The IKEA Hilja and Ritva curtains both offer a clean, simple look, but they differ fundamentally in material, light filtration, and function. Hilja curtains are made from a lightweight, semi-sheer polyester that lets in plenty of natural light, whereas Ritva curtains are made from a thick, textured cotton that is room-darkening and offers significant privacy.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the right IKEA curtains for your space.
IKEA Hilja Curtains
The Hilja curtains are one of IKEA’s most affordable and popular options for anyone wanting to add a soft, airy finish to their windows without blocking sunlight. Made from a thin polyester fabric, they filter light gently, reducing glare while maintaining a bright atmosphere. Their simple, modern look makes them a versatile choice for living rooms, dining areas, and home offices.
- What it is: A pair of lightweight, semi-sheer curtains designed primarily for light filtering and minimal privacy.
- Key features: Rod pocket and heading tape offer multiple hanging options (on a rod or with hooks). Allows daylight to come through. Made from recycled polyester.
- Price: About $15 - $25 per pair.
- Style: Minimalist, modern, and Scandinavian. Its sheerness creates a light and airy feel. Available in several neutral colors like white, beige, and light gray.
- Materials/Construction: 100% lightweight polyester. The fabric is smooth but can feel thin.
- Pros: Extremely affordable. Lets you enjoy natural light while reducing glare. Creates a breathable, open atmosphere. Versatile design fits many modern decor styles. Easy to hang.
- Cons: Provides very little privacy, especially at night when lights are on inside. The sheer polyester can sometimes look inexpensive. Prone to wrinkling out of the package.
The Hilja is ideal for spaces where privacy is not a concern and the main goal is to soften windows and diffuse bright sunlight affordably.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/hilja-curtains-1-pair-white-10430818/
IKEA Ritva Curtains
The Ritva curtains are a fan favorite at IKEA, known for their substantial feel and impressive value. Made from a thick, durable cotton, they have a subtle woven texture that looks and feels much more premium than their price suggests. Ritva provides excellent room-darkening capabilities and total privacy, making them a go-to choice for bedrooms and living rooms where light control is important.
- What it is: A pair of thick, heavy cotton curtains that effectively block light and provide complete privacy.
- Key features: Densely woven 100% cotton fabric. Can be hung using the hidden tabs or with curtain rings and hooks. Tie-backs are included.
- Price: Around $20 - $35 per pair.
- Style: Classic and timeless with a subtle texture. The heavy fabric drapes beautifully, adding a touch of sophistication that works in traditional, modern, and farmhouse interiors.
- Materials/Construction: Heavy-duty 100% cotton. The material has a satisfying weight and a visual texture similar to linen.
- Pros: Looks much more expensive than it is. Blocks most light effectively for a darker room. Provides excellent privacy. The heavy cotton drapes beautifully and adds texture to a room. Very durable construction.
- Cons: More expensive than sheer polyester options like Hilja. The cotton fabric wrinkles easily and often requires steaming or ironing. Heavier weight may require a sturdier curtain rod. Limited color selection, mainly focused on white and off-white.
The Ritva suits anyone needing functional room-darkening and privacy with a high-end look on a budget, especially in bedrooms or media rooms.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/ritva-curtains-with-tie-backs-1-pair-white-40111992/
Hilja vs. Ritva Curtains Comparison
Materials & Texture
The most obvious difference lies in the material. The Hilja is 100% thin, smooth polyester, which gives it a lightweight, flowy appearance. It feels soft but lacks the weight and texture of natural fibers. This makes it perfect for a sheer, floaty look that doesn't dominate a room.
In contrast, the Ritva is made of 100% heavy cotton with a distinct woven texture that gives it a slight linen-like appearance. This weight and texture allow it to drape beautifully and provide a more substantial, structured look. The Ritva feels far more luxurious and does a better job of adding visual warmth and depth to a space.
Light Control & Privacy
This is the deciding factor for most shoppers. Hilja curtains are semi-sheer. They are designed to filter light, not block it. During the day, they cut down on harsh glare while keeping the room bright. At night, with indoor lights on, silhouettes and movements will be clearly visible from the outside, offering minimal privacy.
The Ritva curtains are room-darkening. The thick cotton weave blocks approximately 85-95% of incoming light, making them an excellent choice for bedrooms, nurseries, or media rooms. They provide complete privacy, day or night. While not true blackout curtains, they are very effective at creating a dark, secluded environment.
Style & Versatility
Both curtains have a simple, timeless appeal that works with many decor styles. The Hilja's airy transparency lends itself best to minimalist, contemporary, and Scandinavian interiors. It acts as a subtle softening layer for windows without making a strong design statement.
The Ritva's rich texture and heavy drape give it more presence in a room. It suits a wider range of styles, from modern farmhouse and traditional to transitional and even layered in a modern space that needs some organic texture. They look particularly good when hung wide and high to create an impression of luxury and height.
Price & Value
When it comes to pure affordability, the Hilja is the clear winner, often costing under $25 for a pair. It's an unbeatable price for a quick and easy window update.
However, the Ritva offers incredible value for what you get. For just a bit more money, you get a significant upgrade in material, light-blocking performance, and overall quality. Many designers and decorators consider the Ritva one of IKEA’s best products for achieving a high-end look on a budget, making its long-term value arguably higher.
Which One Should You Choose?
While both are great affordable options from IKEA, they are designed for very different results.
Choose the Hilja if:
- Maximizing natural light is your top priority.
- You need curtains for a living room, dining room, or kitchen where privacy is not a concern.
- Your budget is extremely tight, and you just need something simple and modern.
- You want a lightweight, ethereal, and floaty look for your windows.
Choose the Ritva if:
- You need to block light for better sleep or to reduce screen glare.
- Complete privacy is essential, especially for a bedroom or ground-floor room.
- You want your curtains to have a heavy, high-quality feel with a rich texture.
- You value durability and a classic look that will stand the test of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between IKEA Hilja and Ritva?
The main difference is material and function. Hilja curtains are sheer polyester made for filtering light, while Ritva curtains are thick cotton made for darkening a room and providing privacy.
Which IKEA curtain is better for bedrooms?
Ritva curtains are overwhelmingly the better choice for bedrooms. Their room-darkening quality helps block out sunlight for better sleep, and they provide total privacy.
Are the IKEA Ritva curtains true blackout?
No, Ritva curtains are "room-darkening," not "blackout." They block most light very effectively, but a small amount of strong sunlight may still filter through the weave. For true blackout, you would need to add a blackout liner.
Can you see through IKEA Hilja curtains at night?
Yes. When it's dark outside and your lights are on indoors, shapes and movement are easily visible through Hilja curtains. They are not recommended for spaces where nighttime privacy is a must.
Do Ritva curtains have a linen look?
Yes, the texture of the woven cotton fabric gives Ritva curtains an appearance that is very similar to linen, which contributes to their expensive look and feel.
Can you layer Hilja and Ritva curtains?
Absolutely. Layering is a very popular and functional solution. You can use the Hilja curtains as the sheer inner layer for daytime light filtering and the Ritva curtains on an outer rod to draw closed at night for darkness and privacy.
Which curtain is easier to care for?
Both are machine washable. The polyester Hilja may dry quicker and be slightly more wrinkle-resistant. The heavy cotton Ritva is prone to heavy wrinkling and usually needs a good steam or ironing after washing to look its best.
What hanging methods can you use for these curtains?
Both styles are versatile. The Hilja has a tab heading that can slide directly onto a rod and a tape that can be used with curtain hooks. The Ritva has similar hidden tabs for a rod and also works with rings and hooks for a more elevated, pleated look.
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