own experience - overview
Curtains Dubai
IKEA vs Curtains Factory
We're trying to buy curtains for a 1br apt in Dubai Hills from IKEA's physical store and online company Curtains Factory. Comparing prices, conditions, tricks, and tips.
Intro
Today we will compare two different ways how to buy a curtains in Dubai: IKEA vs Curtains Factory. My name is Ivan I will tell my own honest experience, all the details thats importnant to know, some tips and tricks that will helps you to save your money and time and to make right choice, what pros & cons are in both ways. I will do all this experiments for 1BR apt in Dubai Hills for 2 windows with a sizes 2,5 x 3 meters.
How to get to the shop
First of all lets mention that all we'are here mostly for work, i mean in Dubai, so lets measure not only money, but time as well. As we'are start our trip from Dubai Hills by Al Khail road it will takes us around 20-25 min to come to IKEA in Festival City Mall, lets take any weekday so there are no traffic at the roads.
From the beginning let me give you small tips to save your time - how to quickly get to curtains section in that IKEA:
You need to come up by first elevator to IKEA, then turn right, missing all second floor with demonstrations of flats, then turn down by the second stairs and immediately turn left into the fast gate to the textile section and take a little to the right there. Let's play along with IKEA and count 10 minutes against 40 minutes if you don't know this fast way.
Curtains Factory in turn will come to your home at a time convenient for you with all the catalogs and we will take measurements on site and make a final price calculation. 0 minutes.
First of all lets mention that all we'are here mostly for work, i mean in Dubai, so lets measure not only money, but time as well. As we'are start our trip from Dubai Hills by Al Khail road it will takes us around 20-25 min to come to IKEA in Festival City Mall, lets take any weekday so there are no traffic at the roads.
From the beginning let me give you small tips to save your time - how to quickly get to curtains section in that IKEA:
You need to come up by first elevator to IKEA, then turn right, missing all second floor with demonstrations of flats, then turn down by the second stairs and immediately turn left into the fast gate to the textile section and take a little to the right there. Let's play along with IKEA and count 10 minutes against 40 minutes if you don't know this fast way.
Curtains Factory in turn will come to your home at a time convenient for you with all the catalogs and we will take measurements on site and make a final price calculation. 0 minutes.
IKEA Curtains Festival City
The ordering process at IKEA
Choosing fabric.
Let's start with choosing fabric. The choice is quite diverse, with different fabrics types, colors, and types of curtains. There are many variations of polyester, slightly less cotton, and some linen curtains. The variety of fabric colors is a big plus. There are children's patterns, mono texture curtains, and various patterns. We also have both sheers and blackout curtains with 100% light blocking, as well as classic curtains with 60-70% room darkening.
In our experiment, we will focus on natural fabrics, because breathing in the fumes of artificial materials under strong sunlight is not big present to your health. What is important to consider in the logic of selling curtains from Ikea is that these are ready-made, pre-sewn sets of standard sizes, usually 145 cm wide by 300 cm high and 2 panels in a set. Our window is 2.5 meters wide, two panels of 145 cm in the closed form will cover, becoming a flat stretched fabric, which is neither realistic nor beautiful. The basic way for the curtains sewing are 2 window widths, so that even when closed, the curtains look elegant, do not let light coming and it is physically possible to stretch them to the full width when close the window. Therefore, we will need to buy 2 sets of blackout and 2 sets of sheers and do joining for both, so we will get 2 panels sheers (290cm and 290cm) and 2 panels blackout total. Fortunately, this option is available in IKEA itself and costs only 30 AED for a sewn pair. However, if your window is higher than 300 cm, then you will not be able to finish sewing the material, since horizontal seams look ugly and no one undertakes to perform them.
Let's start with choosing fabric. The choice is quite diverse, with different fabrics types, colors, and types of curtains. There are many variations of polyester, slightly less cotton, and some linen curtains. The variety of fabric colors is a big plus. There are children's patterns, mono texture curtains, and various patterns. We also have both sheers and blackout curtains with 100% light blocking, as well as classic curtains with 60-70% room darkening.
