IKEA vs Home Centre vs Custom Blackout Curtains Dubai (2026): Which Is Actually Cheapest?
Ready-made blackout curtains from IKEA, Home Centre, Lulu, and Amazon.ae usually cost less upfront, but they come in fixed sizes and rarely fit UAE windows or high ceilings without alterations. Custom blackout curtains in Dubai cost more per panel, but free measuring and fitting remove the gaps, sagging, and light leaks that ready-made curtains often cause.
In short: retail curtains are cheaper on the price tag, but custom blackout curtains in Dubai usually work out better value once you factor in fit, delivery, and installation.
We have fitted blackout curtains in hundreds of Dubai apartments, and the same question comes up every week: is it worth paying more for custom, or should you just grab a pack from IKEA? This guide compares your options honestly, using real fit and service differences rather than guesswork.
For a full breakdown of blackout fabric types, weights, and room-by-room pricing, see our Blackout Curtains in Dubai: The Complete Buying Guide. This post focuses only on how retail options stack up against custom blackout curtains that Dubai shoppers can order with a free fitting.
What Is the Cheapest Place to Buy Blackout Curtains in Dubai?
The cheapest place to buy blackout curtains in Dubai on price alone is usually a big-box retailer such as IKEA or Home Centre, because they sell fixed, mass-produced sizes. However, cheapest on the receipt is not always cheapest overall, especially if the curtain does not fit your window and you need to buy a second one.
The table below compares the main options UAE shoppers consider when they search for cheap blackout curtains in Dubai, based on general pricing tier and service, not exact figures.
| Where to Buy | Price Tier | Sizing | Fit for UAE Windows | Installation |
| IKEA | Budget, fixed retail pricing | Standard ready-made widths/drops | Often needs trimming or layering panels | Self-install, no UAE fitting service |
| Home Centre | Budget to mid, seasonal offers | Standard ready-made sizes | Same fixed-size limitation as IKEA | Self-install, no free fitting |
| Lulu | Budget, mixed stock quality | Limited size range, stock varies by branch | Frequently too short or too narrow for local window heights | Self-install |
| Amazon.ae | Wide price range, quality varies by seller | Fixed sizes, some near-custom listings | Hit or miss without measuring first | No installation included |
| Curtain Crew Dxw (Custom) | Mid-range, made to your exact window | Made-to-measure, any width or drop | Built for your window, floor-to-ceiling or your chosen length | Free measuring and fitting in Dubai and Abu Dhabi |
As you can see, the real difference is not the fabric itself. It is sizing flexibility and whether fitting is included. That gap is what causes most of the complaints we hear from customers who tried retail curtains first.
How Do Retail Blackout Curtain Options Compare in the UAE?
Before you buy blackout curtains Dubai-wide from a retail chain, it helps to know what each one is actually good at, and where it tends to fall short for local homes.
Does IKEA Sell Blackout Curtains in Dubai?
Yes, IKEA stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock blackout curtain panels in a handful of standard widths and drops. They are a reasonable budget starting point for a small bedroom window with a standard ceiling height.
On the other hand, IKEA panels rarely match the taller windows and floor-to-ceiling glass common in newer Dubai towers. Many customers end up buying two packs and stitching or clipping them together, which affects how well the blackout lining blocks light at the seams.
Are Home Centre Blackout Curtains Good Value?
Home Centre blackout curtains are good value if your window matches one of their set sizes and you are comfortable installing the curtain yourself. Their seasonal sales can make the price tier attractive for a quick, temporary fix.
That said, Home Centre does not offer free measuring or fitting in Dubai, so the finished look depends entirely on how close your window is to their standard sizes.
Can I Buy Blackout Curtains From Lulu in Dubai?
Yes, Lulu Hypermarket carries blackout curtains in select branches, usually as part of a broader home textiles range rather than a dedicated curtain department. Stock and sizing vary by location, so availability is inconsistent.
In our experience, Lulu works best as a stopgap option, for example a rental property you plan to leave soon, rather than a long-term fit for a family home.
Is It Cheaper to Buy Blackout Curtains From Amazon.ae?
Amazon blackout curtains price comparison shopping can turn up a wide spread of listings, from very cheap unbranded panels to higher-end imported brands. Because you cannot see or feel the fabric first, weight and light-blocking quality are hard to judge from photos alone.
Furthermore, Amazon.ae does not provide installation in the UAE, and returns on curtain-length items can be slow. If a panel arrives with the wrong drop for your window, you are back to square one.
What Sizes Do Ready-Made Blackout Curtains Come In?
Ready-made blackout curtains typically come in a limited set of widths and drops, for instance panels sized around blackout curtains 300cm or blackout curtains 200×300 for taller windows. These sizes are designed to suit average window dimensions, not the specific building you live in.
As a result, UAE homes with floor-to-ceiling glass, bay windows, or non-standard heights often fall between two ready-made sizes. You either buy a curtain that is too short and lets light in at the bottom, or one that is too long and bunches on the floor.
Common ready-made widths: roughly 117cm to 145cm per panel
Common ready-made drops: roughly 137cm, 182cm, 213cm, or 300cm
Custom drops: made to your exact ceiling height, including double-height living rooms.
