The IKEA Aina and Lejongap are two of the most popular 100% linen curtains available, but they differ significantly in texture, color options, price, and care requirements. Aina offers a smoother-feeling, denser linen weave in a wider range of colors, while Lejongap has a more rustic, open weave in muted, earthy tones at a lower price point.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right linen curtains from IKEA for your home.
IKEA Aina Curtains
The Aina curtains are IKEA's versatile and classic linen option, loved for their refined drape and broader color palette. Made from pure linen, they provide a slightly heavier, smoother fabric than the Lejongap, giving them a more structured and timeless look that works well in a variety of decor styles from traditional to modern.
- What it is: A pair of 100% linen curtains with a classic, slightly dense weave.
- Key features: Features a rod pocket and hidden tabs for multiple hanging options. Lets light through but provides privacy.
- Price: Around $79.99 for a pair (57"x98")
- Dimensions: Each panel measures 57" wide and comes in 98" or 118" lengths.
- Materials/Construction: 100% linen. The material is durable and creates elegant, soft folds when hung.
- Style: Classic, versatile, and slightly formal. The smoother texture and wider color selection make it adaptable for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas.
- Color Options: Available in white, light pink, dark gray, light blue, and beige. The white version is easily dyeable for DIY projects.
- Pros: More color options to match diverse decor. Denser weave provides a little more privacy and visual weight. Classic look that doesn't feel overly rustic. Great for DIY dye projects.
- Cons: More expensive than Lejongap. Care instructions recommend hanging to dry, not tumble drying, which is less convenient. Potential for up to 4% shrinkage after washing.
Aina curtains are for someone who wants the elegance of linen with more color choices and a slightly more polished look, and who is willing to pay a bit more for that versatility.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/aina-curtains-1-pair-white-10284196/
IKEA Lejongap Curtains
The Lejongap curtains offer a more raw, textural, and character-rich linen experience. Their looser, slightly coarser weave celebrates the natural properties of linen, resulting in an airy, light-filtering drape that is perfect for casual, boho, or rustic spaces. It is a more budget-friendly way to achieve an authentic 100% linen look.
- What it is: A pair of 100% linen curtains with a gauzy, open weave and a rustic texture.
- Key features: Allows generous light filtering while obscuring views from the outside. Also features a rod pocket and hidden tabs.
- Price: Around $59.99 for a pair (57"x98")
- Dimensions: Each panel measures 57" wide and typically comes in a 98" length.
- Materials/Construction: 100% linen with a visible, open-weave texture.
- Style: Casual, bohemian, rustic, and Scandinavian. Its relaxed and airy appearance is ideal for creating a laid-back, organic atmosphere.
- Color Options: Limited to earthy, neutral tones like bleached (a soft off-white/beige), light beige, and dark gray.
- Pros: More affordable price point for pure linen. Airy, textured look is perfect for relaxed aesthetics. Can be tumble dried on low, making care easier. Filters light beautifully without blocking it.
- Cons: Prone to heavy wrinkling (a feature for some, a flaw for others). Limited color selection. The open weave offers less privacy than Aina. The "bleached" option is more of a natural beige, which can surprise buyers expecting pure white.
Lejongap is designed for those who appreciate a relaxed, perfectly imperfect look and want an affordable, authentic linen curtain for a bright, airy space.
Shop this product: ikea.com/us/en/p/lejongap-curtains-1-pair-bleached/
Lejongap vs. Aina Comparison
Material & Texture
Both the Aina and Lejongap are made of 100% linen, but their textures are distinct. The Aina features a tighter, smoother weave that feels slightly heavier and drapes with more structure. This gives it a more refined and classic appearance.
The Lejongap has a visibly coarser, more open weave. This construction makes it feel lighter and more gauzy, enhancing its rustic, earthy character. If you run your hand over both, the Lejongap feels more quintessentially "linen" with its natural texture, while the Aina feels softer and more polished.
Light Filtering & Privacy
Both curtains are light-filtering, not blackout. They are designed to let in natural light while softening the direct glare of the sun. However, the difference in their weave affects privacy. The Lejongap, with its airy and more open knit, is more semi-sheer. During the day, it provides adequate privacy, but at night with lights on inside, silhouettes will be visible from the outside.
The Aina's denser weave offers slightly more privacy. While it is certainly not an opaque curtain, it does a better job of obscuring views from the outside, making it a better choice for bedrooms or street-facing windows where privacy is a greater concern.