In our experiment, we will focus on natural fabrics, because breathing in the fumes of artificial materials under strong sunlight is not big present to your health. What is important to consider in the logic of selling curtains from Ikea is that these are ready-made, pre-sewn sets of standard sizes, usually 145 cm wide by 300 cm high and 2 panels in a set. Our window is 2.5 meters wide, two panels of 145 cm in the closed form will cover, becoming a flat stretched fabric, which is neither realistic nor beautiful. The basic way for the curtains sewing are 2 window widths, so that even when closed, the curtains look elegant, do not let light coming and it is physically possible to stretch them to the full width when close the window. Therefore, we will need to buy 2 sets of blackout and 2 sets of sheers and do joining for both, so we will get 2 panels sheers (290cm and 290cm) and 2 panels blackout total. Fortunately, this option is available in IKEA itself and costs only 30 AED for a sewn pair. However, if your window is higher than 300 cm, then you will not be able to finish sewing the material, since horizontal seams look ugly and no one undertakes to perform them.
We look for the composition of the fabric on the back of the package or the price tag, so that it is 100% cotton or 100% linen
Sheers & Blackout
Total 956 aed for sheers and blackout fabric
Our next task is to find and choose the type of fixing - either rails or a rods. Rails are more convenient when it is possible to hang curtains from floor to ceiling, while a rod is good when your windows themselves are not floor-to-ceiling. Rails fixing will allow you totally protect the room from the sun, while rod is an excellent solution for livings rooms where the windows are not from floor to ceiling and no need 100% sun blocking. The advantage of IKEA is the availability of all these related materials in one place.
There are 2 types of rails
a) A separate rail for each layer of curtains
b) A common rail with two slides for sheers and blackout
There is no big difference between them, the free space where the curtains will be fixed and the cost of the rails themselves and their installation.
IKEA charges 60 aed for the installation of 1 piece of rail, while the length of the rails is 140 cm, which means we will need 4 separate rails, or 2 adjacent ones. We have enough space to install separate rails, there will be a little more air and easier to use them, as well it is cheaper. We will take 4 pcs by 50 aed. The cost of an adjacent one is 75 aed per piece.
We will also need runners and hooks. 1 pack per 1-1,5 meter. In order not to be left without a couple of missing pieces of runners and hooks, we will take 1 package per 1 meter, that in total 4 packages of runners and hooks for blackouts and sheers.
The total cost of the rails will be
Total 592 aed for rails
Sheers & Blackout
298 aed = 2 x 149 aed | Sheers | 2 pack |
598 aed = 2 x 299 aed | Blackout | 2 pack |
60 aed = 2 x 30 aed | Joining | 2 times |
Our next task is to find and choose the type of fixing - either rails or a rods. Rails are more convenient when it is possible to hang curtains from floor to ceiling, while a rod is good when your windows themselves are not floor-to-ceiling. Rails fixing will allow you totally protect the room from the sun, while rod is an excellent solution for livings rooms where the windows are not from floor to ceiling and no need 100% sun blocking. The advantage of IKEA is the availability of all these related materials in one place.
There are 2 types of rails
a) A separate rail for each layer of curtains
b) A common rail with two slides for sheers and blackout
There is no big difference between them, the free space where the curtains will be fixed and the cost of the rails themselves and their installation.
IKEA charges 60 aed for the installation of 1 piece of rail, while the length of the rails is 140 cm, which means we will need 4 separate rails, or 2 adjacent ones. We have enough space to install separate rails, there will be a little more air and easier to use them, as well it is cheaper. We will take 4 pcs by 50 aed. The cost of an adjacent one is 75 aed per piece.
We will also need runners and hooks. 1 pack per 1-1,5 meter. In order not to be left without a couple of missing pieces of runners and hooks, we will take 1 package per 1 meter, that in total 4 packages of runners and hooks for blackouts and sheers.
The total cost of the rails will be
200 aed = 4 x 50aed | 140cm rails | 4 pcs |
76 aed = 4 x 19 aed | Runners | 4 pcs |
76 aed = 4 x 19 aed | Hooks | 4 pcs |
240 aed = 4 x 60 aed | Fixing | 4 pcs |
As an alternative to the rails, we can consider installing a rod. For this, we are offered a choice of white, black and gold colors, a rod that extends to the required width. There are 2 sizes, up to 210 cm and up to 385 cm. In our case, the second one is suitable at a cost of 35 aed per piece. We will need brackets - we will put our rod on them.
