Quck answer
When it comes to choosing curtains for your home, there are six main types to consider.
1. Rod pocket curtains: These have a pocket at the top where you slide the curtain rod through. They offer a casual and relaxed look.
2. Tab top curtains: These have fabric loops at the top that you thread the curtain rod through. They give a more decorative and informal appearance.
3. Grommet curtains: These have metal rings at the top that the curtain rod goes through. They offer a contemporary and sleek look.
4. Pleated curtains: These have folds or pleats sewn into the top of the fabric. They give a more formal and elegant look.
5. Sheer curtains: These are made from translucent or semi-transparent fabric, allowing light to filter through. They provide privacy while still letting in natural light.
6. Blackout curtains: These are made with a special lining that blocks out all light, making them ideal for bedrooms or media rooms where darkness is desired.
Consider the style, functionality, and ambiance you want to create in each room when choosing the best drapery for your home.
Window treatments serve multiple purposes in a home. They not only provide privacy and block sunlight, but also enhance the visual appeal and depth of interior design. Moreover, curtains can bring a room together, adding drama, sophistication, or a relaxed atmosphere depending on the style and fabric chosen.
Curtains can be bought ready-made or custom-made. While custom-made curtains may be more expensive, they offer a superior fit, attention to detail, and a wider range of options, especially for non-standard windows or specialty fabrics.
There is a wide variety of curtain styles, materials, and lengths available to suit every room in your home, making the process of choosing curtains seem overwhelming. However, there is no need to worry. This guide will provide you with a blueprint to simplify the curtain-buying process.
Exploring Different Curtain Styles
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Stephen Paul for Hunker
Curtains are not a one-size-fits-all purchase. Your home’s aesthetic and decor should guide your selection process. Here is a list of the various curtain types to consider:
1. Double Panel
Double panel curtains, also known as panel pairs, are the most popular choice. As the name suggests, they consist of two separate curtain panels. This classic drapery design adds balance and symmetry to interiors, making it ideal for large windows and bay windows that can accommodate two fabric panels.
2. Single Panel
Single panel curtains are perfect for small rooms where two panels would be overwhelming. These curtains stack to one side of the window when not in use and work well for sliding glass doors. They can also be tied back for a playful, asymmetrical look.
3. Tab-Top
Tab-top curtains feature wide tabs or loops on the top seam, allowing them to be hung from a curtain rod. This casual curtain style complements approachable aesthetics like boho or farmhouse decor. The absence of pleats allows prints and patterns to stand out.
4. Grommet
Grommet curtains have large grommets on the header of each fabric panel, making it easy for the drapes to slide on the rod. This style is ideal for curtains that are frequently opened and closed throughout the day. Eyelets, although similar in design, are smaller and less sturdy.
5. Rod Pocket
Rod pocket curtains are popular for their simple design. The curtain panel has a channel at the top through which the rod slides. However, it may be slightly challenging to move the fabric back and forth with this style.
6. Pleated
The style of the top part of the curtain that attaches to the curtain track or rod can have a significant impact on the appearance and drape of the curtains. It also affects how the curtains hang on the rod. Pleated curtains are generally considered more formal and work best with heavier fabrics that can hold the pleats. There are different types of pleating to choose from, including:
- Box: Box pleats are deep and have noticeable folds, which give a tailored and glamorous look. They work best with solid fabrics and traditional decor.
- Goblet: Goblet pleats resemble wine goblets and add a luxurious touch to curtains. They are ideal for formal rooms with high ceilings. These pleats are delicate and serve more as a decorative option to frame a window.
- Pencil: Pencil pleats are tight and close together, creating visible and even ripples. They have a refined appearance and are more casual compared to goblet or box pleat curtains. Pencil pleat curtains are perfect for bedrooms or living rooms that don’t require as much formality.
- Pinch: Pinch pleat curtains are the most popular type of pleating. The pleats are stitched and pinched at the curtain heading, resulting in an elegant and formal fold of fabric from top to bottom. These curtains are suitable for primary bedrooms, dining rooms, and living or entertaining spaces.
Curtain Lengths
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Stephen Paul for Hunker
Ready-made curtains are available in five standard lengths: 63″, 84″, 94″, 108″, and 120″. Custom curtains can be made to any length. However, it’s important to consider the desired look when choosing the length of curtains. There are four popular styles to consider:
Float
This style refers to curtains that hang just above the floor, creating a floating effect. To achieve this look, leave no more than 1 inch of space between the bottom of the curtains and the floor.
Brushing the Floor
When curtains graze or touch the floor, precise measurements are necessary. Take into account any drapery hardware, such as curtain rings, when measuring.
