Curtains and drapery accessories

Drapes and curtains not only provide privacy but they also dress up the room and give a classy finishing touch. With such a wide range of curtains and accessories available, the decorating possibilities are endless. As long as you take the correct measurements, plan your needs properly and stick to your chosen style, you can’t go wrong. Read on to learn more about the options available.

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Curtain types
Curtain rods
Materials
Drapery accessories
Installation

Curtain types

Drapes

Drapes are large panels of fabric suspended from a "track", i.e. a rail equipped with gliders which hold the curtain hooks. Pulling a cord activates a mechanism that opens and closes the drapes. This system is somewhat complex and since it has to be custom made for the window in question, drapery panels are usually made by window-covering specialists.

Often made of velvet, damask or silk, drapes confer elegance on the room and on the window itself. These types of fabric are generally heavier, which means they are opaque and therefore shut out more light, making a room feel more cozy and secluded. This makes them perfect for bedrooms, for instance. They go better with more traditional styles of decor, while lighter-weight linens and cottons are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary homes.

When shopping for draperies it’s worth bearing in mind that as they are thicker, they cannot be drawn back as far as ordinary curtains can. They are therefore better suited to large windows. Check how much space the drapes will take up once they are drawn back. The larger they are and the thicker the material, the more space they will take up on either side of the window when they are open.

Curtains

Curtains are often lighter and more simply made than draperies. They can be hung with rings, clips, loops or tabs. They are easy to put up and are extremely versatile; they can be made any width, height and length that you want. It’s also easy to team curtains with other decorative elements such as a valance, or even another pair of curtains, to create different effects. As far as fabrics are concerned, the choice is so wide that you are practically assured of being able to find a curtain to match your decor perfectly.

Curtain styles
Curtains come in many different fabrics and colours but their main difference lies in the design of their heading and the way they are hung from the curtain rail/rod. The main styles are:
Pencil pleats: the curtain is gathered at the top, as loosely or as tightly as required, creating many small pleats.
French pleats: the curtain heading is made with a series of equally spaced double or triple pleats along the length of the track.
Tab-top: fabric loops, designed to accommodate a curtain rod or pole, are sewn on the top of the curtain panel.
Rod pocket: the top edge of the curtain is folded over to make a casing into which a curtain rod is inserted.
Grommets: these are metal eyelets that are punched into the fabric at the top of the panel for the rod to pass through.
Airy and light… Sheers, as their name implies, are panels of sheer, almost transparent, fabric, which can be either plain or patterned. They are useful for filtering light and assure some degree of privacy during the day. They are often hung along with a pair of heavier curtains which give privacy in the evening when the lights are on.
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