Do Retail Blackout Curtains Fit UAE Windows Properly?
Often, no. Many Dubai apartments and villas have taller-than-average windows, sliding doors, or wide open-plan glass walls, and standard retail sizes were not designed with these layouts in mind. This is the single biggest objection we hear from customers switching from retail to custom.
A common mistake we see is buying a ready-made curtain based on the window width alone, while ignoring the track or rod length needed for proper coverage. If the curtain does not extend past the window frame on both sides, light leaks in around the edges, which defeats the purpose of blackout fabric in the first place.
What We Check On-Site Before Fitting
Because fit makes or breaks a blackout curtain, our team does a short on-site check before quoting. This is part of our free measuring and fitting Dubai service, and it typically takes 15 to 20 minutes per room.
Exact window and wall-to-wall width, plus track or rod position
Ceiling height and any bulkheads that limit rod placement
Light gaps around the frame, especially on sliding doors
Curtain weight needed, since heavier blackout fabric hangs and blocks light differently than light panels
In our experience, a curtain hung even 5cm too narrow on either side lets in a visible strip of morning light, which is the exact problem most ready-made buyers come to us to fix.
Is Custom-Made Cheaper Than Ready-Made in the Long Run?
Custom blackout curtains Dubai buyers order usually cost more than a single ready-made panel at checkout. Over time, however, custom often works out more cost-effective, because you are not paying twice for a curtain that does not fit.
Consequently, when customers factor in a wasted first purchase, DIY installation time, and hardware bought separately, the total cost gap between retail and custom narrows significantly. Custom pricing also includes free measuring and fitting, which retail options do not.
Retail: lower sticker price, but you cover sizing risk, hardware, and installation
Custom: higher per-panel price, but sizing, fitting, and light-gap checks are included
For readers who want detailed price ranges by fabric type and room, our Blackout Curtains in Dubai buying guide covers that side in full, so we won’t repeat it here.
Where Can You Buy Custom Blackout Curtains in Dubai Marina, Business Bay, JBR and Abu Dhabi?
We fit made-to-measure curtains UAE wide, with regular projects across Dubai Marina, JBR, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, and Arabian Ranches, as well as Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah.
If you are searching for blackout curtains in Dubai Marina specifically, our team already knows the common window styles in that area’s towers, from floor-to-ceiling glass to sliding balcony doors, which speeds up the measuring visit.
Do You Sell Blackout Curtains in Abu Dhabi Too?
Yes, we cover blackout curtains Abu Dhabi as well, alongside Dubai. Our free measuring and fitting service extends to both emirates, so you do not need a separate local supplier for each city.
You can browse our full range on the Blackout Curtains Dubai service page, or see our wider offering on the Custom Curtain Dubai page if you are also curtaining other rooms in the same visit.
Our Warranty and What to Expect
We offer a standard workmanship warranty on stitching and hardware fitting, and we recheck any panel that is not hanging or sealing light correctly within the warranty period. In our experience, most callbacks come from settling in new-build apartments, where wall fixings shift slightly in the first few months, not from the fabric itself.
Before your fitting date, we confirm fabric choice, drop length, and track style with you in writing, so there are no surprises on install day.
Which Option Should You Choose?
If your window matches a standard size and budget is the only concern, a retail option like IKEA or Home Centre can work as a short-term fix. For most homes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, though, custom blackout curtains ordered by Dubai residents tend to deliver better results because free measuring and fitting remove the guesswork that retail options leave you with.
FAQ: Blackout Curtains in Dubai
What is the cheapest place to buy blackout curtains in Dubai?
Big-box retailers such as IKEA and Home Centre are typically the cheapest places to buy blackout curtains in Dubai on price alone, since they sell fixed, mass-produced sizes. However, if your window does not match their standard sizes, a custom curtain can end up cheaper overall by avoiding a second purchase.
Do ready-made blackout curtains fit standard Dubai apartment windows?
Sometimes, but not reliably. Many Dubai apartments have taller windows or floor-to-ceiling glass, so ready-made sizes like blackout curtains 300cm or 200×300 often fall short or leave gaps at the edges where light can enter.
How long does custom blackout curtain fitting take in Dubai?
A typical on-site measuring visit takes 15 to 20 minutes per room, and most custom orders are ready for fitting within a set turnaround time after your fabric and style are confirmed. Your Curtain Crew DXW team will confirm the exact timeline when you request a quote.
Do you offer free measuring and fitting in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
Yes, free measuring and fitting are included with every custom blackout curtain order across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, so you do not pay separately for installation.
Is custom-made cheaper than ready-made in the long run?
Custom-made usually costs more upfront than a single ready-made panel. In the long run, though, custom is often more cost-effective because it avoids wasted purchases, DIY installation time, and light-gap issues common with ill-fitting ready-made curtains.
Ready for a Free Quote?
Skip the guesswork on sizing and message our team on WhatsApp for a free measuring and fitting quote on custom blackout curtains in Dubai, Dubai Marina, Business Bay, JBR, or Abu Dhabi