Breaking the Floor
Curtains that break the floor are slightly longer than those that brush the floor. They have an additional inch or two of fabric but are not as long as puddle-style curtains. This style has a more casual feel and allows for some room for measurement imperfections.
Puddle or Pooling
The puddle or pooling style involves curtains that have more than 2 inches of extra fabric and create a dramatic look as they puddle or pool onto the floor. This romantic style is best suited for formal spaces like dining rooms, elegant bedrooms, or stately living rooms.
Cafe
Cafe curtains create a cozy cottage vibe in interiors and have gained popularity thanks to the granny chic decor trend. They are hung at the midpoint or higher on the window, allowing sunlight to flow through. Cafe curtains are perfect for spaces like kitchens and bathrooms where full coverage is not necessary.
Types of Curtain Fabrics
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Stephen Paul for Hunker
Just like the style and length of curtains, the choice of fabric should also match the room and overall design aesthetic. Here are some popular drapery fabrics that you should be aware of.
Cotton
Cotton is loved for its easy maintenance and versatility. It is a fabric that can blend well with any design style and look great in any room of the house, neither too formal nor too casual.
Linen
Linen has a natural open weave structure that adds subtle texture and depth to curtains. It is perfect for spaces that have a casual yet refined look. Linen curtains can be made more substantial by adding a liner or left unlined for a lighter, filtered light effect.
Silk
Silk is an elegant and lightweight fabric, making it a great choice for public spaces that require a bit of privacy and light filtration, such as dining or living rooms. However, silk fabrics wrinkle easily and are not suitable for direct sunlight exposure.
Velvet
Velvet is a luxurious fabric that drapes beautifully and adds an elegant, formal touch to any design. It effectively blocks drafts, sound, and light, making it suitable for bedrooms. Velvet works well in art deco-inspired spaces but may not be ideal for warm weather or tropical locations. It also requires special cleaning.
Wool
Wool has a pleasing weight that allows it to drape easily and supports embellishments like fringe and tassels. However, wool is higher maintenance, requiring dry cleaning, and is not suitable for rooms with high moisture levels.
Polyester
Don’t underestimate polyester. It is durable, cost-effective, and easy to care for. Many varieties can be wiped down if they get dirty or come into contact with steam or food splatter, making them a practical choice for high-traffic areas like the kitchen.
Types of Curtain Exposure
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Hunker in Partnership With Acme Real Estate
When it comes to curtains, there are generally two main categories: sheer and blackout. Rooms that prioritize privacy, noise reduction, and blocking sunlight, such as bedrooms and nurseries, should use blackout curtains. Sheer and semi-sheer curtains are more suitable for spaces where partial sunlight is desired.
Sheers
For a barely-there look, opt for sheer fabrics like lace curtains that allow a healthy amount of sunlight to filter in. This option works well in spaces where natural light is desired, such as a home office or kitchen.
Semi-sheers
Semi-sheer curtains are denser than sheers, providing a bit more privacy and light blockage while still allowing some light to pass through.
Window Scarfs
A window scarf is a long, thin piece of fabric that drapes casually in front of or on the sides of a window. It creates a dramatic look while still allowing ample natural light, but it may have a slightly outdated appearance.
Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains, as their name suggests, prevent light from entering the room and often have a liner on the backside of the fabric to increase opacity.
How to Maintain Curtains
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Hunker in Partnership With Acme Real Estate
Once the curtains are hung, it is important to take care of them. Regular maintenance will extend their lifespan and preserve their shape. Here are some tips to ensure your curtains always look their best:
- Gently shake the curtains every day when opening and closing them to remove dust.
- Use a low vacuum setting to remove dust and buildup from the curtains once or twice a month.
- Some fabrics, such as polyester and cotton, can be machine washed on a gentle cycle, while others cannot. Sheer curtains, for example, should be hand washed to avoid damage, and velvet curtains should be dry cleaned. Always refer to the care label.
- It is recommended to hang/air dry the curtains to prevent shrinkage.
Curtains are a versatile design element that combines both aesthetics and functionality. They provide privacy, block light, heat, and cold, and can completely transform the look and ambiance of a room. With these basic care tips, choosing curtains doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You might even enjoy the process.
Where to Purchase Curtains
Now that you have all the essential information, it’s time to start shopping. Here are some of our favorite places to buy curtains and curtain hardware, such as rings, finials, tiebacks, and rods:
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Trisha Sprouse for Hunker
West Elm
CB2
Pottery Barn
Target
Hunter Douglas
Blinds.com
