The IKEA Aina and Ritva curtains are both popular choices, but they are fundamentally different in material, texture, and light filtration. Aina curtains are made from 100% linen, giving them an airy, textured, and slightly translucent quality, while Ritva curtains are a thick 100% cotton weave that offers more opacity and a smoother, heavier drape.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which of these classic IKEA curtains is the right fit for your home.
IKEA Aina Curtains
The Aina curtain is IKEA's go-to for anyone seeking the natural, textural beauty of pure linen. Its hallmark is a slightly irregular, slubby texture that creates a relaxed, earthy, and sophisticated look. Because linen is a breathable fabric, Aina curtains beautifully filter sunlight, casting a soft, warm glow without blocking light completely.
- What it is: A pair of light-filtering curtains made from 100% linen.
- Key features: Rod pocket tab top, comes in one universal size that can be hemmed easily with iron-on tape. Offers privacy while still allowing natural light through.
- Price: ~$70-$80 a pair
- Dimensions: 57" width x 98" length per panel. They are designed to be hemmed to a custom length.
- Materials/Construction: 100% linen. This natural fiber is known for its durability and characteristic texture.
- Style: Relaxed, textural, and natural. Perfect for modern organic, Scandinavian, coastal, farmhouse, or bohemian aesthetics.
- Pros: Beautiful, high-end linen texture at an affordable price point. Filters sunlight gently for a soft ambiance. Gets softer with each wash. The color has subtle, natural variations.
- Cons: Wrinkles very easily, which is part of linen's charm but may not suit all tastes. Prone to shrinking if washed in warm water. More expensive than its cotton counterparts. The sheerer fabric offers less privacy at night.
The Aina curtain is for those who prioritize fabric texture and an airy, light-filled atmosphere over complete privacy and light-blocking uniformity.
Shop this product: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/aina-curtains-1-pair-bleached-white-30284200/
IKEA Ritva Curtains
The Ritva curtain is one of IKEA's most enduring and versatile window treatments, praised for its heavy cotton fabric and exceptional value. Unlike Aina's near-sheer linen, Ritva's dense weave blocks a significant amount of light and provides substantial privacy. Their simple, classic design and a slightly textured but uniform finish make them a chameleon that fits into virtually any decor style.
- What it is: A pair of room-darkening (but not blackout) curtains made from a heavy-weight cotton.
- Key features: Rod pocket tab top like the Aina, easy to hem. Thick fabric effectively darkens rooms and reduces drafts.
- Price: ~$40-$50 a pair
- Dimensions: 57" width x 98" length per panel. They are extra long to allow for perfect hemming at a custom length.
- Materials/Construction: 100% sustainably sourced cotton with a satisfying weight.
- Style: Classic, versatile, and substantial. They can look tailored and formal or simple and casual, making them suitable for traditional, modern, and transitional spaces.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price. The thick cotton hangs beautifully and provides a high-end look. Offers significant light blocking and privacy. Highly praised for being easy to dye or customize.
- Cons: Can feel a bit plain without styling. The fabric can attract lint. They are room-darkening, not true blackout, so some light will still peek through. Limited color selection.
The Ritva curtain is a perfect match for those who need functional, stylish window treatments that offer privacy and light control on a budget.
Shop this product: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/ritva-curtains-1-pair-white-10070282/
Aina vs. Ritva Comparison
Materials & Texture
This is the most significant difference between the two products. The Aina curtains are 100% linen, giving them a distinctively natural, slubby, and varied texture. The material feels light, breathable, and has an organic quality. It wrinkles easily, contributing to a casual, lived-in aesthetic.
Conversely, the Ritva curtains are made from a heavy, densely woven cotton. The texture is much more uniform and smooth, with a subtle canvas-like feel. The weight of the cotton gives them a substantial presence and allows them to drape in heavy, clean folds. Ritva looks crisper and more structured than Aina's loose, flowing linen.
Light Filtration & Privacy
The Aina curtains are light-filtering. They are designed to soften direct sunlight, not block it, filling a room with a gentle, diffused glow. While they provide daytime privacy, silhouettes will be visible from the outside at night when interior lights are on. They're ideal for living rooms, kitchens, or dining spaces where maximizing natural light is desired.