Please note that by default brackets are sold for 1 rod, if you have both sheers and blackout, you need to buy one more holder.
Total 10 aed + 5 aed x 2. To prevent the curtains from falling after opening and closing, we will also need finals, they are not included in the kit and you need to buy them additionally, at a price of 5 aed for 1 set, we will accordingly need 2 sets. In addition, the curtain moves along the rod, unlike the rail, on rings, which means you need to buy a set of rings at the rate of 1 pack per meter. For our 2.5 meters x 2 rods, we need to buy 5 packs at 19 aed.
Total cost of rods
Total 420 aed for rods
Delivery
When ordering from 250 aed IKEA makes free delivery to the door
Final order
In our case, two windows from floor to ceiling, a glass partition that makes the space unified, which tells us that the solution with rails will be ideal for use in both rooms. Let's calculate the final figures: 956 aed + 592 aed = 1548 aed and from 1-1,5 hours to choose, collect all the components and go to the checkout.
Please note that by default brackets are sold for 1 rod, if you have both sheers and blackout, you need to buy one more holder.
Total 10 aed + 5 aed x 2. To prevent the curtains from falling after opening and closing, we will also need finals, they are not included in the kit and you need to buy them additionally, at a price of 5 aed for 1 set, we will accordingly need 2 sets. In addition, the curtain moves along the rod, unlike the rail, on rings, which means you need to buy a set of rings at the rate of 1 pack per meter. For our 2.5 meters x 2 rods, we need to buy 5 packs at 19 aed.
Total cost of rods
70 aed = 2 x 35 aed | Rod 210-385cm | 2 pcs |
30 aed = 2 x 15 aed | Brackets | 2 pcs |
95 aed = 5 x 19 aed | Rings | 5 pcs |
10 aed = 2 x 5 aed | Finals | 2 pcs |
95 aed = 5 x 19 aed | Hooks | 5 pcs |
Fixing 120 = 2 x 60 aed | Fixing | 2 pcs |
Delivery
When ordering from 250 aed IKEA makes free delivery to the door
Final order
In our case, two windows from floor to ceiling, a glass partition that makes the space unified, which tells us that the solution with rails will be ideal for use in both rooms. Let's calculate the final figures: 956 aed + 592 aed = 1548 aed and from 1-1,5 hours to choose, collect all the components and go to the checkout.
IKEA curtains for 2 windows 2,5x3m
1548 aed cost
2,5 hours
1548 aed cost
2,5 hours
The ordering process at Curtains Factory
Choosing fabric.
The process of choosing materials takes place at your home or office at a convenient time, representative arrives and brings with him catalogs with fabric, with a focus on natural fabrics cotton and linen, as well as high-quality, but more budgetary fabrics made of selected polyester.
The specialist, being already at your home, immediately prompts with the choice of color and material based on the design of your apartment, together with him you can conveniently understand and estimate the fabric inside the interior. There are about 10 catalogs to choose from with 30-50 pages of colors and patterns, so in total of about 500 types of fabric at your home in a convenient format, you can flip through everything and choose the most suitable one. It is also important to note that the specialist, while you are choosing fabrics, will make all the measurements of your windows and the curtains will be sewn exactly to your match your fit.
The process of choosing materials takes place at your home or office at a convenient time, representative arrives and brings with him catalogs with fabric, with a focus on natural fabrics cotton and linen, as well as high-quality, but more budgetary fabrics made of selected polyester.
The specialist, being already at your home, immediately prompts with the choice of color and material based on the design of your apartment, together with him you can conveniently understand and estimate the fabric inside the interior. There are about 10 catalogs to choose from with 30-50 pages of colors and patterns, so in total of about 500 types of fabric at your home in a convenient format, you can flip through everything and choose the most suitable one. It is also important to note that the specialist, while you are choosing fabrics, will make all the measurements of your windows and the curtains will be sewn exactly to your match your fit.
more then 500 types of fabric
In our case of an apartment in Dubai Hills, we have exactly 320 cm height, which makes this scenario ideal for our windows. By default, Curtains Factory sews in sizes 2 widths of your windows, and there is also a waves style when 2.5 widths of the window fabric are taken and a special rails is using that strongly fixes the folds curtains.
