Camper RV Curtains: Tips & Ideas to Blend Style with Function

Life on wheels is a balancing act between wanderlust and minimalism: part adventure, part Tetris puzzle. Every inch of this pint-sized home must multitask, and custom curtains are no exception. They’re the fine veil between your rolling home and the wide open world beyond, softening hard edges, hushing campground chatter, blocking early light when you’d rather dream on, and framing the ever-changing view like a moving picture. The best camper RV curtains are light, sized to each small window, easy to draw and secure enough to stay put on the road, with blackout lining wherever you sleep. Whether you’re dressing a motorhome, a camper van or a travel trailer, consider this guide your GPS. Read on for our stylists’ favorite RV curtain ideas and camper curtain ideas, from mounting and hardware to fabric, sizing and the heading styles that work best on the move.

Set the Stage with the Right Mounting Position

Before getting to the curtains themselves, how and where they will be placed must be determined, because this little detail will influence many design decisions going ahead. The question is simple: Do you wish to mount the curtains inside the window frame or outside it? And here are some thoughts that’ll help you decide—

Inside mounting, or mounting the curtains within the window frame, requires that pre-fitted blinds be uninstalled. Unscrew any window valances, affix curtain tracks on the window frame, and then hang curtains on them. The curtains stay tucked within the window, keeping the window seat space neat and unfussy, and providing a practical solution for windows placed between wall-to-wall cabinetry.

Outside mounting lets you keep the pre-fitted blinds, if any. Here, curtains are mounted outside the window frame, providing the luxury to scale up their size, and extending the rod beyond the window so the curtains can stack off the pane. Not only does this maximize incoming light, but it also camouflages the small frame, making you forget for once that it’s a pocket-sized real estate.

Make Hardware Decisions with Careful Consideration

Where to mount is followed inevitably by how to mount. You need camper-specific hardware, designed for its modest scale, weight restrictions, and round-edged windows. Sewn doesn’t sell curtain hardware, so pick your track or rod first, then measure each window and its hardware separately with a steel tape before you order. Here are some of the options you can consider:

CAMPER VAN CURTAIN TRACKS: These are sleek, bendable tracks that can trace the windows’ shape with precision, so rounded edges are not a problem.

SASH RODS: Traditional curtain rods, just in a miniature version, sash rods are useful for outside-mounting your curtains, and can typically be installed without any professional aid. For curtains that must stay flat against a door or window while you drive, ask for a double rod pocket, top and bottom, at no extra charge, and run a sash rod (not included) through each pocket. Just email us with your order number.

And if there are limitations to drilling inside the caravan, or you just don’t wish to work with power tools, here are some alternatives to consider:

HEAVY DUTY COMMAND HOOKS WITH SASH RODS: You can avoid screwing curtain brackets into the RV wall by sticking command hooks instead. Make sure that they have sufficient load-bearing capacity and that the hook is broad enough to hold the sash rod securely.

TENSION RODS: If the RV windows are framed by perpendicular walls, you can place spring tension rods between them and hang your curtains on them.

VELCRO & SNAP-ON TAPES: Both these tapes come in two mutually attachable parts. The coarse part of the velcro tape is affixed to the wall, and the smoother part is stitched behind the curtain header. The same goes for the snap-on tape: the part with the snap-on carrier is attached to the wall, and the part with the snap-on buttons is stitched to the curtain. The curtains are installed by attaching the two parts of the tape. The downside of velcro and snap-on tapes is that the curtains cannot be gathered to the sides. You’ll have to detach them meticulously every time you want to clear the window, and then reattach when you want coverage. Hence, these are best reserved for rarely drawn curtains.

Pick Fabric & Lining as Per Light Control & Privacy Requirements

Light control requirements change at lightning speed for globe-trotters: bright and breezy on the move, and a dark cocoon for midday naps. Insulation is no different: today you’re shivering on a frosty mountaintop, tomorrow you’re roasting in a blazing desert. Such swiftly fleeting orders call for curtains with ‘superpowers’ - or, in drapery-speak, fabric and lining designed for peak performance.

