How to choose the perfect curtains and drapes?
- Tier curtains – Short curtains that cover just a portion of the window.
- Apron curtains – Curtains that hang just below the bottom of the window.
- Floor curtains – Curtains that reach down to the floor. ...
- Puddle curtains – Curtains that reach down to the floor with some remaining fabric puddling at the bottom. ...
Are curtains and drapes the same thing?
While drapes and curtains can both cover windows, they are made from different materials. Drapes are heavier and made from thicker fabrics than curtains, and they can block more light. Curtains are more versatile but may not be suitable for all rooms. Drapes can be steam cleaned, whereas curtains cannot.
Should the curtains match the drapes?
When you're shopping for curtains, they need to match the style and color in the room. Curtain styles range from delicate sheers to heavy velvet drapes. While the style and color should work with...
Are drapery and curtains the same thing?
The terms “drapery” and “curtains” are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t always the same thing. Curtains tend to vary in length, while draperies usually fall all the way to the floor. The term “draperies” also can refer to lined or backed curtains with a fuller and heavier feel.
Are drapes heavier than curtains?
1. Drapes are a more formal window covering than a set of curtains. 2. Drapes tend to be made of heavier fabric than a set of curtains.
What are the 3 types of curtains?
Choosing your curtain style and construction depends on your home's style and the functionality you need. They can be both formal or casual, depending on your room's décor. Three of the most popular curtain styles are grommet, rod pocket, and pinch pleat curtains.
What is considered a drapery?
Although they're both considered soft window treatments, drapery is typically made from heavier materials than curtains, such as damask, silk, or velvet. The fixtures consist of fabric panels that are lined with light or heavy cloth for light and temperature control.
What is the point of drapes?
Like curtains, the purpose of drapes is to block light, offer privacy, and add visual interest to a room. Drape panels are also often sold in pairs as window treatments.
What are Theatre drapes called?
The front curtain, also called house curtain, act curtain, grand drape, main drape, main curtain, proscenium curtain, main rag or, in the UK, tabs, hangs downstage, just behind the proscenium arch. It is typically opened and closed during performances to reveal or conceal the stage and scenery from the audience.
What is the most popular type of curtain?
Pencil pleat is the most popular type of curtain heading and often the most cost-effective. They are widely used in all sectors and homes. Pencil pleat headings are normally three rows of string threaded through it for three hook positions.
What are thin curtains called?
Sheer curtains, also known as sheers are lightweight fabrics that cover over your windows, soften your home's lighting, and add an instant infusion of style into your interior decor.
What are the folds in curtains called?
The most popular curtain heading of our time. There's a trend in curtains right now that leans toward the simple, yet elegant look. The curtain of choice looks to be the wave fold. Also known as ripple fold or S fold curtains, they provide a very contemporary look without being too outrageous or flashy.
What do you call curtains with rings?
Grommet Curtains Open rings (or grommets) support the panels and enable you to open or close the curtains with ease. Where to use them: Grommet curtains are an excellent choice for bedrooms or any room where curtains are opened and closed regularly.
What do drapes do for a room?
Not only do they filter the sunlight, they also add warmth and make a space look finished. Whether you're looking for a bit of privacy, dreaming of adding drama, or just want to decorate, curtains are one of the best ways to pull the design elements of a room together.
Are curtains out of style?
Modern types of window treatments have become more and more popular over the year. But, even though curtains are from the past, they will never go out of style. They are classic window coverings that can adapt to modern design and style.
Why do people put curtains on the window?
Curtains are often hung on the inside of a building's windows to block the passage of light. For instance, at night to aid sleeping, or to stop light from escaping outside the building (stopping people outside from being able to see inside, often for privacy reasons).
What are the five different types of curtain?
The 5 Main Types of Curtains & Drapes (tops & headings)Tap top.Rod/ Pole pocket.Pleated (tailored pleat, pinch pleat, inverted pleat, box pleat)Grommet.Ripplefold.
What are the different hanging styles for curtains?
