Best Curtains & Blinds for NZ Rental Properties

When you're furnishing a rental property, curtains and blinds need to work a little harder. They need to provide privacy, light control and warmth for tenants, while also being durable, easy to maintain and cost-effective to replace or refresh between tenancies.

What Should Landlords Look for in Curtains and Blinds?

Window furnishings see plenty of everyday wear in a rental, so choosing purely on appearance isn't always the best approach. Instead, look for a combination of:

• Durability
• Easy cleaning and maintenance
• Privacy
• Light control
• Insulation
• Neutral, versatile colours
• Simple operation
• Easy replacement
• A fit that suits the window without dragging on the floor
• Good value for money

Choosing practical window furnishings from the outset makes maintaining your rental easier over the long term.

1. Machine-Washable Curtains: An Easy-Care Choice

Cleaning is one of the biggest considerations for a rental property. Curtains can collect dust, marks and everyday grime over time, particularly in busy households, so being able to remove and wash them is a major advantage when preparing a property for new tenants.

Curtain Studio's Triple Weave Readymade Curtains are machine washable, making them particularly practical for rental properties. Triple weave fabric uses three layers of fabric, including a light-blocking yarn woven between the decorative layers, providing insulation and room darkening without needing a separate lining. Triple weave curtains are also naturally mould-resistant, which is useful in rooms where condensation and humidity are common.

2. Choose Curtains That Help Make Mould Easier to Manage

Curtains sit close to windows, where condensation and moisture can build up, particularly during colder months. Over time, damp conditions can contribute to mould or mildew on fabrics and around window frames.

For rental properties, curtains that are machine washable or easy to clean make ongoing maintenance much simpler. If small areas of mould or surface marks appear, cleaning the curtain according to its care instructions can help stop staining and build-up from becoming established.

Good ventilation matters too. Encouraging tenants to open curtains regularly, ventilate rooms and wipe condensation from windows can help reduce the damp conditions that encourage mould growth.

Ways to Help Prevent Mould Around Windows and Curtains

• Open curtains regularly to encourage airflow and allow sunlight into the room.
• Wipe condensation from windows rather than letting moisture sit against the glass, frame or curtain.
• Ventilate the property, particularly after showering, cooking or drying clothes indoors.
• Choose easy-care fabrics that can be cleaned according to their care instructions if marks or mould appear.
• Avoid curtains dragging on the floor, where they can collect dirt and moisture.
• Check behind curtains periodically, particularly during winter, so condensation or mould can be dealt with early.

3. Choose Readymades for Easy Replacement

Rental properties are one place where readymade curtains really come into their own. They come fully finished and ready to hang in standard sizes, making it easy to update one room or replace a curtain if required, and they're available at a range of price points.

Curtain Studio's Essentials range is designed around quality and affordability, making it a practical option for rental properties or homes being prepared for sale. For landlords managing multiple properties, using the same or similar neutral readymade curtains across properties can also help simplify future replacements.

4. Get the Curtain Length Right

Curtain length isn't just about how a room looks - in a rental property, it also affects how easy your curtains are to maintain. Curtains that are too long and drag along the floor can pick up dust, dirt, pet hair and moisture, creating more cleaning and potentially increasing wear along the bottom of the fabric.

For a lower-maintenance rental, choose a curtain drop that suits the window and sits neatly at floor level rather than leaving excess fabric pooling on the ground. Curtain Studio's readymade curtains are available in a range of standard drops, so you can select the size that best suits the window. For windows that don't suit standard readymade sizing, custom made curtains can be made to fit the space.

5. Consider Blockout Curtains for Bedrooms

A good night's sleep is something every tenant will appreciate. For bedrooms, blockout curtains give greater control over outside light while adding privacy, and are particularly useful in rooms affected by streetlights, neighboring properties or early morning sunlight.

When selecting blockout curtains for a rental, consider durability and care instructions alongside light control. Where possible, choose an easy-care or machine-washable option that can be refreshed between tenancies.

6. Add Triple Weave Linings to Existing Curtains

Not every rental property needs entirely new curtains. If the existing curtains are still in good condition but could benefit from additional insulation or room darkening, adding a separate lining can be a cost-effective upgrade.

