- As of June 2026, ready-made curtains in Dubai can start around AED 50-350 per panel, pair or set depending on the retailer before hardware and installation, while a realistic custom sheer + blackout setup often lands around AED 350-1,200 per standard window opening.
- For a 1-2 bedroom apartment, plan roughly AED 1,500-5,500 for practical curtains and tracks, or AED 3,500-9,000+ if you want better fabrics, multiple layers, wider balcony doors, measured installation and cleaner finishing.
- Old curtains usually do not transfer cleanly when you move because window width, ceiling height, track type, pleat style, hook system and fabric drop rarely match the new home.
- Dragon Mart and similar curtain shops can be good value, but take exact measurements, confirm fabric, lining, track, stitching, delivery, alteration and installation in writing before paying a deposit.
Curtains in Dubai are one of those move-in costs people underestimate. The old curtains from your previous apartment may look fine, but they often fail in the new place because the windows are wider, the ceiling is higher, the track is different, or the balcony door needs a completely different drop.
This guide is for Dubai residents choosing between ready-made curtains, Dragon Mart-style fabric shops, local custom curtain suppliers, at-home measurement, blinds, tracks and alterations. If you are moving soon, pair it with the movers and packers UAE guide and the single item movers Dubai guide for furniture and appliance planning.
Curtains Dubai Cost: 2026 Buying Ranges
Curtain prices are confusing because shops quote different units. One quote may be for a single ready-made panel, another for a pair, another per metre of fabric, and another for the full opening including track, stitching, lining, delivery and installation. Always compare the same unit: per panel, per window opening, or whole apartment.
| Buying option | Realistic Dubai benchmark | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-made panels | AED 50-350 per panel, pair or set depending on retailer before hardware, hemming and installation | Standard windows, renters, quick move-in, low budget, DIY or simple handyman fitting |
| Dragon Mart / local fabric shop custom | AED 350-1,200 per standard window opening for practical sheer or blackout combinations | Better fit than ready-made, many fabrics, negotiable options, measured stitching |
| Mobile custom curtain supplier | AED 600-1,800+ per opening depending on fabric, layers, track and installation | Busy households, new apartments, balcony doors, cleaner finish, reduced measurement mistakes |
| Whole 1-2BR apartment | AED 1,500-5,500 practical; AED 3,500-9,000+ for fuller custom setup | Bedrooms, living room balcony door, sheers, blackout, tracks and fitting as one job |
| Premium / motorized curtains or blinds | AED 1,500-5,000+ per wide opening depending on motor, fabric, wiring and controls | Large windows, smart-home homes, villas, penthouses, high ceilings and luxury fabrics |
Retail and custom-market checks were updated in June 2026. Ready-made prices can look low because they usually exclude measurement, track changes, drilling, steaming, delivery, hemming and old-curtain removal. The 1-2BR planning range assumes bedrooms plus a living-room balcony door; wider glass walls, double layers and premium fabrics can push the total higher.
Why Old Curtains Usually Do Not Work After Moving
Reusing curtains is possible, but it is less common than people expect. Dubai apartments often have floor-to-ceiling balcony doors, recessed ceiling tracks, curved bay windows, double-track sheers, or different wall-to-wall widths. Even a 10-15 cm mismatch can make curtains look short, skim the floor badly, fail to close properly, or bunch at one side.
| Reuse issue | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong drop length | New home has different ceiling height, track position or floor finish | Shortening is easier than lengthening; check hem allowance before moving |
| Wrong width / fullness | Curtains need extra fabric width to pleat properly, not only window width | If fabric width is too low, reuse may look flat even if it covers the glass |
| Different track or hook system | Eyelet, pencil pleat, wave, pinch pleat and track gliders do not always convert cleanly | Ask an alteration shop whether new tape, hooks or gliders can be stitched |
| Fabric condition | Sun fading, dust, shrinkage, pet marks or old folds show more in a new bright apartment | Clean first only if the fabric quality justifies alteration cost |
Practical rule: reuse makes sense when the new window is narrower or shorter, the fabric is still good, and the track style can be adapted. If the new home has wider balcony doors or a different ceiling track, new curtains often cost less than forcing old ones to fit badly.
