If you have ever asked for a curtain quote and been shocked by the number, you are not alone. Custom curtains are one of the most common sources of "how much?!" moments in Sydney home renovation — a single wall can be quoted at $2,000 while a whole room of blinds costs less.
This guide breaks down what custom curtains actually cost in Sydney in 2026, why two quotes for the same room can differ by thousands, and the mistakes that turn a straightforward job into an expensive one.
Quick answer: Budget roughly AU$400–$1,000+ per window supplied and installed for a single track and one curtain layer. A full double-track wall with sheer plus blockout commonly runs $2,000+. The biggest price drivers are fabric, fullness, track type and motorisation — not the size of your window.
What's in this guide
Why curtain quotes vary so much
Two quotes for "curtains in the living room" can differ by 200%, and it is rarely about the window. It comes down to five things:
- Fabric — a basic polyester blockout can cost a fraction of a linen-blend sheer. Fabric is usually the largest line item.
- Fullness — good curtains use roughly 1.5–2× the track width in fabric. Cheap quotes often skimp here, and the curtains look flat.
- Track type — a basic rod versus a ceiling-mounted double track versus a motorised track.
- Layering — one layer or two (sheer plus blockout) roughly doubles the fabric and hardware.
- Making and installation — hand-finished curtains with weighted hems and proper pleating cost more to make and take longer to install.
Sydney prices by room and style (2026)
| Configuration | Typical Sydney price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single window, one layer, basic fabric | $400 – $700 | Track + curtain |
| Single window, sheer + blockout | $700 – $1,200 | Double track |
| Full wall, double track, premium fabric | $2,000 – $4,000+ | Floor-to-ceiling |
| Bedroom, blockout, made to measure | $500 – $900 | Per window |
| Motorised track (per window) | +$500 – $1,500 | On top of curtain cost |
| 3-bedroom apartment (full house) | $4,000 – $9,000 | Depends on layering |
These are realistic supplied-and-installed ranges. If a quote is dramatically below them, check the fullness, fabric weight and track quality — something has been cut.
Sheer vs blockout — do you need both?
This is the question we are asked most, and the answer depends on the room:
Sheer curtains
$300 – $600 per window
Filter light, soften glare, give daytime privacy while keeping the room bright. Great for living areas and west-facing rooms where you want light without the harshness. Note: sheers are often see-through at night when lights are on.
Blockout curtains
$400 – $900 per window
Darken the room, insulate against heat and cold, and block UV. Essential for bedrooms, nurseries and shift workers. Blockout fabric alone will not make a room pitch black if light leaks around the edges.
Our recommendation: layer them on a double track in living areas and main bedrooms. You get daytime privacy and light control from the sheer, and darkness and insulation from the blockout — and you can use whichever suits the time of day.
Apartment and concrete-ceiling installs
Sydney apartments throw up two specific challenges that catch out cheap or inexperienced installers:
- Concrete ceilings. A standard screw fixing will not hold. You need masonry anchors, or a batten fixed with the correct anchors. This is not a place to improvise — heavy curtains fall.
- No ceiling studs where you need them. In some apartments the fixing points simply are not where the track needs to go, so the installer has to plan around it.
- Strata approval. If the ceiling or window frame is common property, you may need owners-corporation approval before drilling.
This is exactly why we recommend having the supplier measure and install rather than ordering a DIY track online. The fixing method matters as much as the curtain.
Measuring: the mistakes that cost the most
The single most expensive curtain mistake is measuring yourself and ordering the wrong size. Unlike a blind, a curtain that is 50mm too short cannot be extended — it has to be remade.
- Track width: aim for 1.5–2× the window width so the curtains stack back clear of the glass and look full.
- Drop: measure from the track line, not the top of the window. Curtains should finish 10–20mm above the floor or just touch it.
- Ceiling vs wall mount: ceiling mount gives a cleaner, taller look and helps reduce light gaps; wall mount is easier but leaves a gap above.
- Cornices: if you have cornices, a ceiling-mounted track may need to sit forward of them, which affects the drop.
How to save without regretting it
- Spend on fabric and fullness, not on gadgets — good fabric is what you notice every day.
- Skip motorisation unless the window is hard to reach or the curtain is very heavy.
- Layer only where it matters — living areas and main bedrooms. Secondary rooms can use a single blockout layer.
- Do not pay in full before installation, and confirm the lead time in writing.
- Get the supplier to measure — it transfers the risk of a wrong size to them.
Our verdict
Custom curtains are worth it when you value how a room feels — the light, the softness, the finish. Budget $400–$1,000+ per window for a single layer, and expect a full double-track wall to run $2,000+. Spend your money on fabric and fullness, have the supplier measure, and layer sheer with blockout in the rooms you actually use most.
Frequently asked questions
How much do custom curtains cost per window in Sydney?
In 2026, expect roughly AU$400 to AU$1,000+ per window supplied and installed for a single track and one curtain layer. A full double-track wall with sheer and blockout layers commonly runs $2,000 or more. Fabric choice, fullness, track type and motorisation are the biggest price drivers.
Sheer or blockout curtains — do I need both?
For most living areas, yes. Sheer curtains filter light and give daytime privacy while keeping the room bright, while blockout curtains darken the room and insulate at night. Layering them on a double track gives you the best of both. If the room needs total darkness for sleep, blockout is essential — but blockout fabric alone does not guarantee a dark room if light leaks around the edges.
Can I install curtains in an apartment with concrete ceilings?
Yes. Most Sydney apartment ceilings are concrete or plasterboard over concrete, so a standard screw fixing will not hold. Installers use masonry anchors, or a ceiling batten fixed with the correct anchors. If the ceiling is common property, you may also need owners-corporation approval. Always have the seller measure and confirm the fixing method for your building.
How do I measure for floor-to-ceiling curtains?
Measure the track width (usually 1.5 to 2 times the window width for good fullness) and the drop from the track line to the floor. For a clean look, curtains should finish 10–20mm above the floor, or just touch it. Have the supplier measure rather than DIY-measuring, because small errors in drop or track length are the most common — and most costly — curtain mistakes.
Are motorised curtains worth it in Sydney?
Motorised tracks are worth it for hard-to-reach windows, large or heavy curtains, and homes with smart-home systems. They add roughly $500 to $1,500 per window over a manual track. They are a convenience and accessibility upgrade rather than a necessity — most homes are perfectly happy with a smooth manual track.
Want a fixed-price curtain quote for your home?
Book a free in-home measure. We'll bring fabric swatches, measure your windows properly, and give you a clear price — with no obligation.
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Sync Blinds Sydney is a family-owned window covering specialist based in Auburn, NSW. We measure, make, and install custom curtains, flyscreens, pergolas, Zipscreen, awnings, plantation shutters, and roller blinds across Greater Sydney. Call 0423 353 538 or view our curtain range.