New window furnishings can feel more complicated than it should. Between roller blinds, sheer curtains, blockout options and everything in between, it’s hard to know which style suits your home, let alone what a fair deal actually looks like. Every window is different, and so is the right treatment for it depending on the room, the amount of light you want to control, and the overall look you’re going for.
This guide walks through the main types of curtains and blinds available in 2026, what influences the cost of each, and how to budget confidently for your home before you start comparing quotes.
How Much Do Curtains and Blinds Cost in 2026?
As a general rule, most Australian homeowners pay between $60 and $900 per window for curtains and blinds in 2026, depending on the product type, fabric, and whether professional installation is included.
Fully installed, custom-measured treatments from a traditional supplier typically land between $120 and $500 per window, with a full three-bedroom home (around 10–12 windows) costing somewhere between $1,800 and $5,000 once fitting is included.
If you buy made-to-measure blinds or curtains online and install them yourself, that same home can often be furnished for a fraction of that, since you’re only paying for the product, not a measuring visit, a sales commission, or an installer’s callout fee.
2026 Price Comparison Table: Blinds vs Curtains
Here’s how the most popular window furnishings compare on price per window in 2026.
| Window Treatment | Average Cost (Per Window) | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| Roller Blinds | $84 – $220 | Kitchens, living rooms, budget-friendly rooms |
| Vertical Blinds | $100 – $161 | Sliding doors and patio glass |
| Venetian Blinds (PVC/Aluminium) | $183 – $232 | Bathrooms and high-moisture areas |
| Double Roller | $150 – $220 | Thermal insulation and day-night light control |
| Roman Blinds | $150 – $300 | A tailored, softer fabric look |
| Sheer Curtains | $153 – $583 | Soft daytime privacy and diffused natural light |
| Blockout Curtains | $153 – $583 | Bedrooms, full darkness, and insulation |
| Blockout Blinds | $84 – $220 | Bedrooms and media rooms on a tighter budget |
| Plantation Shutters | $136 – $163 | Long-term style and resale value |
Note: Prices above reflect supplied product costs in the Australian market and can vary based on window size, track width, fabric grade, city or region, and the supplier you choose.
What Actually Affects the Price of Blinds and Curtains?
Two windows of the same size can come back with very different quotes. Here’s what really drives that difference.
1. Window Size, Shape and Fabric
Wider, taller, or unusually shaped windows (bay windows, sliding doors, floor-to-ceiling glass) need more fabric and larger hardware, so price climbs with the opening size. Fabric matters too; basic light-filtering fabrics sit at the affordable end, while blockout, thermal, or designer-weave fabrics push prices higher. Sheer curtains are priced lower than a blockout curtain because they use lighter, less structured fabric.
2. Layering (The ‘Hotel Look’)
One of the biggest trends heading into 2026 is layering, pairing sheer curtains with a block out curtain on a double track for a soft, hotel-style finish. A layered setup uses double the fabric and hardware, so it costs more per window, but gives flexible light control day and night.
3. Motorisation and Installation
A motorised or smart-controlled track generally adds a few hundred dollars per window. Installation is the factor most people underestimate: a professional charges labour on top of the product price, often with a flat minimum callout fee. Ordering made-to-measure blinds or curtains online and fitting them yourself usually with nothing more than a cordless drill removes that cost entirely.
Is It Cheaper to Get Blinds or Curtains?
In almost every case, blinds are cheaper upfront. Roller blinds, vertical blinds and Venetian blinds typically start much lower per window than curtains, simply because they use less fabric and simpler hardware.
Curtains particularly sheer and blockout curtains cost more because of the fabric volume, the track or rod system, and often the lining needed for a proper blockout effect. That said, curtains bring softness, warmth and acoustic benefits blinds can’t fully replicate, which is why many Australian homes use both: blinds for daily light control, curtains layered over the top for style. If budget is the main driver, roller blinds or blockout blinds are the more economical starting point.
How Much Should You Budget for Blinds?
