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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Splash out on curtains for daughter's bedroom

36 replies

scorpiogirly · 21/04/2022 09:08

I'm in the process of decorating a bedroom for my daughter to move into. I've gone to town on it, had it plastered, I'm in the process of sanding the dark stain off the skirting and door frames, new carpet etc...

I've been looking to order everything I need for it. I cannot find a pair of curtains I like anywhere, that was until I stumbled upon a made to order site. The fabric is lovely, fairies mushrooms and other woodland bits.

Trouble is, when I entered the rough details for the quote, it came up as £172. I'm sure I underestimated the size too as I want to curtains to go to the floor.

Is it crazy to pay this much money for a pair of curtains? She will be 4 in July and has slept with me since birth so this will be her first bedroom.

OP posts:
scorpiogirly · 21/04/2022 09:10

This is the fabric in case anyone is interested

Splash out on curtains for daughter's bedroom
OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 21/04/2022 09:12

They sound lovely but...

A solid colour has a longer use. You can create a theme with smaller accessories... prints, lampshades, bedding etc. Shes only 4 for a really short time.

TulipsHere · 21/04/2022 09:12

They are lovely for a little girl but she will be little for a short time and may want something different in 18 months time. If you'd be ok with replacing them so soon and your budget allows then go for it but I personally wouldn't. Smile

carefullycourageous · 21/04/2022 09:13

It is your money. Do you have plenty to spare? If so do as you wish. If not, I would get plain curtains and save £120 for a rainy day.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 21/04/2022 09:13

I think she'll grow out them in a year or two so it would make more sense to get a solid colour that will last.

LittleMissLego · 21/04/2022 09:15

It depends if you can afford it. If it means you'll struggle to pay bills then dont, if its not really going to impact finances then do.

I'd think about it on a cost per use basis - if you think she'll grow out of them in a year then it will be £14 per month. If you plan to keep them for 5 years its about £2.80 per month. As a teenager she might want something more 'grown up' but thats still ages away.

My dc sleep best with curtains that are lined with a blackout fabric, especially in the summer months.

You don't really need permission from strangers on the Internet to spend your money.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 21/04/2022 09:15

Can you afford it? The curtains will have a limited shelf life in so two or three years she will probably want a change. Could you get some of the fabric and add it as a band to cheaper curtains to save money? They are very white, are they going to be dark enough?

toastofthetown · 21/04/2022 09:16

If you can afford it do what you want. Personally I think it’s excessive but maybe that’s because I find that fabric quite ugly. She might grow out of them quickly though, that’s a very young print and many children not much older might find it too infantile.

Maydaysoonenough · 21/04/2022 09:17

Make a pelmet and tie back /blind? Get plain curtains to match instead. A few cushions too maybe?

WimpoleHat · 21/04/2022 09:18

Curtains are expensive - that doesn’t sound too bad at all to me! I did similar with my DD when she was about 3 and was changing into a bigger room. She was so excited! Yes, when she got to 10, she wanted different curtains - but she’d had so
many years of pleasure out of something that she’d used (obviously) every day that it seemed like good value to me.

If you can afford them and will get pleasure out of them, I would do it.

CottonSock · 21/04/2022 09:20

Not unreasonable if you can afford it, but dunelm does lots of ready made curtains and similar colour styles. Maybe not fairies but good value.

EdwinaSharma · 21/04/2022 09:23

They are lovely but it completely depends on how much money you have rather than whether other people like them or not.

These hearts are nice and would probably still be OK when she’s eight.

www.dunelm.com/product/loveable-hearts-blackout-eyelet-curtains-1000063861?defaultSkuId=30180874

Or these bunnies
www.dunelm.com/product/fashion-bunnies-pink-blackout-eyelet-curtains-1000186784?defaultSkuId=30732095

ReadyToMoveIt · 21/04/2022 09:25

They are lovely, but as someone with both an 8 and 6 year old girl, they will probably want something different in a couple of years.
Id go with plain colours and create a theme with accessories.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 21/04/2022 09:27

That fabric would make lovely bunting.

RandomQuest · 21/04/2022 09:34

I think that print is quite young and within a a year or so your DD will probably want a change. I buy curtains/blinds to last and both my kids have off white in their rooms. I’ve let 4YO DD choose rainbow unicorn bed linen and wall stickers so when she does fancy a change it’ll be really easy to do.

SolasAnla · 21/04/2022 09:41

It depends on if you can afford to spend the money.

Plus the quality of the materials used.
Long good quality material blackout curtains can be expensive things like matching the patterns so they look right when pulled can make a difference.
I think the colours look mute enough to fade into the background of a busy room.
If you like pattern bed linens it may end up being a bit clashie.

If you go full lenght install the metal hoops as hold backs, it makes hovering (and washing) the floor much easier.

SpottyPantsNextDoor · 21/04/2022 10:08

Nope, get something plainer or less childish. My DD had v simple vintage Laura Ashley/Habitat (can’t remember which) curtains which have lasted until she’s 18!

jay55 · 21/04/2022 11:05

I had to have muppets curtains until I was 16. Don't do it.

katienana · 21/04/2022 11:13

I love the fabric. You could sell them on to recoup some of the cost. There are some good ideas here though using the fabric to make bunting, tie backs etc and getting some prints to tie in with the theme would all work.

ChairCareOh · 21/04/2022 11:15

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the user's request

RedWingBoots · 21/04/2022 11:20

If you can afford them the thing to check is does your DD like the pattern?

Put a selection of patterns and plain colours in front of her that are her favourite colours, then see what she chooses.

Kids do have their own preferences even at 4. I went my DD to Dunelm and returned with plain curtains in a bright colour.

TulipsHere · 21/04/2022 13:33

@jay55

I had to have muppets curtains until I was 16. Don't do it.
Strawberry shortcake for me and Thomas the tank for my brother Blush
JaninaDuszejko · 21/04/2022 13:40

Sounds like good value but agree the fabric is quite a 'young' pattern. Having said that it's a lot more subtle than Thomas the Tank Engine. I spent more than double that on my DDs curtains but went for a fabric that is not age specific.

AChocolateOrangeaday · 21/04/2022 13:43

@jay55 I'm 52 and would LOVE muppet curtains!

luxxlisbon · 21/04/2022 13:46

Depending on the size of your window and the length this sounds about standard.
However since she is already 4 I would get plain curtains that you can redecorate around. She could hate them in a few short years.