Curtains and Drapes – An Overview of Different Styles
Depending on the look and feel you want to achieve with your home decor, there are a wide variety of options for curtains and drapes that you can choose from. Some styles are more suited to certain rooms in the house than others, and you will want to take this into consideration as well. Certain types of windows or ceilings can also present special challenges when choosing window coverings.
Learn how to select window treatments in this video by interior design consultant Jalon Burton:
Windows Requiring Custom Window Treatments
If you have a bay window, you will need to get specially designed curtains and curtain rods; however, you can use practically any type of curtain you like and even combine them with blinds or shades to get just the look you are hoping for. Some people choose valances and blinds for bay windows, but drapes or long curtains will make more of an impression.
Many homes also have doors that have window panels. If you want to ensure you have a bit more privacy while still allowing the light in, you can get special door panel curtains. These curtains have rods at both the top and the bottom to hold the curtains in place. While sheer curtains are often chosen for door panels, you can get them in other types of materials as well if you want something more formal looking.
Energy Saving and Remote Control Drapery Options
People who would like the opportunity to decrease their energy bills might want to consider thermal drapes. They are insulated or come with an insulated lining, so you can keep your home at the temperature you prefer without worrying about the heat or cold going through the windows. Many of these curtains and drapes come in a blackout style, so you can also keep unwanted light out of your room with these curtains. They are available in a number of different colors and materials.
If you have a hard to reach window such as a cathedral window or a skylight, or if you have elderly or disabled family members, you can make life easier by installing motorized curtains, which are operated by remote control, switches, timers or light sensors. They have the added benefit of eliminating the problem of unsightly cords. You can buy specially designed motorized curtains, or if you don’t want to change your current drapery, you can install a motorized system.
Common Drapery Styles
For a simple, informal option that works well in rooms like kitchens or bathrooms, you could consider cafe curtains. These typically cover half of a window to give privacy while still letting in lots of light. Many people cover the bottom half with cafe curtains and then put a valance on top for a nice tiered look. You can get these in a wide variety of fabrics, including sheers. If you favor the country style, you can get country kitchen curtains at Country Curtains.
Tab top curtains can be more or less formal depending on the material that is used and are suitable for almost any room in your home. They are attached to the curtain rod via the tabs or loops that are attached to the top of the curtain. You can even use these as a more decorative bathroom shower curtain as long as you use a waterproof shower curtain liner. Some people make these themselves since it is relatively simple to do.
One of the more formal window treatments for the home is pinch pleated drapes. These can be made even fancier through the addition of a valance in the same material or a coordinating material. Sheer options tend to be slightly less formal looking than those made out of thick, rich materials. These are great for larger windows or for making small windows seem a bit larger. Since these are usually a bit longer, you probably don’t want to use them in rooms like the kitchen or the bathroom. They are more suited for living rooms or possibly bedrooms.
Rod pocket curtains have also gained a lot of popularity. They are very easy to hang since you simply thread the rod through the pocket at the top of the curtain. You can get them ready to hang if you have standard sized windows or made to order. They are available in a large number of colors and fabrics, so you can choose either plain and simple curtains or more formal and fancy curtains depending on your tastes.
Valances are typically made from material that matches the curtain panels and may be decorated with a secondary fabric or a fringe. They can also be used together with shutters, blinds and shades or even used alone if you like a minimalist effect. Swags and scarfs are simple valances that can be simply draped over the ends of the curtain rod. Other styles include tie-up, ruffled, balloon, Grecian loops, simple panel, long straight tassels,jabots, draped tie backs and tapestry. There are even more choices of fabrics, textures, and colors.
Popular Curtain Patterns
Waverly curtains are a very popular option for window treatments. They are made from durable high-quality 100% cotton and come in floral, gingham, striped, paisley, plaid, classic scroll and exotic prints. You can buy bathroom shower curtains, valances, swags, tiers, pinch pleated drapes and door panel curtains that are made from Waverly fabrics.
The country look has never gone out of fashion. Homeowners may install country kitchen curtains and even decorate their whole home in this style. Since the country look makes use of simple patterns such as gingham and checks and colors such as blues, reds and browns, it can leave a room feeling quite cozy. Country kitchen curtains are relatively easy to find in stores in a number of different styles and materials; tier curtains with valances are a common choice.
Where to Buy Curtains and Drapes
If you are in the market for drapery, you have many retailers to choose from, including Bed Bath & Beyond, Calico Corners, Crate and Barrel, JCPenney, Linens ‘n Things, Pottery Barn, Sears and Smith+Noble. Most of these retailers also sell curtain rods. You can shop locally or online. If you are willing to do some preliminary research, you can read customer reviews and compare prices online, allowing you to make a more informed purchase decision.