Rod pocket, eyelet and tab top are amongst the most popular ways to hang curtains....Heading stylesRod Pocket. The most basic heading is the rod pocket (also known as pole pocket) style. ... Curtain rings. Using curtain rings is a popular choice. ... Eyelet. ... Tab Top. ... Tie Top. ... Pencil pleat. ... Goblet pleat. ... Pinch pleat.More items...•
What are the different types of ways to hang curtains?
Different Curtain Attachments You Can Use To Hang Up Your Curtains on a Curtain RodRod Pocket or Pole Pocket. If you want to know, how to hang rod pocket curtains, here it is. ... Curtain Rings. Hanging up curtains with the help of curtain rings is the easiest method. ... Eyelets. ... Tab Tops. ... Tie Tops. ... Hanging Pins.
Which type of curtains are best for bedroom?
Choosing the Best Fabric When choosing bedroom curtains, start with material—cotton is the most common option. "Cotton is light, breathable, and easy to care for," says Emery. Opt for a machine-washable fabric if you prefer convenience. However, if you want a luxury vibe, consider a heavier, more sumptuous fabric.
What is the difference between drapes and curtains?
curtains? Curtains are sold in pairs or by panel, and are installed over blinds or shades. They hang from curtain rods, extend to the windowsill or floor, and are typically made from lighter fabrics, but can be room darkening or even blackout. Drapes are made from thicker fabrics and are lined to block out more light. They are also more formal in aesthetic and extend to, or even puddle at the floor.
What is a single panel curtain?
Single Panel Curtain: As the name states, single panel curtains are made of one piece of fabric. These are great for sliding glass doors. Panel Pair: These curtains come in matching pairs, allowing you to hang the two pieces of fabric on either side of the window.
What is pinch pleat curtain?
Pinch Pleat: This header style has a permanently gathered look. Pieces of fabric are sewn together at the top to form pleats. Depending on the design, pinch-pleat curtains can be hung with a rod pocket, clip rings, or drapery hooks.
What is a sheer curtain?
Sheer: Sheer curtains offer the least amount of privacy and the most amount of light to come through your windows. You can see through the fabric, but it reduces some glare on TVs and furniture. This style is a light and breezy addition to any room.
Do noise reducing curtains help you fall asleep?
Noise Reducing Curtains: Fall asleep faster with noise reducing curtains or drapes. While the curtains will not block 100% of sound, it will reduce noise pollution from the street (especially helpful if you live in a busy city). Shop Noise Reducing Curtains. SHOP ALL CURTAINS AND DRAPES.
What is the difference between a drape and a curtain?
Curtains, on the other hand, are typically unlined and much sheerer than a drape. They allow light to filter in, but therefore don't offer the same privacy as a drape.
When Should You Choose Drapes?
Deciding between a thick, heavy fabric and a thinner one requires you to consider how you'll use the room the most. According to Eugenia Triandos of Hibou Design & Co ., "The level of privacy required will determine whether you will select drapery, curtains or both." When designing a room, she typically opts for drapes in any room that requires more privacy—think bedrooms—or a more formal feel.
When Should You Opt for Curtains?
A curtain is a great option in any room where you want to add a window curtain for texture, but do not need to block out light. A sheer panel is a great choice in a family room or living space—the flowy, casual nature allows for a more relaxed look without sacrificing all privacy.
How to add texture to a room?
"We often like to combine sheer curtains with thicker drapes that provide privacy and block out natural light," Triandos says. Consider layering a thick velvet drape with a sheer curtain in an elegant office space or dining room.
How wide should a curtain rod be?
When it comes to width, hang your curtain rod a few inches wider than the window to give space to draw your panels. This will frame your windows while still allowing the maximum amount of light to filter in. Whether you opt for drapes or curtains, the rules are the same when it comes to finding the right size for every window.
What to do once you narrowed in on drapes?
Once you've narrowed in on drape or curtain and measured to ensure you know the right size for your window, it's important to decide what color or pattern works best in your space. Curtains and drapes come in millions of different styles, so it can be overwhelming to decide how to pair them with the rest of your décor.
Where do curtains hang?
Similar to drapes, though, they are sold as a pair or individually, and hang from a curtain rod above the window. While curtains can extend all the way to the ground, they can also stop at the bottom of the window.
