Velvet Curtains in Dubai, Luxury, Blackout & Custom-Made Designs

Sometimes I feel Dubai is shining all the time, even when it is night. We have tall towers, glass everywhere, lights on Sheikh Zayed Road, traffic, noise, and then we come home and we just want the room to feel calm. For me this feeling really started when I first touched velvet curtains in Dubai, they were soft, heavy and kind of quiet, like they were holding the light and the sound in their hands.

I am not an interior designer, I am just someone who lives in this city and walks in malls, sits in friends’ homes in Marina and JVC, visits offices in Business Bay and JLT, and I keep noticing how fabric changes the mood. In some apartments the windows look like cinema screens, in some villas the curtains are like clothes for the house. When I started to watch velvet more carefully, I saw it in bedrooms, in hotel lobbies, in clinics, even in small home offices. So this small story is just my simple way of talking about velvet, how it feels, where it helps, and what things people in UAE usually think about.

You will not see big technical words here, just normal life talk about color, heat, sleep, privacy, and that little bit of luxury that people in Dubai like when they work so hard the whole week.

The first touch of velvet in Dubai homes

Seeing velvet in a Dubai apartment for the first time

I still remember one evening in Dubai Marina when I visited a friend in a high floor apartment. The view of the water and the towers was perfect, but the sun was coming straight into the living room, and the AC was working non stop. She had just changed the curtains, and when I walked in, the whole space felt softer. The fabric was thick but not boring, and when she closed the curtains, the room suddenly looked like some small private cinema. That day I understood why people like curtains in Dubai that feel a little bit special, especially when they work hard and want the house to feel like a reward.

How velvet changes the daylight in the room

Normal fabric sometimes lets the sun in like a bright line around the edges, but velvet behaves in a different way. It catches the light and drinks it slowly, so the room becomes softer, not completely dark if you do not want it. On cloudy days, which are rare here, the fabric keeps the space cozy. On harsh summer days, when the temperature is very high, that thick layer helps you feel that the glass is not attacking you. It is like putting sunglasses on the windows but in a very gentle style.

The quiet feeling that heavy curtains can bring

In many Dubai buildings you can hear a little traffic sound, some horns, a distant metro, sometimes music from outside. Thick fabric cannot kill noise completely, but it can calm it. When the curtain is heavy, it absorbs some echo from the room and some sound from outside. You start to hear your own voice more clearly, and this is very nice in a small flat where the walls may feel close. Many people tell me they sleep better when the room feels visually and sound wise a bit quieter.

Cleaning and care in a dusty city

We all know, Dubai and all UAE get dust, sand storms, little fine powder on our window tracks. Velvet is not a low maintenance miracle, it also needs care. I see some families using a small vacuum with a soft brush every week, just to pick dust from the surface. Some send the curtains for dry cleaning once in a while, maybe once a year or when they feel the fabric looks tired. The good thing is, when the fabric is good quality, it keeps the rich look even after many months, so the home still feels neat when guests arrive suddenly from Abu Dhabi or abroad.

Bedrooms, majlis and quiet corners in UAE homes

Making the bedroom feel like a small hotel

Dubai people love hotel vibes, we all know that. Many bedrooms in Downtown, JBR or Palm Jumeirah take inspiration from nice hotels, with soft rugs and padded headboards. In that kind of room, it is very natural to see luxury velvet curtains hanging from ceiling to floor, almost touching the ground. They frame the bed and the window, they make the first morning light come slowly, and they give that feeling that you are on vacation even when you have work the next day.

Late sleepers and early prayers in the same room

Sometimes in one bedroom there are two different routines. One person wakes up very early for Fajr, the other one wants to sleep a little more. Thick velvet with a proper lining helps both. When one side opens the curtain a bit, the light does not explode into the room so the other person can still rest. Parents with small babies in JVC or Mirdif also talk about this, because when the baby finally sleeps during the day, they really want the room to stay calm and slightly dark for as long as possible.

Small kids, screens and afternoon naps

In kids rooms, there is another problem, too much screen time. When the sun hits the TV or tablet, children cannot see properly and they increase brightness. A curtain that is a bit thicker helps to control glare, so their eyes do not get so tired. Also, when nap time comes after school, the darker room tells the body that it is okay to rest. Parents who have tried this in villas in Arabian Ranches or Jumeirah Park say that the children settle faster when the room is already in a softer mood.

Guest rooms and majlis spaces for visitors

Many families in the UAE keep one room more formal for guests or elders, sometimes called the majlis. In these spaces, people like a feeling of respect and comfort together. Here velvet can be very nice, especially in traditional earth colors or deep jewel tones. When guests visit from Sharjah, Ajman or even from another country, they sit in that room, drink tea and talk. Thick curtains give them privacy from the street and neighbors, and at night they make the room ready for someone to sleep there comfortably.

