Where to Buy Curtains and Blinds in Singapore: A Practical Guide
Where to buy curtains and blinds in Singapore, from IKEA and Courts to custom curtain shops. Compare ready-made and tailored, prices, fabrics and fitting tips.
For ready-made curtains and blinds at fixed prices, start with IKEA, Courts or Harvey Norman. For curtains tailored to your exact window size, visit the specialist curtain shops clustered around Balestier Road, the fabric houses along Arab Street, or use a made-to-measure service. As a rough guide, expect ready-made panels from around S$20 to S$80 each and custom curtains from roughly S$40 to S$150 per running metre depending on fabric and lining, so always confirm current prices before you commit.
There are really two decisions to make. First, ready-made versus custom, which comes down to your window sizes and budget. Second, curtains versus blinds, which comes down to the look you want and how much light you need to block. This guide walks through both, where to buy in Singapore, and how to fold curtain planning into a renovation so the finish looks built-in rather than added on.
What is the difference between ready-made and custom curtains?
Ready-made curtains come in standard drops and widths, cost less, and you can take them home the same day. Custom curtains are sewn to your window measurements, offer far more fabric choice, and give a cleaner, tailored fall, but they cost more and take one to three weeks.
- Ready-made: from around S$20 to S$80 per panel, best for standard windows, rentals and quick refreshes.
- Custom: from roughly S$40 to S$150 per running metre with fabric and lining, best for full-height windows, odd sizes and a polished look.
- Lead time: ready-made is instant; custom usually needs a home measurement visit plus one to three weeks to sew and install.
Curtains or blinds: which should you choose?
Curtains soften a room, help with sound, and suit bedrooms and living rooms. Blinds have a slimmer profile, give precise light control, and handle humidity and kitchens better. Many Singapore homes mix both, such as sheer day curtains in the living room and roller blinds in the study.
- Curtains: warmer look, better sound softening, easy to layer sheer and blackout on one track.
- Roller blinds: clean and minimal, good value, easy to wipe down.
- Venetian blinds: fine light control through tilting slats, aluminium versions resist moisture.
- Vertical blinds: suit wide living-room windows and sliding doors.
- Zip or outdoor blinds: shade open balconies and service yards from sun and rain.
Where can you buy curtains and blinds in Singapore?
You have three main channels: big-box retailers for convenience, specialist workrooms for custom work, and online for browsing and delivery. Each suits a different budget and level of customisation.
- Big-box retailers: IKEA, Courts and Harvey Norman stock ready-made curtains, blinds and tracks, and IKEA offers a made-to-measure service.
- Specialist curtain shops: workrooms around Balestier Road and fabric houses along Arab Street handle bespoke curtains, blinds and home measurement.
- Online and furnishing stores: brands such as HipVan and Castlery carry soft furnishings and some window treatments with home delivery.
A practical approach is to shop ready-made first for standard windows, then get quotes from two or three specialist shops for any full-height or awkward windows before deciding.
How much do curtains and blinds cost in Singapore?
Prices swing widely with fabric, lining, mechanism and window size, so treat these as starting points and ask each shop for a written quote. Custom quotes are usually priced per running metre or per window, and heavier blackout fabrics cost more than sheers.
- Ready-made curtain panels: from around S$20 to S$80 each.
- Custom curtains: from roughly S$40 to S$150 per running metre with fabric and lining.
- Roller and Venetian blinds: commonly from about S$80 to S$300 per window.
- Motorised curtains and blinds: expect a meaningful premium over manual, plus a power point at the window head.
What curtain fabrics work best in Singapore's climate?
Singapore is hot, humid and bright, so most homes run two layers. A sheer day curtain diffuses strong sunlight while keeping some privacy, and a heavier night or blackout layer darkens bedrooms and blocks heat. Bedrooms facing the afternoon sun benefit most from a dim-out or blackout night curtain.
- Day curtains: light sheers that soften glare and daytime heat while letting the room breathe.
- Night curtains: dim-out or blackout fabrics for privacy, cooler bedrooms and better sleep.
- Wet areas: for kitchens and yards, aluminium or PVC blinds resist moisture and mould better than fabric.
- Care: choose washable or easy-clean fabrics, since humidity and dust build up quickly here.
How does curtain planning fit into your renovation?
The cleanest curtain look is decided during a renovation, not after. Your contractor can build a recessed curtain pocket into the false ceiling so the track is hidden and the fabric appears to fall straight from the ceiling. This is also the moment to fix track position and to run concealed wiring if you want motorised curtains or blinds, because the recess and cabling must be set before carpentry and painting finish.
- Recessed curtain pocket: a slim channel in the false ceiling hides the track for a built-in look instead of a surface-mounted rod.
- Power points: motorised curtains and roller blinds need a concealed 13A socket or dedicated point near the window head.
- Fixing strength: heavy full-height curtains need secure anchoring into the ceiling slab or a proper batten, which is best planned with your contractor early.
Fitting itself happens near the end of the job, once walls are painted and carpentry is done, so raise curtains at the start of your renovation planning and confirm the wiring and recess before works begin.
Frequently asked questions
Are ready-made curtains cheaper than custom curtains? Yes. Ready-made panels from IKEA, Courts or Harvey Norman typically cost from around S$20 to S$80 each, while custom curtains run from roughly S$40 to S$150 per running metre once you add fabric, lining and tailoring. Ready-made suits standard windows and rentals; custom suits odd sizes, full-height windows and a seamless look. Always check current prices, as they shift with fabric and promotions.
Do I need day and night curtains in Singapore? Many homes use both on a double track: a sheer day curtain that softens strong daylight while keeping privacy, and a heavier night or blackout layer for darkness. Bedrooms facing the afternoon sun benefit most from a dim-out or blackout night curtain, while living rooms often use just a sheer or pair a sheer with blinds.
What blinds work best for HDB and condo windows? Roller and Venetian blinds are the most popular for their slim profile and easy cleaning. Vertical blinds suit wide living-room windows and sliding doors, while zip or outdoor blinds shade open balconies and service yards. In humid or wet areas like kitchens, aluminium or PVC blinds resist moisture better than fabric.
Should I install curtains before or after renovation? Plan them during your renovation so your contractor can build a recessed curtain pocket in the false ceiling, position the track, and run a concealed power point for any motorised curtains or blinds. The actual fitting happens near the end once painting and carpentry are done, but the recess and wiring must be decided early.