About Draperies

Decorating the home is a major task for some and a delight for others. As you decide on placing furniture, picking out colors is one of the major decisions for how a room will look and feel. Once you know your style, decorating windows becomes easier. If you want an elegant or dramatic look--and you want to cut energy costs--consider draperies.

Description

Draperies are different from curtains. They have a lining, which curtains do not have. The lining provides insulation when the draperies are closed. Materials for draperies tend to be heavier and more elegant than curtains. They create a backdrop when you close them and accentuate a view when you open them.

Benefits

Draperies control the amount of light that enters a room. They protect furniture and rugs from the sun, and give privacy when closed. The lining helps keep heat in during the cold months and heat out during the warm months. The varied designs help you create a mood for your room...as well as elegance and a possible splash of color.

Types

Draperies can be elegant silk blends or functional cotton blends. Some are made of linen and some are micro suede. Some draperies have an interlining besides the outside fabric and back lining. Interlining gives extra insulation. Blackout lining is a light fabric, but it is temperature controlled. Draperies have different pleats for different effects. There are Euro pleats that allow a wide span between pleats. Cartridge pleats have a rolling effect. Inverted pleats add drama. Box pleating gives a streamlined effect.

Effects

If you are going to open and close your draperies every day, you want to consider the type of rod and drapery top that allows for easy opening. Traverse rods make it easy to draw the drapes and can handle heavier material. The new grommet panels give a modern look to a room. The grommets are available in brass, silver, and black; they work well on most rods. Tab top draperies are casual and slide across the rod. Pinch pleat tops and rod pocket drapes are classics.

Considerations

Measuring for drapes requires specific measurements in order for the draperies to hang appropriately. Use a metal tape measure for more accurate measuring. For the width, measure from the tips of the rod. Do not measure the wrap around area that goes back to the wall. For the height, measure from the center of the rod to four inches below the window frame for short drapes and one inch above the floor for floor length drapes.

Resources

• How to Measure Drapes