Work out the number of windows in your home and multiply by an average per-window cost for the treatment you want.
- Studio or 1-bedroom apartment (4–6 windows): roughly $400 – $2,000 depending on blind type..
- Standard 3-bedroom house (10–12 windows): roughly $1,000 – $5,000 for a full-home refresh.
- Larger 4-bedroom family home (14–18 windows): roughly $1,800 – $8,000+, especially with curtains in living areas and blockout blinds in bedrooms.
These figures assume standard-sized windows, large sliding doors or floor-to-ceiling glass will push individual line items higher. Getting instant online pricing by entering your own measurements is the fastest way to get an accurate figure.
What Blinds Are in Fashion for 2026?
Style preferences shift each year, and 2026 leans toward warmth, texture and quiet automation rather than anything bold or flashy.
- Warm neutral tones: sand, warm taupe, stone and soft greige are replacing the cooler greys and whites of previous years.
- Layered treatments: pairing sheer curtains with blockout blinds or blockout curtains for flexible day-to-night light control.
- Textured, natural-look fabrics: linen-look weaves that feel tactile rather than plastic.
- Motorised, app-controlled blinds: smart, remote-operated roller and blockout blinds are now mainstream, not just a luxury add-on.
None of these trends need a premium budget; warm-toned roller blinds and blockout blinds are widely available at entry-level prices, so you can follow the 2026 look without a 2026-sized bill.
How to Get Blinds and Curtains Without Overspending
A few practical habits keep the total cost down without compromising on quality.
- Measure your own windows carefully using a metal tape measure and a step-by-step guide this alone can remove installer callout fees from your total.
- Order free fabric samples before committing, so you’re not paying to remake a blind or curtain because the colour looks different on screen.
- Prioritise blockout blinds in bedrooms (cheaper per window) and save curtains for living areas where the aesthetic impact matters most.
This is also the exact approach behind My Direct Blinds, which supplies made-to-measure roller blinds, blockout blinds, sheer curtains and blockout curtains directly to Australian homes at factory-direct pricing, with instant online quotes and free samples so you can plan your budget accurately.
Final Thoughts
Blinds and curtains pricing in 2026 comes down to product type, fabric, window size and installation method. Roller and venetian blinds remain the most affordable entry point, sheer and blockout curtains sit at the premium end for good reason, and blockout blinds offer a solid middle ground for bedrooms.
Whichever direction you go, working out your window count and getting instant, itemised online pricing rather than a vague verbal quote is the best way to plan a budget you can stick to. Browse blinds & curtains for every room shop now. My Direct Blinds offers made-to-measure roller blinds, plantation shutters, sheer curtains, and blockout curtains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do curtains and blinds cost?
On average, Australians pay between $60 and $900 per window in 2026, depending on the product. Roller blinds and Venetian blinds sit at the lower end, while sheer and blockout curtains sit higher due to fabric volume and hardware.
What blinds are in fashion for 2026?
Warm neutral tones like sand, taupe and stone lead the way in 2026, along with layered sheer-and-blockout combinations, textured linen-look fabrics, and motorised or app-controlled roller and blockout blinds.
How much should you budget for blinds?
For a standard three-bedroom home with around 10–12 windows, budget roughly $1,000 to $5,000 for a full-home refresh, depending on blind type and how many windows use premium fabrics or motorisation.
Is it cheaper to get blinds or curtains?
Blinds are generally cheaper than curtains per window, since they use less fabric and simpler hardware. Roller blinds and Venetian blinds are the most budget-friendly, while sheer and blockout curtains cost more but add softness and insulation.
How much do Venetian blinds cost?
Venetian blinds in PVC or aluminium typically range from $80 to $250 per window in 2026, making them one of the more affordable choices for bathrooms, kitchens and other high-moisture areas.
How much does it cost to get blinds fitted?
Professional installation typically adds $40 to $150 per window in labour, plus many installers charge a flat minimum callout fee. Ordering made-to-measure blinds designed for simple DIY fitting removes this cost from your budget.