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Short answer
A child's room needs three things from its curtains: darkness for daytime naps and early bedtimes, fabric that washes easily, and nothing a child can pull or get caught in. The usual answer is a cheerful printed or plain polyester curtain with a blackout lining, on a ceiling track, with no loose cords, ending about 1 cm above the floor. Choose a print that can grow with the child, or keep the curtain plain and add pattern with cushions.
What a child's room needs
| Need | Why | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Darkness | Daytime naps and bedtimes while it is still light | A blackout lining, or a blackout fabric, on a ceiling track |
| Easy washing | Sticky hands, crayons and dust | Polyester or polyester-cotton that machine-washes cool |
| Safety | Children pull, climb and play with curtains | No loose cords, tie-backs out of reach, a secure track |
| Durability | Curtains get tugged and hidden behind | A firm weave and strong heading tape |
| Character | A room that feels like theirs | A print, a bright plain, or pattern on cushions instead |
Darkness for naps and bedtimes
Children often sleep while it is still light outside, so a dark room helps. A printed face fabric with a sewn-in blackout lining keeps the fun of the print and adds full darkness behind it. See Curtain Lining and Blackout Curtains.
Most light comes round the edges, not through the fabric. A ceiling track, a curtain that runs past the window on each side and a centre overlap make far more difference than the fabric alone.
Good to know
A blackout lining shows its plain back to the street, which keeps the outside of the house neat even with a bright print inside.
Safety first
- No loose cords. Loose cords and chains on blinds and curtains can be a strangulation risk for young children. Choose cordless, wand-operated or motorised systems, or fit cord tensioners and keep cords well out of reach.
- Tie-backs out of reach. Fix holdbacks high, or use none in a toddler's room.
- A secure track. Children pull curtains. Fix tracks firmly into the ceiling or wall, and choose a track rather than a pole that can be lifted off its brackets.
- No puddling. End curtains about 1 cm above the floor so there is nothing to trip on or tug down.
- Keep clear of heat. Keep curtains away from heaters, lamps and night lights.
Watch out
Never place a cot, bed or furniture a child can climb under a window with cords or chains within reach.
Prints that grow with the child
- Timeless prints: spots, stars, stripes and small geometrics suit a toddler and a ten-year-old. TOKIDOKI is a polka dot print in 35 colourways.
- Character and story prints: fun for younger children, but outgrown faster. Use them on cushions and bedding, which are cheaper to change than curtains.
- Colour: choose one colour from the print for the walls or a second, plain curtain, so the room does not feel busy.
- Plain and bright: a strong plain dimout or blackout in a favourite colour lasts longer than any print and pairs with any bedding.
In the JOTEX range, DREAMS is a 65% polyester, 35% cotton print in 40 colourways, and TOKIDOKI a 100% polyester polka dot print. Both can be lined with blackout for sleep.
Fabrics that wash well
Children's curtains get washed more than any other in the house. Polyester and polyester-cotton blends machine-wash cool on a gentle cycle and keep their size well; pure cotton can shrink. A lined curtain is safer dry-cleaned, or made with a detachable lining so the face fabric can be washed on its own. See How to Wash Curtains.
Headings for children's rooms
| Heading | In a child's room |
|---|---|
| S-fold on a ceiling track | Neat, dark at the top and hard to pull down; the best all-rounder |
| French pleat on a track | Tailored and dark at the top; good for older children's rooms |
| Eyelet on a pole | Easy to slide, but light shows above the pole and poles can be pulled loose |
Printed curtain fabrics
Printed collections in the JOTEX range, updated from the catalogue. Pair any of them with a blackout lining for naps.
Browse all collections →
Frequently asked questions
What are the best curtains for a nursery?
A washable polyester or polyester-cotton curtain with a blackout lining, on a ceiling track, with no loose cords and ending about 1 cm above the floor.
Do children need blackout curtains?
Most sleep better in a dark room, especially for daytime naps and early bedtimes in daylight. A blackout lining behind a printed or plain fabric is the usual answer.
Are curtains or blinds safer in a child's room?
Either can be safe if there are no loose cords. Choose cordless or motorised blinds, or curtains on a secure track, and keep any cords and tie-backs well out of reach.
What curtain pattern suits a child's room?
Prints that grow with the child, such as spots, stars, stripes and small geometrics. Put character prints on cushions and bedding, which are easier to change.
Can printed curtains be lined with blackout?
Yes. A sewn-in or detachable blackout lining sits behind the print, giving full darkness while the print shows in the room.
How long should curtains be in a child's room?
About 1 cm above the floor, so they hang straight with nothing to trip on or pull down. Avoid puddled curtains.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.