Bright, double-sided and not terrible

March 15, 2022 9:00 PM

I am having a lot of trouble finding curtains. Help?

We accidentally painted our living room white (don't ask), so we'd like some really colorful full-length curtains (floor to ceiling) for the large windows in the room. They need to be heavy, but don't have to be black-out curtains. They need to be double-sided, but we don't want outdoor curtains (which is all I've found for double-sided). We would love bright and vivid patterns, florals or animals or anything interesting.

We looked at Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Anthropologie, Bed Bath and Beyond, Crate and Barrel, and Wayfair. Nothing hit the right spot (too dull, not double sided, terrible reviews). Can you help us find what we are looking for?

(We are in the US)

posted by Toddles to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

I'm just gonna put this here: curtains are close to the easiest sewing project that exists. If you can't/don't sew at all, many seamstresses or tailors can likely make them for you. Which is to say, try fabric stores, or spoonflower or whatever. You don't need to buy double-sided fabric, you can sew two pieces of fabric back-to-back to make them double sided (you can even use two different fabrics if you're feeling frisky). You can either buy heavier fabrics or put a lining fabric in there also.

You can also try Etsy -- I haven't looked for curtains in particular but when I was looking for a duvet cover I found several people who would custom-make them from any spoonflower fabric, so I'd imagine you can track down a curtain maker as well.
posted by brainmouse at 9:17 PM on March 15, 2022

What are double sided curtains? I think this might be your sticking point - you maybe don’t actually need double sided curtains? Have you considered two layers of curtains instead? Have you considered barkcloth? Have you looked at Society 6?

(Yes you can sew your own curtains but honestly retail fabric is hideously expensive compared to curtains, so anything long or wide will cost a lot.)
posted by vunder at 9:38 PM on March 15, 2022 [1 favorite]

By double-sided, do you mean that you need the curtains to have two layers of fabric so that they look the same on both sides? Because I don't think you're going to find that in ready-made. Lined, yes. But a double layer of fabric is just not a common thing at all and is going to be a custom job. It would be super easy to sew, though.
posted by HotToddy at 10:14 PM on March 15, 2022 [2 favorites]

Could you use two curtains back to back?
You might not even need to attach them to each other— just hang both on the rod, back-to-back?
posted by calgirl at 10:27 PM on March 15, 2022 [5 favorites]

Not sure if the double-sided requirement is more about how you're going to draw back/arrange the curtains in the room, or how they'll appear from the street? Depending on the material, the flip side of some strongly patterned curtains have a lighter design. [Ikat, damask, batik, other patterned linens; Spoonflower options on Etsy]

Four-piece curtain panel set, 96" L [Overstock]
Two-Tone Reversible Curtain Panel Pair, 108" L [Overstock]
Reversible Geometric Printed Blackout Curtains, 95" L [Amazon]
Prelude Reversible Blackout Curtain, 84" L [Paul's Home Fashions]
Damask Jacquard Curtains, 96" or 108" L [Walmart]
Custom reversible curtain [an Etsy example]
Reversible Geometric Room Darkening Curtain, 84" L [Bed, Bath & Beyond]
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:08 AM on March 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

What I would do in your shoes is get a plain set of drapes that fit your windows and block the amount of light that you want, then I'd attach an extra layer of fabric on the inside to make them beautiful. An amazing source of bright bolts of silk? Vintage Saris!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 4:04 AM on March 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

We had to go vintage for the same (ebay -- really thick lovely velvet curtains.) Otherwise, I think you have to make them or have them made at great cost. In my experience, a good, affordable, double-sided curtain does not exist on the market today.
posted by heavenknows at 5:20 AM on March 16, 2022 [2 favorites]