Dressing windows in a rental property comes with a specific set of challenges that homeowners simply don't face. You can't make permanent changes. You need to work with whatever curtain rods — if any — the landlord has left behind. You're often dealing with odd window sizes, neutral or builder-beige walls, and a Kmart Bedroom Makeover Under 0">budget that needs to stretch across multiple rooms. And at the end of the tenancy, everything needs to come down cleanly without leaving a trace.

Big W has become one of the most practical destinations for rental-friendly window treatments in Australia. Their curtain and blind range in 2026 hits a sweet spot between affordability, decent quality, and styles that look genuinely intentional rather than last-resort. This guide covers the best Big W curtain ideas for rental properties, all under $40, with styling tips, hanging hacks, and advice for making your rental feel like home without risking your bond.

Why Curtains Matter More Than You Think in a Rental

Most renters underestimate what curtains do for a space. Beyond privacy and light control — which are genuinely important — curtains are one of the most powerful visual tools in a room. They draw the eye upward, making ceilings feel higher. They frame windows in a way that makes them look intentional and designed. And a well-chosen curtain can tie together a room that would otherwise feel bare and generic.

In a rental, where you can't paint, install built-ins, or make structural changes, window treatments are one of the few things you can add that make a significant visible difference. Getting them right — and getting them affordably — is worth the effort.

Understanding Rental Window Realities

Before heading to Big W, take stock of what you're actually working with. Rental windows vary enormously, and your curtain strategy depends on the starting conditions.

Pre-existing curtain rods: Many rentals come with basic curtain rods already installed. If yours do, measure the rod diameter before buying curtains — most Big W curtains use rod pocket or eyelet headers, and eyelet sizes vary.

No hardware at all: If there's nothing on the walls, you have two options — ask the landlord to install a rod (some will, especially if you offer to source it), or use tension rods for lightweight curtains in windows that sit within a frame.

Venetian blinds already in place: Many rentals have existing blinds that function but are ugly. In this case, you can layer a sheer curtain in front for softness and style without removing or replacing the blind.

Odd or non-standard sizes: Big W curtains come in a range of drop lengths — typically 160cm, 180cm, 213cm, 223cm, and 250cm — but window widths vary. Each curtain panel is designed to be used as one of a pair, so always buy two panels per window.

1. Sheer White or Linen-Look Curtains — Around $15–$25 per pair

Big W's sheer curtain range is one of the standout options for renters. These lightweight, semi-transparent curtains diffuse light beautifully, add softness to any room, and work in almost any style of rental — from a dated 1970s brick unit to a modern apartment.

Best styles available:

The classic white sheer with a rod pocket header is the most rental-friendly option — simple to hang, simple to remove, and genuinely flattering in any room with natural light. There are also linen-look textured sheers that have a slightly warmer, more organic tone than plain white.

Why they work for rentals: Sheers are lightweight enough to work on tension rods — no drilling required. They layer beautifully over existing venetian or roller blinds, adding softness without obstructing the functional blind underneath. They make rooms look larger and lighter, which is particularly helpful in smaller rental spaces.

Styling tip: For a high-end look on a sheer budget, hang the rod or tension rod as high as possible — ideally at ceiling height or close to it — and let the sheers drop all the way to the floor. This elongates the wall and makes the room look significantly more expensive than it is.

2. Blockout Curtains in Neutral Tones — Around $25–$39 per pair

If you're a light sleeper, work night shifts, or simply have a bedroom window that faces a street lamp, blockout curtains are non-negotiable. Big W sells blockout curtains in a range of neutral tones — white, cream, grey, navy, and occasionally sage or dusty pink — at prices that make them accessible even for a full apartment.

What to look for:

The best blockout curtains in the Big W range use a triple-weave or bonded-back construction that blocks light without adding enormous weight. Check the label — true blockout should state 100% light blocking or similar. Some "room darkening" options in the same price range block around 85–95% of light, which is sufficient for most people.

Why they work for rentals: A set of blockout curtains in a neutral tone works in any rental bedroom regardless of the existing decor. White or cream reads as clean and fresh. Charcoal or slate grey is versatile and modern. Both are easy to clean and hold up through multiple moves.

Styling tip: In a rental bedroom with dated or mismatched furniture, a pair of floor-length blockout curtains in a solid neutral is one of the fastest ways to make the room look pulled together. Add a plant on the windowsill and suddenly the space looks styled, not temporary.

3. Tab Top Curtains for Exposed Rods — Around $20–$35 per pair

Many rental properties have older-style curtain rods with decorative finials — the kind that look a bit dated but are solidly installed and not going anywhere. Tab top curtains are designed for exactly this situation. Instead of threading a rod through a pocket or eyelet, fabric loops sit visible on top of the rod, which actually makes exposed rods look more intentional.

Best for: Living areas with older-style curtain fixtures, rooms where the rod is part of the visual rather than hidden.

Styling tip: Tab top curtains in a linen or cotton-look fabric in a warm neutral (oatmeal, taupe, natural) have a classic, timeless look that works with almost any rental interior. They read as more intentional and considered than a plain rod pocket curtain on the same type of rod.