What is a curtain?
Curtains. Curtain is a very common word and understood all over the world as a loose fabric hung from rods over windows. These fabrics are not heavy and ornate and, as such, they are not able to shut out light completely. Curtains do not have lines and do not cover the entire length of the window.
What are drapes made of?
Drapes have traditionally been made of heavy, ornate fabrics that create lines in the curtain. These fabrics do not sway in windy conditions and look gracious and add to the décor of the room. For a formal look, there is nothing better than drapes.
Why do people use curtains?
If we talk about function, traditionally curtains and drapes have been used to give people control over how much sunlight they want in their room or how much privacy is needed. They are of course very beautiful to look at and add to the décor of the place they are used.
What is the word for a window covering?
Windows in every home are covered with an arrangement referred to as drapes or curtains . So commonplace is the use of these words that we hardly pause and think for a minute if there is any difference between a curtain and drape.
Do curtains have lines?
Curtains do not have lines and do not cover the entire length of the window. They are mostly used in a casual or semi-formal fashion and not considered good for the sole purpose of privacy. One characteristic of curtains is that the fabric is the same from both sides, and there is no front and back.
What are curtains in a window?
What are curtains? Curtains, of course, are fabric window coverings, usually hung from a rod or track. The majority of box-store purchased fabric window coverings will be curtains. They come in a wide variety of fabrics, colors, patterns, and materials. Often they come in just a few set sizes, like lengths of 84″ or 54″.
What is drapery made of?
They’re customized for the window they will be installed in. They can be made from any material, any opacity, and any length. They can even be made to fit custom hardware for unique or unusual windows.
Can you buy custom drapes in pairs?
Basically, yes. Curtains are essentially mass-produced, non-customized, lower quality drapes that can usually only be purchased in pairs. We understand not everyone is ready to or wants to invest in custom draperies, and there’s nothing wrong with having curtains.
What is the difference between drapes and curtains?
But what is the difference between curtains and drapes? Both are made of panels of fabric that frame the sides of a window, but they are different. A curtain is flowy, light-weight and has very little built-in fullness. A drapery is longer and lined, has more fullness, and is made with better quality details like blind stitched hems and drapery metal weights, to name a few.
How to tell if you're looking at a curtain or a drape?
To test whether you’re looking at a curtain or a drape, take a look at the window treatment and do a bottom hem test. Look at the bottom of the drapery and try to answer these questions.
What is interlining in drapery?
Some draperies also have interlining, which is a felt-like material that is sandwiched in between the main fabric and lining. The drapery would be made in three layers of fabric overall when interlined. If the fabric is 100% silk, interlining is a must since silk is quick to fade in the sun over the years.
Why are curtains hung higher?
Because of the size and fullness limitations of curtains , there’s also a limitation on how a curtain is hung. Curtains tend to be hung closer to the window, covering the window rather than framing it. Draperies are typically hung higher and wider to make a window appear larger than it really is and to add the illusion of height to a room.
What is a drapery panel that doesn't have enough fullness?
On the other hand, a drapery panel that doesn’t have enough fullness becomes a curtain by default.
What is a curtain in a window?
But for most people, a curtain is a long panel of fabric that frames the sides of the window. You may notice that many interior designers also use the term drapes or draperies.
What is taupe curtain?
The bedroom curtain in taupe is a light-weight semi-sheer fabric, where each panel is only 50 inches wide. Clearly, the curtains are lacking in fullness, especially next to the oversized tufted headboard. The curtain rod was hung incorrectly, too.
What is the difference between curtains and drapes?
The differences between curtains and drapes, however, is that drapes are lined, sometimes with fabric heavy enough to block out all outside light, making them perfect for bedroom use. Drapes (sometimes called draperies) are long enough to reach from the top of the window to the floor, sometimes even puddling a bit beneath the window.
What are curtains and drapes?
To make it even more confusing, many people—including interior decorators—use the terms "drapes" and " curtains " interchangeably, mixing in "shades" and "blinds" as if they were synonyms, too. However, while all four types of window treatments can be used with many decorating styles and in any room of the home, ...