Offices, clinics and working spaces across Dubai

Boardrooms and client meeting rooms

In office towers in Business Bay, DIFC or along Sheikh Zayed Road, glass is everywhere. Meeting rooms often feel too bright or too open. Here a heavy curtain system can be very useful. During a presentation, staff can close the curtains to see the projector clearly. During private discussions, the windows can be covered so people outside do not feel like they are watching a show inside. The room becomes more focused, and clients actually feel safer to talk about numbers and plans.

Home offices inside apartments and villas

After 2020 many people in Dubai started working from home. A lot of bedrooms or spare rooms turned into home offices. One problem is that laptops and screens do not like glare from strong sunlight. When someone sits for Zoom calls in a JLT flat or a Jumeirah Village villa, they need a background that does not look messy and a light that does not wash their face completely. Thick curtains help to build a neutral background and keep the light balanced. You can open them a little on one side for natural light and keep the rest closed so your face still looks clear on camera.

Clinics, salons and wellness centers

In Dubai there are so many dermatology clinics, dental centers, beauty salons and small spas. These places need a mix of privacy and soft light, so the clients feel calm and safe. Some of them use simple blinds, but many high end ones in Jumeirah, City Walk or Al Wasl prefer curtains that feel richer to the touch. They want the patient to lie down in a room that does not feel like a cold hospital, but more like a warm spa. Heavy fabric around windows and sometimes around treatment beds helps to create this feeling.

Noise and temperature control during work hours

In open plan offices the noise sometimes travels easily, phones ringing, people talking, printers, doors. Thick curtains on glass partitions and walls can slow this sound down a little. They also help with temperature differences, because sometimes one side of the office feels hot from the sun and the other side feels cold from the AC. Controlling light also helps control perceived temperature, people feel less tired when the room is not too bright or too harsh.

Colors, linings and design choices people make

Deep colors that feel rich and calm

When I walk in furniture malls like those on Al Barsha or in big centers on Sheikh Zayed Road, I see a lot of strong colors. There is one look that many villa owners like for formal spaces, they ask for black velvet curtains and then they match them with light colored walls and golden details. This combination looks bold but still classy, especially in big living rooms with high ceiling and chandeliers.

Soft greens and natural views

In apartments that face parks or golf courses, people sometimes want the curtain to talk to the outside view. For example, in places like Dubai Hills or Damac Hills, some homeowners choose green velvet curtains so the fabric feels like a continuation of the trees and grass outside. The room then has a relaxed, natural mood even when you close the windows, it does not feel like you cut yourself away from nature completely.

Colour choices for sleeping spaces

For bedrooms, many people like a mix of comfort and style. In some projects in JVC and Silicon Oasis, I have seen bedroom velvet curtains in warm beige or soft grey, because these shades sit quietly behind the bed and do not shout. They work with many bed designs and wall colours, so if you change your furniture later, you do not need to change the curtains again. Soft colours in thick fabrics can still block light while keeping the room feeling gentle.

Custom combinations and personal tastes

Sometimes ready made items in malls do not fit the exact size of windows in Dubai, especially in villas with big sliding doors. That is why many people go for custom made velvet curtains so they can choose the drop height, the pleat style, the lining and even the way it opens from center or from one side. This is where companies like Instylea come in quietly, they listen to how families live, how often they open the doors to the garden, which side the sofa is on, and then they plan the fabric and tracks according to that daily life, not only according to catalog photos.

How velvet behaves with lining, tracks and smart control

Blackout lining and sleep

In a city where many people work late, travel often or do night shifts, proper sleep is very valuable. Some fabrics alone cannot block the sun completely, especially on high floors where the sunrise hits directly. That is why many homeowners ask their curtain suppliers for blackout lining. When this lining is stitched behind the main fabric, the curtain becomes thicker and more effective. Some people even say that with the right lining and fabric together, their room stays cooler, so the AC does not need to work as hard.

Layering with sheers for flexible light

Velvet does not always work alone. In many Dubai homes I see a double layer system, sheer curtains for daytime and heavy curtains for evening. During the day, you can keep the sheers closed for privacy and still enjoy soft light. At night, or when watching a movie, you close the velvet layer. This layering helps especially in communities where houses are near each other, like The Springs or Jumeirah Village, where neighbors can sometimes see directly into your living room.

Motorised tracks and smart homes

In some luxury areas like Emirates Hills, Palm Jumeirah or high end penthouses, people do not want to pull heavy curtains by hand every day. They prefer simple buttons or remote controls. For them, motorised tracks are used so the curtain can open and close with a small click or even through a phone app. This is very practical when the window is very tall or hard to reach, or when someone has health issues and cannot pull a heavy fabric many times a day.

Common mistakes in measurement and fitting

I have also seen the sad side, when curtains are ordered too short, or too narrow. Then the fabric looks like it is hanging in the air instead of touching the floor, or it leaves gaps that let light spill in. Some people also put the rod too low, right above the window frame, so the room looks shorter. When they raise the rod closer to the ceiling and add more width, the whole wall looks taller and richer. It is a small detail, but in photos and in daily life, it really changes the feeling.