The Ritva curtains offer a much higher level of light control and privacy. Though not a true blackout curtain, the thick cotton effectively darkens a room, making it suitable for bedrooms or media rooms. At night, they provide complete privacy, blocking the view from outside without issue.
Price & Value
Linen is a more expensive fiber to produce than cotton, which is directly reflected in the price. The Aina curtains are nearly double the price of the Ritva curtains. For that premium, you get the unique aesthetic and feel of pure linen.
The Ritva curtains deliver outstanding value. For a very accessible price point, you get a pair of beautifully weighted, substantial curtains that look far more expensive than they are. Many designers and homeowners praise them as one of the best value-for-money items at IKEA.
Care & Maintenance
Both curtains can be machine washed, but their materials require different care. Aina's linen fabric is prone to shrinking, so it should be washed in cold water and either hung to dry or tumbled dry on a very low setting. Steaming is the best way to reduce linen’s signature wrinkles.
Ritva’s cotton fabric is heartier. While there may be some initial shrinkage, it's generally more stable than linen. It handles a warm iron better for a crisp, pleated look. The white version can also be bleached carefully if needed, making maintenance a little simpler.
Which One Should You Choose?
An amazing trick that combines the best of both is a "layering" approach: layering Aina with Ritva will capture some of their combined qualities for an additional luxury drape that you're sure to enjoy. This clever technique not only elevates the overall look of the curtains but also provides an extra layer of privacy while letting soft sunlight pass through.
If only one option could suit your space, here's our guide on which curtain suits different needs:
Choose the Aina curtains if:
- You want your space to feel bright, airy, and full of natural light.
- You love a relaxed, textural, and natural aesthetic (think organic modern or bohemian).
- You appreciate the perfectly imperfect, wrinkly look of pure linen.
- You're using them in a living space where total privacy isn't the primary concern.
- Your budget allows for a higher-priced, more premium material.
Choose the Ritva curtains if:
- Privacy and light control are your top priorities, especially for bedrooms.
- Your budget is a guiding element in this decision.
- You prefer clean looking panels compared to the wrinkly appearance of linen.
- You appreciate value without compromising on style.
- You plan to customize your curtain panels.
- Your style leans toward classic, tailored looks compatible with many decor styles.
- You need curtains that hang beautifully and heavily.
- You're looking to layer them with more sheer ones underneath.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Aina and Ritva curtains?
The main difference is the material. Aina is made from 100% linen, making it light, airy, and textural. Ritva is heavy-weight 100% cotton, which makes it opaque, smooth, and much better at blocking light.
Which curtain blocks more light?
Ritva curtains block significantly more light than Aina. Due to its denser cotton weave, it will darken a room considerably, making it ideal for bedrooms. Aina, by contrast, is light-filtering and will not darken a room, it softens direct sunlight instead.
Do IKEA Aina curtains shrink?
Yes, linen is known to shrink a bit on the first wash, so make sure to wash them on a cold cycle with similar colors and hang them to dry to minimize shrinkage. Some people wash them before hemming to allow for initial shrinkage.
Do Ritva curtains shrink?
Ritva’s cotton is more pre-shrunk, but you might see some minor shrinking on the first wash. It's less drastic than linen shrinkage.
Can Aina curtains be ironed?
Yes, but embracing the wrinkle is often a good option with this curtain. Steaming them while they hang is a better option to soften out major creases while maintaining its natural texture.
How do you get the designer pleat look with Ritva curtains?
Most designers hack the Ritva curtains by adding pinch pleated hooks to the tab back of each panel. This creates structured, custom-looking pleats that elevate the whole look.
Can you hem IKEA curtains easily?
Yes! Both Aina and Ritva curtains are made extra long purposely so you can hem them to fit your windows perfectly. IKEA sells an iron-on hemming tape that makes this a no-sew project.
Which one is easier to maintain?
Ritva is generally easier to maintain because its cotton is tougher and easier to iron. It doesn’t wrinkle nearly as much as linen.
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