4. Tension Rod Hacks for No-Drill Hanging — Under $10 for the rod

If your rental has zero curtain hardware and you don't want to drill, tension rods are the answer. These spring-loaded rods wedge inside the window frame using pressure alone — no screws, no holes, no bond risk.

What they work for: Sheers and lightweight curtains only. Tension rods won't support heavy blockout curtains reliably.

Big W tension rod options: Big W typically stocks tension rods in the home organisation section, usually under $10. They come in white, silver, and sometimes black, and can be adjusted to fit most standard window widths.

Styling with tension rods:

For a kitchen window — use a sheer white or linen-look curtain on a tension rod for privacy without blocking light. For a bathroom — a tension rod inside the shower alcove with a Big W shower curtain also doubles as a privacy curtain for a window if the bathroom is awkwardly exposed. For a bedroom — two or three layered sheers on closely-placed tension rods create a dreamy, soft window treatment without a single hole in the wall.

5. Eyelet Curtains: The Modern Rental Favourite — Around $25–$40 per pair

Eyelet curtains — those with metal-ringed holes punched along the top — are one of the most popular styles at Big W for good reason. They hang in neat, even folds, they're easy to open and close, they look contemporary, and they work on any standard rod. In rental situations where the existing rod is a basic silver or black tube, eyelet curtains make it look purposeful.

Colour strategy for renters: When in doubt, go lighter than you think you need to. White, cream, and pale grey eyelet curtains reflect light and keep spaces feeling open — important in smaller rental rooms that may not have ideal natural light. If you want colour, a dusty blue, sage, or warm terracotta works well as an accent in a living area without being overwhelming.

Styling tip: Always hang eyelet curtains so each panel is slightly wider than half the window. This allows them to close fully without stretching taut, and when open, they pool in generous folds on either side of the window rather than pulling flat.

6. Living Room Curtain Layering on a Budget

The living room is usually the most visible space in a rental and the one that most needs help looking like a home. A simple layering approach — sheer + blockout or sheer + heavier panel — creates a professionally styled look for under $60 total if you source both from Big W.

The layered approach:

Use a ceiling-height (or as close as possible) tension rod or existing rod for a sheer panel that runs the full width of the window. Add a second, side-hung panel or a heavier curtain on a rod slightly in front. When you want light: sheer only. When you want privacy: close both. The visual layering adds depth and dimension to a flat wall.

For a living room with no existing hardware, use two tension rods at different depths (inside and just outside the window frame) to achieve this layered look without drilling a single hole.

7. Measuring and Buying the Right Size

Getting curtains that fit well is the difference between a room that looks styled and one that looks like you just moved in. Here's the practical guide for rental windows:

Width: Each curtain panel should be 1.5 to 2 times the width of one half of the window. If your window is 120cm wide, each panel should be 90–120cm wide. This allows proper fullness when closed.

Drop/Length: Always go longer rather than shorter. Floor-length curtains look intentional; curtains that hover awkwardly above the floor look like a mistake. For a floating hem, aim for the curtain to skim the floor. For a pooled look, add 5–10cm extra.

Big W sizing note: Check the listed finished dimensions on the packaging, not just the rod pocket size. Width is often listed as single panel width, so double it to get the full covered width.

Caring for Big W Curtains in a Rental Context

Most Big W curtains are machine washable — always check the label, but generally a cold gentle cycle works well. Wash before hanging if possible: it removes any manufacturing residue and pre-shrinks the fabric so you know the real drop length before you commit to a hem.

When moving out, take curtains down carefully, fold them, and store them for your next place. Most rental curtains are freestanding investments that move with you — unlike painted walls or fitted shelves. Across multiple rentals, a good set of Big W curtains can last years and pay for themselves many times over.

Complete Room Budgets Under $40

Bedroom (one window): Blockout curtain pair in white or grey, 213cm drop — approximately $35. Hang on existing rod or request landlord install one. Total: $35.

Living room (two windows): Two pairs of sheer curtains in linen-look, 213cm drop — approximately $20 per pair, $40 total. Hang on tension rods inside frames. Total: $40.

Kitchen (one small window): Single sheer panel or cafe-style curtain on tension rod — approximately $12–$15. Total: $15.

Bathroom (privacy window): Small sheer or frosted-look curtain on tension rod — approximately $12. Total: $12.

A fully curtained two-bedroom rental can be achieved for well under $120 using Big W — often significantly less if you catch sale periods or clearance pricing.

Final Thoughts

Curtains in a rental don't have to be an afterthought or a compromise. With a thoughtful approach, the right measurements, and a few smart picks from Big W's under-$40 range, you can make every room in your rental feel warmer, more private, and genuinely like home — without a single hole in the wall more than necessary, and without spending money that should be going toward your next bond.

The key is treating curtains as a considered choice rather than a necessity. Buy the right length, hang them high, choose a cohesive neutral palette, and watch what happens to a room that was just bare walls and builder carpet ten minutes ago.

Prices are approximate and based on Big W Australia availability in 2026. Check the Big W website or app for current stock and pricing in your area.