When it comes to home decor, curtains give a different lift to the room’s atmosphere. Changing curtains seasonally transforms the room every time. Other than being decorative pieces, they are functionally useful for privacy. They also have other uses like shower curtains and as space separators, used instead of doors at times. There are many types of curtains available in the market from cafe curtains to Valances and Sheer.
Types of Curtains
You can have different types of curtains in different rooms of your home. Curtains types and fabrics also change according to seasons. Here are some of the different types of curtains and their names currently in the market.
1. Single Panel Curtains
Single panel curtains are the most common type of curtains. They are made using a single fabric piece. such types of curtains are ideal for sliding glass doors and are used on small windows. They can be hung straight for a private setting or hung back. Single panel curtains are timeless and you can use them in any room of your home.
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2. Double Panel Curtains
As the name suggests, the double panel curtains consist of two separate curtain panels. It is popular in contemporary and classic styles. You have to pull both curtain panels together to close them. The curtain panels can also be tied back to give it asymmetric look.
3. Valance Type of Curtains
Valances are a nice addition to the interior decor in the bedroom, living room, or home office. They hide the fixtures at the top of the window. They are good to add finishing touches to a window dressing.
Valances are good in case you don’t like full curtains. You can consider hanging pleated valances to create a luxury look in the bedroom.
4. Sheer Curtains
These types of curtains create a little private but naturally lit ambiance. They are made of transparent, thin fabric and are good types of curtains for living room windows and dining spaces. They come in beautiful patterns. You can line them with extra material for more privacy.
5. Blackout Curtains
Just as the name suggests, these curtains do just that, blackout any light from the room. They are ideal in bedrooms, theatres, or photo development rooms where it is a must that no light must enter.
Blackout curtains are made of heavier fabric and most often have built-in linings. They also provide noise and thermal insulation. They can also protect your room’s furniture from sunlight.
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6. Pleated Curtains
Giving an elegant and formal look, pleated curtains are pinched and stitched at the top. This makes the fabric fold from the bottom giving it a pleated look.
The most common type of pleated curtains is the three-finger pinch pleat. Such types of curtains are easy to open and close. Pleat curtains are mostly used as types of curtains for bedroom windows, offices, and living rooms.
7. Tab Top Curtains
Easy to assemble, they come with loops that hang from the top part of the panel that supports the rod. The rod passes through these loops. This makes it easy to open and close tab top curtains. They are suitable for country-style homes and are also embellished with buttons sometimes.
8. Semi-opaque Curtains
These are like a combination of blackout and sheer curtains. They are semi-transparent and allow little sunlight into the room while closed. Semi-opaque curtains provide greater privacy and lesser light compared to sheer curtains.
9. Rod Pocket curtains
Quite different from other styles, these have a pocket sewn into the curtain’s top part. You simply pass the rod through one end of the pocket and out the other. Rod pocket curtains are usually made with lightweight fabrics, but you can pair them with a second layer for a more private space. Pairing such types of curtains with valance curtains is a great idea to boost the decor, but also gives a good look without them.
10. Cafe Curtains
These offer a great deal of privacy. They hung closer to the lower part of the window and are hung midway. They look good in bathrooms and kitchens. You can control the light from these by opening the upper part of the window.
Curtains v/s Drapes
- Drapes are made of a heavier fabric than curtains and are longer in length than standard curtains.
- As they are thicker, drapes are ideal for colder areas to keep the cold out as opposed to curtains.
- Curtains are usually the same length as the window or lower. Drapes are generally ceiling to floor length.
- You can open and close most of the curtains by pushing the fabric away. But, drapes need a drawstring to pull apart.
Shades v/s Blinds
- As blinds are made in a slat-like fashion, we can easily control the light and privacy of the room. Shades must be opened all the way through or not, and do not provide such flexibility.
- Shades are easy to remove and you can wash them on a regular basis. The fabric of the shade is naturally durable. Blinds are not very durable and need a lot of maintenance.
- The fabric of the shades helps in blocking out the cold in winter and heat in summer, keeping the room pleasant. Blinds let the light through their slats and are not designed to keep your room insulated.
- Blinds look great on architectural windows like bay windows. Shades are a modern type of curtains that are suitable for large front living room windows.
Final Words
While exploring decor ideas for your new apartment or home, you can find different types of curtains for windows online. Before choosing a type you need to consider a few things. Colder climates will need heavier curtains and fabrics to stay warm. Hotter regions will need lighter ones for proper ventilation.
Depending on your need for privacy you can choose between blackout, sheer and semi-opaque curtains. Choosing a curtain is easy, once you figure out its purpose in each room. Also, keep in mind to calculate a suitable budget beforehand while deciding on fabric and style. You will also have to factor in making charges for custom-made curtains.