So, even though you choose a cotton, linen, or poly blend for its lightweight and hardwearing traits, give the curtains a Superman’s cape in the form of a blackout lining. Any Sewn curtain can be made blackout: our lining is sewn in, comes in white, pale gray or pale beige, and significantly reduces light, dampens sound and adds a layer of insulation. Let’s shine a spotlight on this impressive feat:

• Room-Darkening: Blackout curtains can turn your camper into a little burrow, unaffected by fleeting city lights, stubborn neon signs, and even the punctual sunrise, letting you summon the day and the night at will.

• Thermal Insulation: The insulating properties of blackout curtains come into play when the weather is unfavorable, aiding your heating system by helping hold in warmth in winter, and keeping the interiors cooler in summer by keeping external heat out.

• Acoustics: Blackout curtains muffle sharp external sounds, so you can sleep undisturbed. Whether parked near the highway, in the thick of a jungle, or in an open ground with fellow campers, you can shut off the roar of moving traffic, chirping cicadas, and loud banters when you need a break. And the good news is that it’s a two-way street: your movie nights won’t disturb those parked near you either, adding an acoustic layer to your privacy.

Size Your RV Curtains Appropriately

Unlike perfect-fit blinds whose size is dictated by the window’s frame, curtains open the arena for the play of scale and proportions. You can go for dramatic excesses or trim down to the essentials. Most campers call for the latter to meet the demands of a modest footprint, making the following considerations pertinent when measuring your curtains’ length and width:

LENGTH: Although floor-length is standard practice in the drapery world, RVs are exceptions in their own right. This is where short panels and cafe curtains shine - allowing more floor space and minimizing tripping risks by relinquishing flaring trails, and maintaining a sleek profile befitting a compact window. But should you love the oomph of floor-grazing drapes, a wonderful opportunity awaits in the doorways and windows without built-ins underneath.

Short or long, always pay attention to the curtain’s drop point. Leave the curtains floating a tad above the countertop at the sink, where they can get soiled by water spills, and at high-traffic corners where you must keep them from coming under passing feet. And let the curtains graze the surface in a sleeping loft, where even a sliver of light must not be allowed to pass from under the seams.

Measure each window separately, as camper windows rarely match, starting from the point our Curtain Measurement Guide gives for your heading. Every panel has a 2-inch hem. Our sheers have a chain weight along the hem, which also helps them hang straight while you’re on the move.

That’s the curtain length advice for RV camper curtains in a nutshell, but if you’d like to dig deeper before you decide, refer to our blog on 'How Long Should My Curtains Be?'.

WIDTH: Small panes look best dressed in low-body panels that look right for their size. Order the finished panel width, not the window width: grommet, rod pocket, back tab, flat panel and pencil pleat curtains look best at 2x the rod length, and you can go down to 1.5x to save space; tab tops and tie tops are made at 1.5x (sheers up to 2x); and pinch pleats come with a generous 2.5–3x fullness sewn in. That way they gather in folds of ample depth, neither too skimpy nor too dense. For finer points on how to measure for your curtains, do visit our Drapery Measurement Guide.

Balance Style and Function in the Choice of the Heading Style

The heading style refers to the design of the curtain’s header - a detail that impacts how it drapes and operates. Sewn offers over a dozen heading styles, each with a unique combination of function and appeal. Visit our Drapery Headings Style Guide if you wish to explore these in detail. As far as RV camper curtains are concerned, these are the points to consider:

• Decor style: Headers are an immediate giveaway of your aesthetic. A ruffled rod pocket top brings instant cottage charm, a clean-lined flat panel top leans minimalist, and a tie top panel lends laid-back ease. Choose a heading style that will shape the look and feel you’re after.

• Operation: Headers with fabric tabs and pockets keep a firm grip on the rod, enabling the curtains to stay put on the pane even when you’re pacing on the road. Hence, they are ideal for sheer panels that you wish to leave permanently drawn for privacy. Whereas, headers with rings/pins/grommets are perfect for non-sheer and blackout panels that you will want to operate often, based on light control and privacy requirements.