Curtain Studio's Triple Weave Attachable Linings attach to compatible curtains to provide an extra layer of insulation and room darkening, and are also machine washable. This is particularly useful when refreshing an existing rental without replacing the entire window treatment.

7. Use Roller Blinds Where Curtains Aren't Practical

Curtains aren't necessarily the best solution for every window. For smaller windows or rooms where floor-length fabric isn't practical, roller blinds provide a clean, simple alternative.

A blockout roller blind provides privacy and light control, making it useful for bedrooms and other spaces where privacy is important. Sunscreen roller blinds can be considered where daytime privacy and glare control are the priority. Blinds can also be a useful option in kitchens and other areas where being able to wipe the window furnishing clean is an advantage. Always follow the specific care instructions for the blind fabric and components.

8. Stick to Neutral, Versatile Colours

Rental properties generally benefit from window furnishings that work with different tenants' furniture and decorating styles. Neutral colours such as white, cream, beige, taupe and grey are easy to coordinate and help create a clean, timeless interior.

This doesn't mean a rental needs to feel bland - texture can add interest while keeping the overall colour palette versatile. Choosing a consistent colour throughout the property can also make replacing individual curtains easier later.

9. Do Not Forget Warmth and Insulation

Good window furnishings don't just improve how a rental looks. Curtains create an additional barrier between the room and the window, helping improve comfort during colder weather.

Triple weave curtains are a particularly practical all-round option because their three-layer construction provides insulation without requiring a separate curtain lining. For landlords looking to improve comfort while keeping maintenance straightforward, this combination is a useful choice.

Readymade vs Custom Curtains for a Rental Property

For many rental properties, readymade curtains offer a strong balance of affordability, durability and convenience. They're particularly useful when:

• Windows are relatively standard sizes
• You are furnishing several rooms
• Easy replacement is important
• You are working within a set renovation budget
• You need curtains quickly

However, custom made curtains can be worth considering for unusually shaped or oversized windows, higher-end rental properties, or properties where you want a more tailored finish and exact drop. A custom fit can also help avoid curtains that are significantly too short or too long, reducing the chance of fabric dragging along the floor and picking up dirt or moisture.

Are Machine-Washable Curtains Worth It for Rental Properties?

For landlords, they can be a very practical investment. Machine-washable curtains make ongoing maintenance easier and allow curtains to be refreshed between tenancies rather than automatically replaced. Always follow the individual product's care instructions, as washing requirements can differ between curtain fabrics and constructions.

How Do I Measure a Rental Property for Readymade Curtains?

If your property already has curtain tracks installed, measure the width of the existing track and then measure from the top of the track to where you'd like the curtain to finish.

If you're installing a new track, measure the window frame and allow enough room on either side for the curtains to clear the window when open. Where space permits, allowing extra width beside the window and installing the track above the frame can improve coverage and the finished look.

Most importantly for a rental, check the finished drop before purchasing so the curtain suits the window and doesn't leave unnecessary fabric dragging on the floor.

See Curtain Studio's full guide to readymade curtains and blinds for step-by-step measuring instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for curtains and blinds in a rental property? In most cases the landlord provides and maintains the window furnishings as part of the property, while tenants are expected to keep them reasonably clean and report any damage. Check your specific tenancy agreement for details.

What is the best fabric for rental curtains?

Machine-washable triple weave fabric is one of the most practical choices, since it combines insulation, room darkening and mould resistance without needing a separate lining.

Can tenants wash rental curtains themselves?

Machine-washable curtains such as Curtain Studio's Triple Weave range can generally be washed at home following the care label, making it easy for tenants to keep them clean between professional refreshes.

Do readymade curtains fit all rental windows?

Readymade curtains are made in standard drops and widths, which suits most rental windows. For unusually sized or shaped windows, custom made curtains can be tailored to fit exactly.

Find Window Furnishings for Your Rental Property

Whether you're updating one rental or furnishing an entire investment property, Curtain Studio has readymade and custom curtains and blinds to suit different windows, budgets and requirements.