Image: MagicLinen
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The Best ECO-FRIENDLY, sustainable CURTAINS
Curtains play an important role in any home. They give your space a relaxing and cozy atmosphere while ensuring your privacy from the outside world. They add warmth to your rooms in the winter, and give you shade when the sun is too bright.
Curtains are also a decor accessory and they can be an easy yet efficient way to style and elevate your interiors.
You can find them in most furniture and home goods stores, but the problem with mass-produced items is that they’re usually not sustainably made and they’re unhealthy to have around.
The majority of curtains are made using synthetic materials, the most common one being polyester, a non-biodegradable fabric. They’re often made with PVC, which contains harmful chemicals such as phthalates and volatile organic compounds.
Many other chemicals are used to produce home textiles, and you might be inhaling them on a daily basis. So buying conventional curtains is not good for you or the environment!
If you want to buy more sustainable versions, here is a list of 10 brands selling eco-friendly curtains that will make your home feel cozy and luxurious!
Some of these are bigger brands that aren’t perfect in terms of sustainability, but they’ve made progress and started selling greener products. They’re generally often more accessible to most people, that’s why we’re including them in this list.
WHAT MAKES CURTAINS SUSTAINABLE?
Sustainable curtains are made with eco-friendly materials, preferably using plant-based dyes and non-toxic treatments.
Try to avoid “stain-resistant” or “wrinkle-free” curtains. They may contain toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, like perfluorochemical or formaldehyde, and those might not break down in the environment.
Also, make sure that the brand is sweatshop-free, paying its workers fairly, and not using forced labor nor child labor. The supply chain should be transparent and traceable. Even better if the brand is Fair Trade certified!
WHAT SUSTAINABLE FABRICS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?
Sustainable curtains are made with natural and biodegradable materials, like linen, cotton or hemp. Recycled polyester is another great alternative you shouldn’t ignore.
Try to look for fabrics that are Oeko-Tex certified to make sure they do not contain harmful chemicals. And if you can, choose ones that received the GOTS certification.
OUR TOP PICKS FOR ECO-FRIENDLY, Sustainable CURTAINS:
1. West Elm
Materials: Cotton, Linen
Price: $30 - 890
West Elm has been taking the initiative to offer more sustainable products to its customers in the past few years.
The brand offers a variety of curtains and blackout curtains, in different neutral colors.
Some are made using polyester, but many others are made of cotton or European flax linen.
More than half of West Elm’s curtains are made in a Fair Trade certified facility, meaning that workers have access to fair wages and safe working conditions. It’s so cool because it’s rare to find Fair Trade certified curtains!
If you want, you can also choose to order these curtains without the blackout lining, which is made of polyester.
The brand also sells window hardware, like wooden or metal rods that have an adjustable length.
2. Made Trade
Materials: Cotton, Linen
Price: $40 - 187
Made Trade is a sustainable online store featuring 130 ethical and conscious brands that sell clothing, accessories and a wide variety of home goods. Most curtains available on Made Trade are made by the brand Ichcha. Ichcha offers a great selection of bohemian-style curtains that are made of chemical-free cotton. Its curtains are colored with natural vegetable dyes made from flowers, spices, bark, minerals, and leaves.
Ichcha works with artisan families who create the brand’s products using traditional techniques, like hand weaving, block printing and hand embroidery.
You can also choose a set of curtains by the brand Soil to Studio. These Fair Trade linen curtains are handwoven and block-printed by weavers and artisans in India. They’ll add a minimalist touch of natural color to your home!
Made Trade is climate-neutral certified: the company offsets its entire carbon footprint and supports several forest conservation projects around the world.
3. Pottery Barn
Materials: Cotton, Linen
Price: $40 - 772
Over the years, Pottery Barn has been taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of its products.
The brand has a great selection of curtains that are made in different materials.
While they’re not all sustainable, you can easily find curtains made from eco-friendly materials like cotton or Belgian linen.
Pottery Barn uses cotton that is Fair Trade certified, sustainably sourced through the Better Cotton Initiative, and that received the Oeko-Tex certification.
The brand’s curtains are available in a variety of neutral colors, which is ideal to give a modern yet cozy feel to your home! You can also find curtains that are perfect for children’s rooms.
Most Pottery Barn’s blackout curtains have a polyester lining, but you can easily choose some that have a lining made of cotton.
4. April Notes
Materials: Linen
Price: $95 - 175
At April Notes, the focus is on creating timeless home textiles that embody quality and sustainability. Their product range is crafted from carefully selected natural materials, such as luxurious linen, soft organic cotton, and cozy merino wool, each chosen for its durability and comfort.
Every aspect of their process reflects their commitment to advocating for a more mindful home. From the initial design stage through to the final product, they prioritize not only aesthetic appeal but also functionality and environmental responsibility. In addition to conscious material choices, April Notes employs an on-demand manufacturing model that effectively eliminates textile waste—ensuring that each product is made as needed rather than mass-produced.