Dragon Mart, Ready-Made or Custom: Which Option Fits?
Dragon Mart and similar local curtain shops can be useful when you want many fabric options and negotiable custom stitching. The trade-off is that you need to be disciplined: take measurements, compare fabric codes, ask exactly what is included, and avoid choosing only by the first low price.
| Option | Pros | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA / Home Centre / JYSK ready-made | Transparent retail pricing, fast purchase, easy for standard windows | May need hemming, separate hardware, handyman installation and limited exact sizing |
| Dragon Mart / local curtain shop | Many fabrics, custom sizing, negotiable package, good for full apartments | Quality varies; confirm fabric, lining, fullness, track, stitching, delivery and installer warranty |
| Mobile measurement supplier | They measure at home, recommend track/layering, reduce mistakes | Higher price; compare fabric quality and whether steaming/snags are included |
| Premium curtain and blinds brand | Better finishing, motorized options, warranty, showroom support | Higher starting price; delivery lead time can be longer |
What to Measure Before Asking for Quotes
Curtain quotes improve dramatically when you share the right details. Do not only send a photo of the window. Send the window wall width, ceiling height, existing track type, whether you need sheer and blackout layers, and whether drilling is allowed. For rental apartments, ask the landlord or building rules before adding new holes or motorized wiring.
- Measure wall-to-wall width, not only glass width, if you want full coverage.
- Measure from track or rod position to floor, then decide floor-touching, floating or puddle finish.
- Take photos of existing tracks, gliders, brackets and ceiling recesses.
- Confirm if you need one layer, sheer + blackout, roller blinds, zebra blinds or Roman blinds.
- Ask whether the quote includes removal of old curtains, new track, drilling, delivery, steaming and snag fixes.
- For balcony doors, mention sliding-door width and whether curtains must stack left, right or both sides.
How Bestimate Helps Compare Curtains and Blinds Quotes
Bestimate connects curtain and blinds requests under Curtains & Blinds. Share room count, photos, measurements, preferred fabric, whether you need sheer/blackout layers, and whether you already have tracks. Then compare available Pros by price, scope, timing and installation terms. If you are renovating before curtains, see the apartment renovation Dubai guide for fit-out and move-in planning.
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Curtain and blinds price information was checked in June 2026 against Dubai retail options, custom-market references and Bestimate service mapping. Ranges are planning benchmarks, not guaranteed quotes.
Local Dubai context: In Dubai rentals, get your landlord's written permission (per your Ejari tenancy contract) before drilling new holes or adding motorized curtain wiring, and homes in gated communities such as Emaar's Arabian Ranches or Nakheel developments may need an owners-association NOC for any fixed installation or electrical work.
Frequently asked questions
How much do curtains cost in Dubai?
As of June 2026, ready-made curtain panels can start around AED 50-350 before hardware and installation. Practical custom sheer + blackout curtains often cost around AED 350-1,200 per standard window opening, while a full 1-2 bedroom apartment can range from about AED 1,500-9,000+ depending on fabric, tracks, layers and installation.
Can I reuse old curtains when moving in Dubai?
Sometimes, but it is often difficult. Reuse works best if the new window is narrower or shorter, the fabric is still in good condition, and the track/hook system can be adapted. Wider balcony doors, higher ceilings and different tracks usually mean new curtains or major alteration.
Is Dragon Mart good for curtains in Dubai?
Dragon Mart can be a good value option if you compare several shops and write down exactly what is included. Confirm fabric, lining, fullness, track type, stitching, delivery, installation and warranty. Do not compare a fabric-only price with a full measured-and-installed quote.
Are ready-made curtains cheaper than custom curtains?
Usually yes at the purchase stage, but not always after hemming, rods, tracks, brackets, drilling and installation. Ready-made works well for standard windows. Custom is usually better for wide balcony doors, high ceilings, layered sheers/blackout and a cleaner fitted look.
Should I choose curtains, roller blinds or zebra blinds?
Choose curtains for bedrooms and living rooms where softness, heat control and a finished look matter. Roller or zebra blinds can work for kitchens, studies, small windows and rentals where compact installation is easier. Many Dubai homes use sheers plus blackout curtains in bedrooms and roller blinds in service areas.
