The IKEA Curtains The Internet Is Obsessed With (And Are They Worth It?)

When shopping for affordable furniture and home decor, IKEA is one of the best places to go. They are a great store for finding basic high-quality items. From the IKEA furniture pieces your living room needs to a variety of curtains that will complement that furniture, IKEA has it all. 

Specifically, the internet is obsessed with the IKEA RITVA curtains. These curtains, which are incredibly popular and highly recommended by many online influencers, are light-filtering curtains made of 100% cotton, and they come in pairs of panels. They are available in gray or white. According to IKEA, they have a 4% shrinkage rate, and they can be tumble-dried. There are four size options: 57 by 65 inches, 57 by 84 inches, 57 by 98 inches, and 57 by 118 inches. The smallest size costs $24.99, the next size up costs $34.99, the second largest costs $39.99, and the largest size costs $59.99. The curtains come with tiebacks, but they do not come with hooks to pleat and hang the curtains. Although they are made of cotton, the curtains look, feel, and drape in a way resembling linen, which makes them a popular choice for an upscale look. Plus, they have a very high 4.6-star rating on IKEA's website. 

All of these features sound great, but are they worth buying? Some customers have concerns and complaints about the curtains that you may want to consider.

First of all, while the curtains have enticing, affordable prices, the quality may be more reflective of the price than you'd hoped. For example, the color may be more ivory or off-white colored than you anticipated. Additionally, the curtains are semi-sheer and lightweight. While this may be what you are looking for, and they do a good job of filtering some light, they may not provide as much privacy as you may want. Of course, you can solve these problems by visiting the store before buying or returning the curtains within 180 days if you open them up and decide they are not what you want. Unfortunately, there are some quality issues that you may not discover until later. For example, there are reports of the RITVA curtains getting slightly damaged in the washing machine over time and slowly falling apart. 

However, with the price starting as low as $12.50 per curtain panel, if you like the curtains, they certainly seem worth purchasing. If you are on a major budget, they are definitely a great option. Another bonus of these curtains is that their composition of 100% cotton makes them one of the most sustainable fabric options for curtains. So, even if your curtains take some damage from washing them over the years, they are biodegradable and more eco-friendly to dispose of than a cheap set of polyester curtains.

If you decide the IKEA curtains are worth it for you, the next step is to determine how they will fit into your home and style. First, you will need to choose a curtain length. Measure your window and figure out where you want your curtains to end. They can brush the floor or pool on it or even end just under the windowsill, depending on the look you want to achieve. After deciding on the length and color you want, you will need to choose hardware. The RIVKA curtains are designed for a pleated look, and they can be hung directly on a curtain rod or hung from rings on the bar. After you choose the best curtain rod, you can find a matching ring color. IKEA sells SYRLIG curtain rings at $9 for a 10-count pack of rings with clips and hooks, and the rings come in four finishes.

The linen look of the RIVTA curtains and their surprising quality for the price make them a great option for those wanting fresh, new curtains on a budget. Their sheer, minimalist style works with a variety of aesthetics and should stay in style for a long time, and the biodegradable fabric means that they are one of the more eco-friendly curtain options out there as well. If you are interested in these trendy yet classic-looking curtains, they certainly seem worth a try.