A room never really feels complete until the windows are fully dressed. Curtains and window coverings add that beautiful, finished layer that can truly transform a space. Something as simple as a classic white linen or luxurious silk curtain works every time. If you are on the hunt for quality window treatments, we cover all of our favorite online sources here.
If you’re wondering what kind of curtains you should get to elevate your home’s decor, you’ve come to the right place. Selecting the right curtain styles for your room or home can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider. Which type of curtains are best? How long should they be? What materials are best?
Panel pair curtains can be used just about anywhere you have room to hang draperies on both sides of a window. They are sold in twos, enabling you to place a curtain on both sides of your window. These curtains are closed by pulling each panel together in the middle and can be held open with curtain tiebacks.
Today we’ll talk about all different types of features when it comes to panel curtains from decorative to functional and everything in between so you can hang your curtains with confidence.
Materials
When choosing window treatments for your home, one of the most important aspects to consider is the fabric. The type of fabric affects how curtains hang and drape, as well as the texture, coverage, durability, and ease of laundering. Check out the following curtain fabrics so you can decide which window treatments best match your decor and needs.
Linen:
Linen tends to be a billowy fabric that still provides a tailored look, making curtains constructed of this material perfect for a casual dining area, airy bedroom, or contemporary living room. Linen drapes nicely, and the sheer fabric doesn’t block the sun, which allows for natural light to fill your living space.
Cotton:
Curtains made of cotton or a cotton blend are versatile style options, as they offer a crisp, clean feel that suits traditional or modern decorating styles. Cotton curtains drape well, making them a natural fit for formal dining rooms. If you’re looking to block sunlight in a bright bedroom or provide privacy in your living room, choose cotton curtains with a tight weave, or opt for a lined cotton panel. If you prefer your room to have a light, airy feel, go for sheer cotton curtains. Cotton curtains cast gently filtered light in any space and are easy to care for, making them a great choice for your little ones’ rooms.
Silk:
Silk curtains are heavier than curtains made from other materials and drape well, offering a romantic look that’s ideal for bedrooms or formal dining rooms. Silk curtains are ideal for creating a luxurious feel in any room. If you’re hanging silk curtains in rooms that receive a lot of natural light, protect your investment by using window shades or lighter-colored panels for lining, as silk is very susceptible to sun damage.
Velvet:
Velvet is a heavy fabric that keeps out the cold, making these window treatments ideal insulators for homes with drafty windows. Thanks to their thickness, velvet curtains provide extra privacy and help to block sounds and light. Velvet curtains tend to drape well, so this style offers a polished look that dresses up formal dining rooms, traditionally styled living rooms, or regal master bedrooms.
Hanging Panels
Go for a pleated style for a quality, elevated look that pairs well with drapery rings. There’s a huge selection of pleating options from very formal to less formal, and our favorite style is a pinch pleat panel. We also recommend choosing lined curtains that help the panels hang better and look more refined.
Pinch Pleat Curtains:
If you’re going for a traditional style, pleated curtains are your best bet. These curtains are typically made with thicker, heavier fabrics, and are fantastic to be used in in master bedrooms, sitting rooms or entertaining rooms. Pinch pleat (or tailored pleat) curtains are the most popular kind of pleated curtains. The pleats are stitched and pinched at the top, allowing the folds of the fabric to flow below and create an elegant, formal look. Pinch pleat curtains range from two-finger pleats to five-finger pleats. More pleats give the curtains a fuller appearance. Three-finger pleats (pictured above) are the most common type of pinched pleated curtains.
Goblet Pleat Curtains:
Goblet pleat curtains are ideal for large, formal rooms with high ceilings. Goblet pleat curtains get their name from their resemblance to a goblet or wine glass. However, due to the delicate structure of the pleats, this curtain style should remain stationary and can only be used to frame and decorate the window. Therefore, they’re not a good option for curtains that get a lot of use.
Inverted Pleat Curtains:
An Inverted pleat is a common drapery header type that adds texture and depth to the textile, while turning the fullness of the curtain inward. It is the reverse of a box pleat, which is made while taking depth, underlay, and spacing into account. Curtains with inverted pleats can be hung using hardware such as a rod and rings, an exposed track, a hidden track with cornice, or a curved track.
Grommet Curtains:
Grommet curtains are an excellent choice for bedrooms or any room where curtains are opened and closed regularly. Grommet or eyelet curtains are a contemporary, modern style. Open rings (or grommets) support the panels and enable you to open or close the curtains with ease.
Back Tab Curtains:
Back tab curtains consist of loops of fabric on the backs of the panels to create a clean, tailored look. You can either slide these loops directly onto the curtain rod or attach rings with clips to the loops to enhance its look. Back tab curtains work especially well if you don't want to display the curtain rod.
Liners
Blackout Liner:
Blackout liners are perfect for bedrooms, guest rooms and home theaters. If you struggle to get a restful night’s sleep, installing blackout curtains may help. Blackout curtains are made with heavyweight materials that block light and offer the most amount of privacy.
Privacy/Light Filtering Liner:
Light filtering curtains lower the amount of light in your room and give you privacy by making sure that people outside can’t directly see in. They provide an added layer usually made of cotton for more privacy than unlined curtains but not as much as blackout curtains. This liner is typically used for adding more weight and structure to your curtains.
Unlined:
Unlined curtains are light in weight and a perfect option to keep your space full of light and air. These curtains are made from a single layer of curtain fabric and are usually sheer or see through.
Placement
Of course, finding the perfect drapery is only half of the equation. The other half is making sure to hang them properly. Things like calculating the fullness or figuring out how high to hang the rod all play a part. The standard lengths and widths of typical curtains are 84", 96", 108", and 120" - depending on the ceiling and the top of window’s height.
Ideally you want your curtains to just brush the ground or have a slight fold depending on style you are looking to achieve. If you’re looking to do more of a sweeping or puddle look, these looks are very dependent on the style of curtain along with the fabric you are using. Always hang the rod as high as you can above the window frame to give your window (and room) a taller, grander appearance. A good rule of thumb is to go at least 4-6″ above the window frame if possible and 2 -3″ below the ceiling or crown molding.
Maximize your view by leaving enough room to pull your curtains entirely off the window. If you can extend your rod roughly 4-6” beyond the window on each side, it will not only give the illusion of a larger, wider window but will leave enough room for an unobstructed view.
With your newfound knowledge on interior design curtains and drapery, you will be able to better navigate your way through finding your personal style. We'd love to know which of these styles is your favorite! This is just the beginning of all of the possibilities when it comes to designing your own home. Connect with Stephanie today to learn more about creating your personalized interior design style.
~This blog was brought to you by S. Donnelly Interiors. Learn more about the interior design project process by following Stephanie Donnelly and her interior design services in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and the surrounding areas!
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