Looking to add a personal touch to your camper? Let’s take a look at some top curtain ideas for RV owners.
If you spend anytime at all in an RV, you will know how important it is to make it feel like a home away from home. Making your camper feel cozy and welcoming is a large part of what RVing is all about.
Changing the curtains in your RV is a really simple way to add a nice personal touch to that space.
Jump To:
Types Of RV Curtains
Lets take a quick look at the types of curtains most used in an RV.
Black Out Curtains
Black curtains are great for total privacy, and will block 95% of light. These type curtains are good in any RV, but especially suited for bright sunny climates.
Black out curtains are really good at blocking out harsh sunlight and regulating the temperature inside your camper. A decent pair of black out curtains can be very effective at keeping the heat out when it’s hot and also at keeping it in when it’s cold.
Sheer Curtains
Sheer curtains give you a decent bit of privacy without cutting down on the light.
You might decide to go for a combination of sheer and fabric curtains.
There are a ton of patterns available for sheer curtains to give you some individuality.
I love this idea, it’s a great use of embroided sheer curtains against a solid color curtain. I’ve seen it a few times in camper windows.
Custom vs. Ready Made Curtains
Ok, so you can’t find a set of ready made curtains that you (a) like and (b) match the interior decor of your RV.
Here’s where a set of custom made curtains (if budget allows) would be the best choice.
Advantages of Custom RV Curtains:
You get the ability to choose curtain fabrics that will perfectly match the fabrics in your camper.
You can also opt for adding a blackout lining to any fabric you choose.
Options to add trim and fittings
Advantages of Ready Made RV Curtains:
Obviously way more cost effective than custom made curtains.
Lots of choice, you would be hard pushed not to find a pair of ready made curtains that you like.
A pair of ready made 24 inch curtains will be a decent fit for pretty much all RV windows.
Things To Remember When Ordering Custom Curtains
To get the right amount of pleats in a curtain, you need to make sure you get the right measurements.
Here’s a simple rule of thumb:
The total width of your curtains should be 1.5 times the width of the window
Example: Window width = 50 inches x 1.5 = 75 inches
75 inches divided by 2 will give you the width of each curtain – 37.5 inches.
This will give your curtains slightly less pleats, which will be perfect for a smaller RV window.
Curtain Ideas for RV Interiors
DIY Camper Curtains
If you’re the practical type, you can make DIY camper curtains from all kinds of fabric items.
Indian style fabrics and throws, tablecloths, old blankets, any kind muslin, just about any fabric that takes your fancy.
To make things easy, just go for the “no sew method”. Using some fusing hem tape you can create perfect sized curtains from your favorite fabric.
You can easily order boho fabric by the yard and either make your own or get them made to your specifications.
Installing RV Curtains
If you don’t already have a curtain rail or rod, you’ll need to install one.
Whatever you do, don’t screw curtain pole mounts or tracks to your RV walls. (I learnt this the hard way, don’t ask..). Unless you are 100% certain that you know what you are screwing into.
To avoid any dramas, use self adhesive mounts instead. These low profile mounts will do the job perfectly, and are ideal for RV use with lots of colors to choose from.
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to curtain poles, and you’ll easily find something that will match your color scheme. The same applies for tracks, if that’s the way you want to mount your curtains.
Curtain Maintenance Tips
One of the main problems with RV curtains that you may come across, especially in hot, humid climates is mold. As well as being pretty unsightly, there’s the smell that goes with it, and possible health issues.
High humidity causes damp, which can then lead to mold growth on your curtains.
Here are a few tips for preventing mold growth on your curtains:
Mold Resistant Materials
Synthetic curtains (polyester) are far less likely to absorb moisture than natural fabrics.
Good Ventilation
Make good use of any vents and fans in your RV, especially during cooking and showers.
Keep the windows open as much as possible for good airflow.
Using a good dehumidifier can really help.
Use Moisture Absorbers
Put some of those little silica gel bags in damp prone places.
DIY options are baking soda or uncooked rice in small breathable bags.
Regular Cleaning
Vacuuming the curtains removes dust, which traps moisture and causes mold.
Wipe any condensation off the windows as soon as possible.
A good set of curtains can really add some personality to your RV interior.
If your budget allows, custom made curtains will get you a perfect bespoke set, or you might opt for a set of ready mades, either way, it’s a worthwhile upgrade to any RV.
