How often should you replace curtains or blinds?

One question our consultants hear frequently is “How long will my curtains or blinds last?”. The short answer is it depends.

Many things can contribute to curtains or blinds needing replacement including the type of fabric or material used, how much direct sunlight they receive, whether or not you have pets or kids in the house, and more.

Table of contents

• What is the average lifespan of curtains and blinds

• How do you know it’s time to replace your curtains and blinds

• What are other reasons to update your curtains or blinds

• How do you choose curtains and blinds that will last

What is the average lifespan of curtains and blinds?

While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how long your curtains and blinds will last, here is a general guide for the most common types of window furnishing:

• Roller blinds will last approximately 8 – 10 years

• Roman or honeycomb blinds will last approximately 5 – 7 years

• Venetian or vertical blinds will last approximately 12 – 18 years

• Sheer or linen curtains will last approximately 3-5 years

• Lined curtains or those with more durable fabrics will last approximately 10-15 years

How do you know it’s time to replace your curtains and blinds?

Since there’s no specific rule on when to replace your curtains or blinds, you’ll need to keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear. These will help you determine when it’s time to replace.

While a bit of sun damage or discolouration doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace your curtains or blinds right away, it’s something to keep an eye on –especially here in New Zealand. If you let sun damage go too far, your curtains or blinds may not function as they should and will be more prone to overall damage.

While we love our kids and pets, they do cause additional wear and tear on low-hanging curtains or blinds. From greasy food accidentally transferred from little fingers to rips or tears from a frustrated pup, you may need to replace curtains or blinds a bit sooner in homes with kids or pets.

This one is more specific to blinds, but brittle or broken chains not only limit the functionality of your blinds, it can also present a hazard if there are kids or pets around the house. If small pieces break off, they can be a choking hazard or damage vacuum cleaners.

Warped slats, rips or tears are all signs it’s time to replace your curtains or blinds. Not only is damage unsightly, it can also prevent your window furnishings from functioning properly.

What are other reasons to update your curtains or blinds?

We’ve covered off the functional reasons you may need to update your window furnishings, but there doesn’t always need to be a practical reason. Here are some other reasons you might want to consider updating your curtains or blinds.

They’re not giving you the functionality you need

Maybe you want to upgrade to blockout blinds for your bedroom for a better night’s sleep or add some sheers to the lounge to make the most of that afternoon sun. Your current window furnishings might just not be doing what you want them to.

They feel out of date and you want a fresh look

You can change to whole look of a room with the right window furnishings. So if the style of your home isn’t feeling quite right, maybe it’s time to consider new curtains or blinds.

How do you choose curtains and blinds that will last?

Since there are so many different factors in how long curtains and blinds will last, if you’re concerned about durability, book a free in-home consultation. Our expert consultants can advise on the best styles and materials to suit your home and help you choose the right products that will last for years to come.