What to Know About Curtains and Drapes

Curtains and drapes are soft window treatments that perform the same duties as the cousins they’re often paired with — shades, blinds and shutters — by providing privacy and light control and being a crucial part of a room’s design. But the wide variety of fabrics, patterns, colors and decorative hardware available for curtains and drapes means they can make an even bolder design statement — while adding an element of softness to a space.

“Drapes give more dimension and texture to the space,” says Sheri Stouffer, owner of Finishing Touches, a window treatment studio in Colorado. Read on for a guide to curtain and drapery options and what design professionals have to say about them.

What to Know

When purchased ready-made, curtains and drapes are usually sold in panels. They can be opened and closed manually, and heavier drapes are sometimes operated with a wand or are mechanized on a track. Panels usually range from 63 to 120 inches in length. A rule of thumb for drapery width is that the fabric should be two to 2½ times the width of the window, or three times as wide for sheers, says Stouffer of Finishing Touches.

Curtains. Curtains come in a variety of fabrics, from cotton to rayon to linen. They range in thickness from sheer to blackout for light control and privacy. Curtains come in an array of lengths and patterns and are usually sold in pairs. They’re hung from a rod by a pocket of fabric, fabric tabs, grommets or rings. They’re often used with shades for optimal privacy and light protection.

Drapery. Usually made of heavier material than curtains and often lined with material to block sunlight, drapes exude a more formal feel. They’re usually floor-length or allowed to puddle at the bottom and are often pleated at the top, or header, for an elegant, traditional look. With fabrics ranging from silk and linen to textured damask and velvet, drapes tend to be more subtly patterned than curtains.