Honestly, curtains are usually an afterthought. People spend months picking out a velvet sofa or the perfect mid-century coffee table, and then they realize—usually around 4:00 PM when the sun is blinding them—that they forgot about the windows. That’s usually when the search for bed and beyond curtains starts. But here is the thing: the window treatment landscape has changed drastically over the last few years, especially with the corporate shifts at major retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond.
It's a bit of a mess out there.
If you’ve tried to shop for curtains recently, you’ve probably noticed that "standard" sizes aren't really standard anymore. A 84-inch panel might actually be 83.5 inches, or it might shrink two inches the first time you try to steam out the wrinkles. Choosing the right fabric isn't just about color; it’s about how much heat stays in your room and whether your neighbors can see you watching TV at night.
The Reality of Shopping for Bed and Beyond Curtains Today
When most people talk about "Bed and Beyond," they are thinking of the massive blue-and-white stores that used to sit in every suburban strip mall. After the 2023 bankruptcy and the subsequent acquisition of the brand by Overstock, the way you buy curtains changed. It moved from a "touch and feel" experience to a digital-first hunt. This matters because curtains are tactile. You need to know the weight of the weave.
Light filtering vs. Blackout. It sounds simple, right? It isn't.
Many manufacturers use a "foam-backed" method for blackout curtains. This is great for blocking light but can sometimes create a stiff, plastic-like drape that refuses to hang naturally. If you’re looking for high-quality bed and beyond curtains, you have to look for "dimout" vs "blackout." A dimout curtain usually uses a high-density black yarn woven between two layers of colored fabric (the "triple weave" technique). This makes the curtain soft and washable, whereas foam-backed versions can peel or crack in the dryer if you aren't careful.
Why Linen Isn't Always Your Friend
We all love the look of breezy, coastal linen. It looks effortless. However, 100% linen is a nightmare for most people. It wrinkles if you look at it too hard. If you want that look without the constant steaming, look for linen blends—usually a mix of polyester and linen. This gives you the slubbed texture of natural fiber but adds enough "memory" to the fabric so it hangs straight after you pull it open in the morning.
The Grommet Trap and Other Mounting Mistakes
Most off-the-shelf curtains come with grommets—those metal rings punched through the top. They are easy. They slide well. But, honestly? They can look a bit cheap in a formal living room. If you want your home to look like an interior designer touched it, you should be looking at back-tab or rod-pocket curtains.
Better yet, look for curtains that offer "hidden tabs."
This allows the rod to pass through the back so the fabric gathers in clean, uniform folds. It hides the rod almost entirely. Speaking of rods, please stop hanging them right on top of the window frame. This is the biggest mistake people make. To make your ceilings look higher, you need to hang your bed and beyond curtains "high and wide." This means mounting the rod about 4 to 6 inches above the window frame and extending it 8 to 12 inches past the sides. It makes the window look massive and lets in more light when the curtains are open.
Understanding the "Width" Problem
A common frustration: you buy two panels, hang them up, and when you close them, they are stretched tight like a drum. It looks terrible. Curtains need "fullness." A good rule of thumb is that the combined width of your panels should be 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window. If your window is 40 inches wide, you need at least 80 to 100 inches of fabric.
Most standard panels are 50 inches wide. So, for a standard window, two panels are the bare minimum. For a wide picture window, you might actually need four.
Energy Efficiency and the Science of the Window
Windows are essentially holes in your insulation. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 30% of a home's heating energy is lost through windows. In the summer, about 76% of the sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters the home to become heat. This is where your choice of bed and beyond curtains becomes a financial decision, not just an aesthetic one.
Thermal curtains are different from standard blackout curtains. They often feature a layer of Mylar or a thick, felt-like lining specifically designed to trap air. This creates a dead-air space between the window and the room, acting as a secondary barrier. If you live in a drafty older home, skipping the sheer decorative curtains for something with a thermal rating can actually shave money off your electric bill.
Does Color Fade?
Yes. Fast. If your windows face south or west, the sun will eat your curtain color within two seasons. This is why many high-end curtains are lined with a white or off-white fabric. The lining takes the UV hit, protecting the expensive colored fabric facing the room. If you are buying unlined curtains for a sunny room, stick to lighter neutrals like oatmeal, light gray, or white. Dark blues and greens will show sun-bleaching much faster.
The Maintenance Myth: Can You Really Wash Them?
The tag says "Dry Clean Only." You’re tempted to throw them in the delicate cycle. Should you?
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Usually, the "Dry Clean Only" label on bed and beyond curtains is there because of the lining. The face fabric might be fine in water, but the inner lining might shrink at a different rate. If that happens, your curtains will "pucker" at the seams and never hang straight again. If you must wash them at home:
- Use cold water only.
- Never put them in the dryer.
- Hang them back up while they are slightly damp. The weight of the water helps pull out the wrinkles.
Beyond the Basics: Sound Dampening
If you live on a busy street, you aren't just fighting light; you’re fighting noise. Thin polyester curtains won't do anything for a honking horn. To actually dampen sound, you need mass. Heavy velvet or multiple layers of thick cotton are the way to go. Some specialized "acoustic" curtains are available, but generally, the heavier the curtain, the quieter the room.
Velvet has the added benefit of looking incredibly moody and expensive. It absorbs light instead of reflecting it, which gives colors a deep, saturated look that you just can't get with silk or faux-silk.
Practical Steps for Your Window Refresh
Before you click "buy" or head to the store, do these three things. First, measure from the floor to the spot where you will actually mount the rod, not just the window frame. Aim for the curtain to either "kiss" the floor or hover about a half-inch above it. "Puddling" curtains—where they pile up on the floor—look great in magazines but are magnets for dust and pet hair in real life.
Second, check the return policy. Because the "Bed Bath & Beyond" brand now operates under the Overstock umbrella (and has integrated with the Welcome Picks rewards system), return shipping for heavy curtains can sometimes be pricey if you just "don't like the color." Check if there are restocking fees.
Third, buy your hardware first. You can't accurately measure the drop of your bed and beyond curtains until the rod is physically on the wall. Rings add length. Hooks add length. A rod-pocket takes length away.
Invest in a decent steamer. A cheap $20 handheld steamer will save you hours of frustration. Even the most expensive curtains look like garbage if they have those rectangular fold lines from the packaging. Steam them while they are hanging. It’s a meditative process, and the transformation is the closest thing to "instant gratification" you’ll find in home decor. Look for weighted corners in the hem; if they don't have them, you can actually buy small lead weights to sew into the bottom corners to ensure they hang perfectly straight. It's an old tailor's trick that makes $40 curtains look like $400 custom drapes.