three-window bay, 84 in. drop | Three MAJGULL pairs: $134.97 | ≈$830–$1,800 |
For what that gap buys once they hang side by side, see custom vs IKEA.
When are custom curtains worth it — and when aren't they?
Custom earns its price when the window is the problem — too wide, too tall or oddly shaped — and wastes it when a standard pair fits.
- Worth it: drops longer than stock (IKEA stops at 118 inches); wide windows, since ready-made panels generally run 30–84 inches wide (HomeGuide), which means several pairs, often plus hemming at $15–$35 a panel (Fixr); lined or interlined panels, since an add-on liner costs $40–$200 a window anyway (Angi); and bays.
- Not worth it: a standard window that fits an 84- or 98-inch stock length without lining. Even Angi's cost tips recommend standard sizes over custom.
Price is only part of the call; our honest guide to custom vs ready-made curtains covers the rest.
How can you spend less without it looking cheap?
Skimpy fullness and short hems make curtains look cheap, so cut elsewhere first:
- Size to the band. Ask where a seller's width breaks fall before fixing the rod length; at The Shade Store, a 46-inch-wide drape listed $300 above a 44-inch one.
- Pick the fabric tier on purpose. Fixr puts polyester materials at $30–$225 a window against $75–$900 for linen.
- Line only where it pays, and stay at 2× fullness. EZ Pleating's illustrative sewing runs $32 a width unlined against $62 interlined, and each step past 2× adds whole widths.
- Install it yourself. HomeAdvisor estimates DIY installation saves $140–$400 per project; Angi suggests reusing hardware and bundling windows.
- Time the order. Made-to-measure sellers run seasonal promotions, and Fixr notes multi-buy discounts of 10%–30% — but check how installation is charged.
How does online made-to-measure pricing work?
The price comes from the size you enter: width and length set the base, and options such as lining add to it. That's why “from” prices can't be compared: Loom Decor's rayon/linen pinch-pleat drape showed $532 before any size was entered, with no size basis given.
Our product pages work the same way: enter width and length, choose your options, and the page shows a live price for that size — we don't print prices here because promotions move them.
- Many of our curtain lines go up to 360 inches wide and 240 inches long, and on those, drops over 102 inches are made by turning the fabric 90 degrees so there is no horizontal seam; some patterned and chenille lines instead add a horizontal seam above 92 inches, and each product page's Max Length note says which applies.
- The size you enter is what gets made, so read how to measure for curtains first.
- Free swatches let you check color, texture and light blocking before you pay for yardage.
The honest part: costs a quote leaves out
The usual gaps between a quote and the total:
- Installation on list price. The Shade Store charges installation at 15% of the full list price, before discounts, with a $250 minimum trip fee, so a sale price understates the total. A 52 × 84-inch drape in its entry group comes to about $1,165 before tax: $685 list, hardware from $230 and the $250 minimum.
- Hardware. Often extra: Loom Decor prices it separately.
- No change-of-mind returns. Loom Decor charges from $99 plus shipping to rework a measuring error, offers 50% off a remake within 30 days, and won't refund a fabric you dislike if you skipped the swatch. Read any seller's terms — ours included — before ordering.
- Seams and stretch. Half Price Drapes seams flat panels over 50 inches wide and pleated panels over 25, and warns that natural fibers “may stretch over time.”
- Lead time. Loom Decor quotes 10–28 business days, or 28–40 for large orders.
- Small extras. Removing old treatments runs $20–$50 a window, wall patching $50–$200 and professional cleaning $30–$100 a window a year (Angi).
- Soft numbers. Our estimates exclude tax, shipping and fees and use hem allowances we chose; cost guides often lean on designer figures from 2014 to 2022.
Glossary
Width — one full width of fabric, typically 54 inches, seamed to others to make a panel; sewing is priced per width.
Fullness — the flat fabric's width relative to the rod; 2× is standard.
Interlining — a soft layer between face fabric and lining for body; the costliest common construction to sew.
Width band — a range of widths that share one price.
Material group — a retailer's fabric price tier; The Shade Store's run AA to C.
FAQ
How much do custom curtains usually cost?
Cost guides range from $300 to $4,000 per window installed (HomeGuide), with Angi's average at $300–$1,500. Worked from published workroom rates, a lined, pleated pair runs about $400–$1,800 per window installed, before tax, depending mostly on width and fabric.
How much do drapes cost?
For window drapes (not event pipe-and-drape), Angi's average is $300–$1,500, with custom drapes or automated shades topping $5,000. The Shade Store's September 2026 list prices ran from $385 (up to 44 × 84 inches, entry group) to $5,075 (200 × 120 inches, top group), before installation.
Why are custom curtains so expensive?
Drapery uses far more fabric than a shade and is priced as materials plus labor, as Everhem's CEO told Forbes. At the standard 2× fullness, a 72-inch window with a 96-inch drop takes about 12.5 yards of face fabric plus lining, and sewing is billed per width.
Are custom curtains worth it?
Usually for odd sizes, drops longer than stock (IKEA stops at 118 inches), wide windows, bays and lined panels. For a standard window that fits an 84- or 98-inch stock length, a ready-made pair such as IKEA's $44.99 MAJGULL costs far less.
Is it cheaper to make your own curtains?
You skip the sewing labor, $32–$62 per width in EZ Pleating's illustrative rates, but still buy roughly 8.5 to 19 yards of face fabric per window at 2× fullness: about $170–$950 at $20–$50 a yard, before lining and a rod.
How much does it cost to install curtains?
Angi puts installation at $20–$100 per window and HomeGuide at $45–$250 (30 minutes to 2 hours each). Tall windows can cost up to twice as much (Fixr), and The Shade Store charges 15% of list, $250 minimum.
Ready to price your own window? Measure it, choose a fabric from our custom curtains collection and enter your size on the product page for a live quote — then order free swatches so the fabric you pay for is the one you meant.