How to Coordinate Drapery Curtains with Existing Furniture and Color Schemes
The right type of drapery and curtains for your home
Window treatments are a key component to a cohesive home design and can have an enormous impact on the feel of a room. But it's easy to get tripped up when it comes to choosing the right type of drapery and curtains for your home — a mistake that can leave you with an undesired look and expensive bill.
Drapery Curtains and drapes both work to block light, offer privacy, and add visual interest to a room, but they are two distinct window treatment options with some important differences. Understanding these distinctions will help you select the best window coverings for your space.
Drapery Curtains
Often referred to simply as "drapes," drapes are typically made from heavier fabrics, like velvet or damask, and are more luxurious than curtains. They're generally considered more formal and elegant, but they're also great for blocking light, offering privacy, and insulating the home against extreme temperatures.
Drapes are hung from a rod above the window and can be sewn to a custom length, so you can decide whether they should extend to the floor or just barely brush the sill and/or floor. They can be paired with curtains or used as standalone window treatments. They can also be layered over blinds or shades to offer complete light blocking and privacy.
The center or to a side
Like curtains, drapes are available in a wide variety of colors and fabrics to match your style and preferences. They're sold in pairs and can be hung to open from either the center or to a side, such as to the left or right. They're also sold as a single piece of fabric that doesn't open or close (these styles are sometimes called valances).
From floor-length to cafe curtains that just brush the bottom of the frame
Drapes come in many different widths and can be hung in various lengths, from floor-length to cafe curtains that just brush the bottom of the frame. You can even find them in blackout materials, which make them a great choice for bedrooms.
In terms of styling, both drapes and curtains can be customized with a valance or pelmet header to add more visual interest and further define your space's style. The bottom of a drape can be pleated for added elegance, and some drapes feature swags or bouffants to further increase their formality.
Choosing the right type of drapery for your space is easy if you understand the basic differences between curtains and drapes. You can use this knowledge to create a room that feels cohesive, stylish, and comfortable.
Our Picks: Drapery Curtains
To find the perfect pair of Drapery Curtains for your home, we recommend that you start with a drapery rod. This allows you to test out the different ways your curtains can be hung and ensure that they fit your space. We also recommend that you consider the other aspects of your room to help narrow down the selection. For example, you might want to consider the color and style of your furniture, if you plan on using a valance or pelmet, if you would like a pair of panels that puddle on the floor, or if you want a more traditional, closed-back look.
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