Curtain fixing can also be made in the form of rails for curtains from the floor to the ceiling or the wall fixing rods. In our case, let me remind you. we are dealing with windows from the floor to the ceiling.
The cost is calculated as the width of the window x the height of the window x 70 aed for sheers and 110 aed for blackout for "selected" fabrics, there are as well a "premium".
This cost already includes:
Curtain fixing can also be made in the form of rails for curtains from the floor to the ceiling or the wall fixing rods. In our case, let me remind you. we are dealing with windows from the floor to the ceiling.
The cost is calculated as the width of the window x the height of the window x 70 aed for sheers and 110 aed for blackout for "selected" fabrics, there are as well a "premium".
This cost already includes:
- designer's visit to your home,
- custom tailoring,
- rails or cornices
- runners
- hooks
- installation
- delivery
- steaming
- cleaning
Fixinig including steaming and cleaning
Let's be honest, the pricing process is extremely simple, length x width x price, that's it.
Let's calculate the cost for our windows 2.5 x 3 meters
Sheers + Blackout + Rails / Rods
Total order costs 1350 aed + 5% vat = 1417 aed
Additionally, I would like to note that there is an option of interest-free installments in 4 payments, i.e. you can get custom-made curtains by paying only 354 aed. With large expenses for moving, this option is extremely useful.
Time spent on measuring 2 windows and choosing materials 30-40 minutes
Let's calculate the cost for our windows 2.5 x 3 meters
Sheers + Blackout + Rails / Rods
525 aed = 2.5x3 x 70 aed | Sheers selected fabric | 2 pcs |
825 aed = 2.5x3 x 110 aed | Blackout selected fabric | 2 pcs |
0 aed | Rails or rods | 2 pcs |
0 aed | Fixing | |
0 aed | Delivery | |
0 aed | Steaming | |
0 aed | Cleaning |
Additionally, I would like to note that there is an option of interest-free installments in 4 payments, i.e. you can get custom-made curtains by paying only 354 aed. With large expenses for moving, this option is extremely useful.
Time spent on measuring 2 windows and choosing materials 30-40 minutes
Curtains Factory curtains for 2 windows 2,5x3m
1417 aed cost
0,5 hours
1417 aed cost
0,5 hours
Pros & Cons
IKEA
+ Large selection of materials and accessories in one place
+ For small windows, you can pick up ready-made curtains on the same day
+ It will be cheaper for small windows
- More expensive
- x5 much time spend to choose and buy
- You cannot buy curtains higher than 300 cm
- Joining after sewing of fabric, especially bad for wide windows
- No motors
- You need to take care of everything yourself so as not to forget all the materials
Curtains Factory
+ Very easy and transparent - choose fabric and pay only for square meters
+ Cheaper
+ Time savings
+ The most individual product dimensions, height, length, material, color
+ You can add a motor or change the style to waves
+ No need to think about related materials
- More expensive for small windows
- Minimum order is 500 aed
- Sewing time 4-5 days
+ Large selection of materials and accessories in one place
+ For small windows, you can pick up ready-made curtains on the same day
+ It will be cheaper for small windows
- More expensive
- x5 much time spend to choose and buy
- You cannot buy curtains higher than 300 cm
- Joining after sewing of fabric, especially bad for wide windows
- No motors
- You need to take care of everything yourself so as not to forget all the materials
Curtains Factory
+ Very easy and transparent - choose fabric and pay only for square meters
+ Cheaper
+ Time savings
+ The most individual product dimensions, height, length, material, color
+ You can add a motor or change the style to waves
+ No need to think about related materials
- More expensive for small windows
- Minimum order is 500 aed
- Sewing time 4-5 days
Summary
In result i see, that to choose curtains now in a city where everything so fast and important, if you want to get uniq and great quality product made special for your home, save your time and money - my vote will be for Curtains Factory.
Book a free visit
You can choose a convenient time and Curtains Factory representative will come to show fabric and take a measurements