• Light control: Opt for headers that offer full coverage in your sleeping area so that blackout goals are not compromised. Avoid styles with grommets and fabric tabs here, that will inevitably let some light in through their holes and loops, especially if you’re inside-mounting the curtains.

Use Palette & Pattern Strategically for Camper RV Curtains

While color and pattern are essentially design style hallmarks and fall in the realm of personal taste, the small footprint of the RV calls for thoughtful considerations. Here, they are not mere aesthetic elements, but also strategic design partners. Hence, there are a few points to bear in mind:

• Palette: Light colors tend to filter light while dark colors block it. So, choose the palette wisely, using color as an additional layer of control, whether you want to block all light in your sleeping area or let more of it into your campervan kitchen. Avoid stark contrast with the wall to de-emphasize the smallness of the window as well as the space. Instead, you can match the curtains to the wall as closely as possible, blurring the silhouettes of the windows and creating a visual continuity that binds the entire camper into one large space rather than breaking it up into several small units.

• Pattern: Choosing vertically or horizontally oriented patterns like stripes, chevrons, and climbing vines helps to optically elongate or widen the space. Take advantage of their illusory power to make your tiny home ‘feel’ large. And, avoid large-sized and busy patterns that will make the camper feel even smaller than it is by cluttering it visually.

• Texture: If you wish to avoid printed curtains altogether to keep the space visually light, but also would not want to settle for plain curtains, think textured curtains. They sport just enough detail to save the space from feeling too flat.

HAUL 'EM HOME: Striped Curtains | Plain/ Textured Curtains

Camper RV Curtains: FAQs

What are the best curtains for an RV?

Light, hardwearing curtains sized to each window, in a cotton, linen or poly blend. Add blackout lining in the sleeping area, and choose a heading that suits how often you’ll draw them: rings or grommets for daily use, rod pockets or tabs for curtains that mostly stay put.

How do you hang curtains in an RV without drilling?

Use spring tension rods between two facing walls, heavy-duty adhesive hooks holding a slim sash rod, or Velcro or snap tape for curtains you rarely open. Check the weight rating of anything adhesive before you hang lined curtains.

How do you stop RV curtains from swinging while driving?

Hold them top and bottom. A double rod pocket curtain on two sash rods stays flat against a window or door, and tiebacks or a small strap keep open curtains tidy. Rod pocket and tab headings also grip the rod better than rings.

Should camper curtains be blackout?

In the sleeping area, yes. Blackout lining blocks campground lights and early sunrise and adds a little insulation. In the kitchen or lounge, a lighter fabric or privacy lining keeps the camper bright during the day.

How long should camper curtains be?

Most camper windows suit short panels that end at the sill or just above a counter, which keeps them clear of spills and passing feet. Save longer curtains for doors and walls with no built-ins below.

Can you replace RV blinds with curtains?

Yes. Unscrew the blinds and any valance, then fit a curtain track inside the frame. Or keep the blinds and mount curtains outside the frame, which lets them stack clear of the glass when open.

What curtain heading works best in a camper?

It depends on the window. Grommets and flat panels on rings slide easily for curtains you open every day, while rod pocket and tab tops stay put on the road. In the sleeping area, avoid grommets and tabs if you want full darkness, since light slips through the gaps.

Shop RV Camper Curtains at Sewn

Curtains in an RV camper may be small, but their role isn’t. From ensuring a draft-free bed on cold nights to closing off the hubbub of the world for some precious me-time, well-curated curtains assist you silently in your adventure trips. And, they don’t just fulfill a function; they also set the mood and keep the spirit of home alive while on the move. So, make your design decisions thoughtfully and get your camper equipped with curtains that are as ready for the journey as you are. And now it’s finally time to explore Sewn’s collection, and find that elegant window drapery that travels light, works with might, and makes every mile feel a little more like home. Every Sewn curtain is made to measure in our studios in India or the UK, in your choice of more than 2,500 fabrics. If your camper windows have you puzzled, our designers are just an email away at hi@sewndrapesandshades.com.

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