Attention to detail is evident in every element of their offerings, right down to the smallest button and the biodegradable packaging that houses their products. April Notes continuously strives to push the envelope on sustainability, creating pieces that not only evoke feelings of happiness, comfort, and warmth but also inspire customers to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle in their home environments!
5. LinenTales
Materials: Linen
Price: $115 - 320
Linen Daytime & Nighttime Tunnel (& Tie Top) Curtains are designed with both style and functionality in mind, making them a perfect addition to your home decor. These curtains are easy to hang and maintain, allowing you to effortlessly enhance any room.
Crafted from 100% linen, they offer a unique combination of comfort and aesthetic appeal, showcasing a beautiful wrinkled texture that adds character to your space. For those who prefer a more polished appearance, a simple ironing will yield a crisp, tidy look.
The daytime curtains are made from a semi-sheer fabric that gently filters light, creating a warm and inviting ambiance while still providing some privacy. This makes them ideal for living rooms, kitchens, or any area where you want to enjoy natural light without feeling exposed.
If you desire a more substantial and heavier fabric for enhanced privacy and light blockage, their nighttime curtains are the perfect solution. Each curtain is meticulously handmade in Lithuania, emphasizing the artisanal quality of the product. They undergo a special stone washing process, which not only enhances the fabric's coziness but also contributes to a softer feel. Additionally, the curtains are certified by OEKO-TEX® and EUROPEAN FLAX®, ensuring that they meet rigorous standards for safety and environmental sustainability!
6. MagicLinen
Materials: Linen
Price: $68 - 90
MagicLinen is a brand that creates all kinds of linen home textiles, from bedding and towels, to clothing, curtains and tablecloths.
The brand sells a range of semi-sheer and sheer curtain panels, all made of linen. They are designed to fit various headings, have unique design details, and are available in many colors. They are perfect to create subtle lighting and ambiance in your home!
MagicLinen’s curtains are handcrafted in Vilnius, and all the fabric is sourced within Lithuania and neighboring countries. The brand’s products are Oeko-Tex certified, so they’re free of toxic chemicals and substances.
MagicLinen has been making progress minimizing its waste by reusing most of the textile leftovers, like it did last year to create Christmas tree decorations.
All the brand’s mailers are 100% compostable, made out of corn starch and a bio-based polymer.
7. Crate & Barrel
Materials: Cotton, Linen, Hemp, Silk
Price: $45 - 260
Like other bigger brands, Crate and Barrel has been taking action to transition to selling more eco-friendly products. This is especially true for its curtains! Even though the brand sells some polyester curtains, the majority of curtains you can find at Crate and Barrel are made from natural materials, like linen, cotton, hemp and silk. The linings are also made of cotton, instead of polyester.
For a big brand, it is unusual to find as many curtains made using natural materials, especially sustainable fabrics like hemp or linen.
You can choose from a large selection of semi-sheer, sheer and blackout curtains. They’re mostly available in neutral colors, like whites, beiges, blacks, and greys. I love how simple their design is, and that they add a peaceful feel to any room!
8. Rough Linen
Materials: Linen
Price: $135 - 187
Rough Linen is a brand making linen wares for the whole house, as well as linen clothing for women and men.
The brand sells a variety of curtains in many colors, and they are all made of 100% linen fabric, woven from European flax.
The curtains are individually handcrafted in small batches by a team of women in California.
Rough Linen offers five different types of linens, and each has a different texture and weight. All these curtains are 5-star rated by almost all verified buyers!
The company practices small-scale and flexible production to make sure it meets the demand without creating unnecessary textile waste. It uses off-cuts to create smaller items, like napkins, quilts and storage bags.
Rough Linen sends its products in minimal, plastic-free packaging, using tissue, ribbon and recycled cardboard boxes.
9. I Love Linen
Materials: Linen
Price: $189
I Love Linen creates a wide range of bedding, towels, clothing and home textiles for the dining and living room.
The brand sells a curtain set made from 100% French linen that has a simple yet stylish design. These curtains are sold in a natural beige color and are shipped in their own linen storage bag. I Love Linen makes its products in limited quantities to meet the demand and avoid waste.
The brand does not use formaldehyde to set its dyes, which is healthier for you and the environment.
All the fibers are Oeko-Tex certified, meaning that they do not contain any harmful substances. They also received the ECOCERT certification, which certifies that the fibers have been 100% organically grown.
I Love Linen is very transparent about where its products are made, and works closely with a factory that is SA8000 rated, which guarantees the fair and ethical treatment of workers.
10. Epic Linen
Materials: Linen
Price: $107-157
Epic Linen is a family-owned business selling linen home textiles and clothing for women and children. The two founders are the fourth generation in their family working in the linen industry, making them experts in the field.
The brand makes a variety of curtains, all made of 100% linen. For some curtains, you have more than 20 colors to choose from, and you can pick the exact hanging method you need.
You can also choose among various length and width measurements. And since each set of curtains is made by a tailor, Epic Linen can make different sizes according to your needs!
All Epic Linen’s products are cut and sewn by hand in the company’s workshop located in Lithuania. The company buys its linen fabric from a local manufacturer that is Oeko-Tex certified.
About the Author:
Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.
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