What are curtains called that cover the bottom of a window?
The short, sheer curtains that cover only the bottom half of a window over a kitchen sink, frequently matched to a valance across the window’s top, are called café curtains. In the bedroom, you’ll likely use curtains over another window treatment, such as a blind or shade, because curtains are made of lightweight, sometimes sheer fabrics that unlined. This means that while curtains do filter out some light, they won’t filter out all of it. Thus, they won’t keep your bedroom dark when you want to sleep late.
What is a shade?
Shades. A shade is a soft fabric panel that is attached to a rod or frame at the upper edge. Sold individually, shades come in a wide range of lengths, widths, colors, and materials and are sized to fit within the window frame, unlike drapes or curtains that hang below the sill.
What is the top of a drapery panel?
The top of a drapery panel is often pleated , and these pleats, along with the heavy fabric, contribute to the formal appearance of this popular window treatment. Like curtains, drapes hang from a rod on rings, hooks, grommets or a fabric sleeve at the top or on the back of the panel.
What to hang on top of curtain panels?
There are quite a few hanging options, including metal grommets, metal or fabric rings, or a fabric sleeve on the top or the back of the curtain panels are the most common. Use colorful curtains to add a punch of contrast to your bedroom, or go with an interesting pattern to liven up the space.
What is a curtain?
Curtains. Curtains are fabric panels that are most often sold in pairs. You’ll find curtains in a wide range of widths, lengths, fabrics, colors, and patterns, making them a versatile and popular choice for every room of the home, even bathrooms and kitchens.
What is the difference between drapes and curtains?
In the difference between curtains vs drapes, drapes stand out because of superior light control and noise reduction.
What is a curtain and drape?
Curtains and drapes are both panels of fabric that are installed on a rod that gets attached above your windows. They have similarities in their design and functioning that make them look more or less the same as one another. Curtains and drapes are both available in different shapes and sizes since there are a lot of different types of curtains and drapes out there.
Why are drapes used in New York?
Since drapes are made from thick and dense fabric, they offer noise reduction. They can dampen sounds coming in through your windows. This makes them useful for houses that are located close to New York’s busy streets.
What are curtains used for?
They are basically panels of fabric that come in different shapes and sizes. Curtains are generally used in pairs and are installed on a railing that gets fitted above your windows.
Why are curtains good for insulation?
Curtains can be great for improving insulation as well. You can have them made from special thermal fabrics in order to reduce the amount of energy seeping through your windows. Energy-efficient curtains can help lower your energy bill in the long run.
Which is better, drapes or curtains?
Drapes are also better at offering light control and privacy. Unlike curtains, drapes are capable of blocking almost 95% of the light that comes through your windows. You can further increase their light-blocking by going for blackout drapes. Their dense fabric also makes them great for improving privacy since they completely block your windows.
Do drapes and curtains look the same?
At a glance, curtains and drapes pretty much look the same. However, a closer look will make it obvious that drapes and curtains have a few key differences. In fact, drapes and curtains are quite different from one another in terms of style and functionality.
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If your windows are looking bare and you’re ready to dress them up, the search for window treatments may leave you confused. Not only are there so many options to choose from, but many design sites use the terms “curtains” and “drapes” interchangeably and refer to “shades,” and “blinds” as if they’re exactly the same.
Curtains
Curtains are fabric panels that can be found in varying lengths, widths, fabric and colors. Often curtain panels are sold in pairs. Because curtains are so versatile, they’re a great option for decorating almost every room in your home.
Drapes
Like curtains, drapes are fabric panels. However, drapes are lined and are often made of heavier fabric. Drapes are usually sold in pairs and tend to be more expensive than curtains.
Shades
Shades are soft, fabric panels that are attached to a curtain rod or a window frame. Shades are sold individually and come in a variety of lengths, width, colors and materials. While curtains and drapes hang below the window, shades are designed to fit within the window frame.
Blinds
While blinds lift up and down much like shades, their overall construction and the material used is very different. For blinds, expect to see wood, bamboo, aluminum or vinyl slats, also known as louvers, that can tilt to allow light in or tilt down to block light and add privacy.