Care & Maintenance
This is a key practical difference. Both curtains are machine washable, but their drying instructions vary. IKEA recommends that the Aina curtains be hung to dry, explicitly stating "Do not tumble dry." This is likely to prevent excessive shrinkage, which they warn can be up to 4%.
In contrast, the Lejongap curtains can be tumble dried on a low-temperature cycle, offering more convenience. All 100% linen curtains will wrinkle heavily. Being prepared to steam or iron them is essential unless you embrace a crumpled, casual look.
Color, Style & Versatility
Aina wins on versatility due to its wider color selection, which includes white, beige, blues, pinks, and grays. Its classic style fits seamlessly into nearly any decor, from traditional to minimalist contemporary. The smoother finish gives it a polished look that can easily be dressed up.
Lejongap's style is more specific. Its limited palette of earthy neutrals - bleached off-white, beige, and dark gray - and its rustic texture firmly place it within bohemian, Scandinavian, coastal, or Japandi aesthetics. It excels at creating a soft, organic, and informal feel that is harder to achieve with more formal curtains.
Price & Value
The Lejongap curtains are consistently more affordable, often priced around $20 cheaper per pair than the Aina. This makes Lejongap an excellent value proposition for anyone wanting the look of 100% linen on a stricter budget. Its value lies in its material and authenticity for the price.
The Aina's higher price tag gets you a wider color selection, a heavier linen fabric, and a more versatile style that can adapt to changing tastes. Its value is in its design flexibility and slightly more premium feel.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both curtain lines offer the beauty of natural linen, but they cater to different aesthetic preferences and practical needs.
Choose the Aina curtains if:
- You want more color options beyond muted neutrals.
- You prefer a smoother, more refined linen with a classic drape.
- Your home decor is traditional, transitional, or modern minimalist.
- You need slightly more privacy than a very sheer curtain can offer.
- You don't mind the "hang to dry" care instructions.
Choose the Lejongap curtains if:
- Your top priority is an affordable pair of 100% linen curtains.
- You love a rustic, textured, and airy look for your home.
- Your decor style is bohemian, Scandinavian, Japandi, or coastal.
- You aren't concerned about heavy wrinkling and love a "perfectly imperfect" aesthetic.
- You want the convenience of being able to tumble dry your curtains on low.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Aina and Lejongap curtains?
The main differences are texture, color, price, and care. Aina has a denser, smoother weave in more colors, is more expensive, and should be line-dried. Lejongap has a looser, more rustic texture in fewer colors, is more budget-friendly, and can be tumble-dried.
Which IKEA linen curtain is more sheer?
The Lejongap is more sheer due to its open-weave construction. It lets in slightly more light and offers less privacy, especially at night, compared to the denser Aina curtains.
Do IKEA Aina and Lejongap curtains wrinkle badly?
Yes, both are 100% linen and will wrinkle significantly after washing. This is a natural characteristic of linen fabric. To minimize wrinkles, remove them from the washer promptly and either hang to dry (Aina) or tumble dry on low (Lejongap) until just damp, then hang. Steaming or ironing is the most effective way to get a crisp, smooth appearance.
How much do linen curtains shrink after washing?
IKEA states that the Aina curtains have a maximum shrinkage of 4%. While not specified for Lejongap, you should expect some level of shrinkage with any 100% linen product. It's always recommended to wash and dry your curtains according to the care label before hemming them to their final length.
Are these curtains real linen?
Yes, both Aina and Lejongap are made from 100% flax linen. This sets them apart from cheaper polyester curtains designed to look like linen.
Can you dye IKEA linen curtains?
The Aina curtains, particularly in white, are very popular for DIY dye projects and take color well. Lejongap can also be dyed, but the natural "bleached" color has a beige undertone that will affect the final color result.
Which hanging options do they offer?
Both the Aina and Lejongap come with a combination rod pocket and heading tape, which allows for multiple hanging styles. You can thread the curtain rod through the pocket, use curtain rings with clips, or use hooks in the attached tabs for a pleated look with a track system.
Which one looks more high-end?
This is subjective, but many people feel the Aina curtains look more high-end due to their heavier weight, smoother drape, and classic finish. However, others argue the rich texture of the Lejongap gives an authentic, expensive "Belgian linen" look in more rustic or minimalist interiors.
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