Different shades and special rooms in Dubai and UAE

Dark tones for media rooms and cinemas

Some families in Dubai like to have a separate media room, maybe a small space on the upper floor with a big screen and comfortable seating. Here they often prefer black or very dark curtains, not only for style but also for better movie watching. The thick fabric eats reflections on the side walls and keeps the screen as the main focus. When friends come over for game night, this room becomes a small private cinema right inside the villa.

Playful colours in creative corners

In study corners or creative rooms where people paint, do crafts or even record content for social media, colour plays a different role. A bright or rich coloured curtain can act like a simple backdrop for videos and photos. Content creators in areas like JVC or Arjan sometimes pick strong colours so the background looks memorable on screen, and the fabric also helps to reduce echo when they record their voice.

Green corners and indoor plants

Not every home in Dubai has a garden, but many apartments are full of indoor plants. These small jungles need good light but also protection from harsh sun. People who collect plants in small flats near the metro sometimes use softer, lighter velvet combined with sheers, so the leaves do not burn in direct light. They open the curtain fully in the morning and then close it halfway later in the day to protect delicate plants while keeping the room beautiful.

Simple designs for rental homes

Many people in UAE live in rented flats, and they hesitate to invest in things that they cannot carry easily to the next house. Curtains are actually one of the items that you can move, if they are planned smartly. Some tenants choose basic tracks that work in many places and neutral coloured velvet that can look good with different wall paints. When they shift from a studio in JLT to a one bedroom in Al Furjan, they sometimes take the same fabric and just adjust a few details with the help of a curtain company.

Using velvet curtains across UAE locations

Sea view apartments in Marina and JBR

Facing the sea is beautiful, but the reflection from water and sand is strong. In Marina and JBR, many people want to enjoy the view and still protect their furniture and their eyes. Here a mix of sheers for daytime and thicker curtains for strong sun really helps. When there is a sandstorm, closing everything quickly protects the room from dust too, you can open again when the sky calms.

Villas on Palm Jumeirah and high end communities

On Palm Jumeirah and similar areas, many villas have huge glass doors toward the garden and the pool. These doors bring light and also heat. Families with small kids like the open view but they also need to control glare during the hottest hours. Heavy curtains that draw fully to the side allow the view when needed and still give a full wall of fabric when privacy is more important, like at night or when there are workers outside.

Family homes in Mirdif, Sharjah and Ajman

Not every luxury is about brand names, sometimes it is about comfort that lasts. In areas like Mirdif, Sharjah suburbs or Ajman, families also enjoy thick curtains because they keep rooms cool, help babies sleep and make afternoon tea times more relaxed. The style there is sometimes more traditional, with richer patterns and colors, but the reason behind it is the same: lower glare, more privacy and a feeling that the home is hugging you.

Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and weekend homes

In some cases, people from Dubai keep a small weekend apartment in Abu Dhabi or a villa in Ras Al Khaimah near the sea. Those spaces are not used daily, but when the family goes there, they want instant comfort. Curtains play a quiet role here, they protect interiors while the house is empty, and then when the family arrives, they open to show the view and close again for cool sleep. In this way the fabric becomes like a watching guard, standing between the weather and the furniture.

Short notes on specific velvet curtain styles

Simple luxury for city apartments

Sometimes a person just wants the home to look a little more grown up, not childish. In that case, they may search for luxury velvet curtains that are not too shiny, but still feel rich when you touch them. These work very well in simple white or beige apartments, because they add depth without making the space feel too heavy.

Dark elegance for TV walls

People who love movies, sports and gaming sometimes like a very specific look. They arrange a dark TV wall with panels and hidden lighting, and for that corner they bring in black velvet curtains to keep the focus and avoid reflection. It is a practical choice but also looks quite stylish when photos are taken for social media or just for memory.

Cool green shades for fresh rooms

Some families are tired of only beige and grey, they want a little colour that still feels calm. For them, green velvet curtains can be a nice middle way, not too loud and not too boring. When the room has indoor plants or a view of trees, this colour choice feels connected to nature and makes the place feel cooler, even in hot months.

Warm sleep zones with soft fabrics

In many homes, people give special attention to their sleeping spaces. They may choose bedroom velvet curtains to keep the light low, the temperature more stable and the room more peaceful. When you close such curtains at night, it feels like you are closing the whole day outside and keeping only your own small world inside.

Special projects and made to measure looks

When someone has an unusual shaped window or a mixed space like a studio where living and sleeping areas are together, ready pieces from shops may not fit well. In that situation they think about custom made velvet curtains that can bend around corners, hang from ceiling tracks, or act as a soft wall to divide space. By doing this correctly, the room starts to work better without changing the structure of the apartment.