The Differences in Curtain Drapery
Although they seem like a small detail, curtains and drapes set the tone for the entire mood of a room. Different styles of drapery can make a room look formal, informal, traditional, modern or whimsical. Before choosing drapes, it is helpful to know the characteristics of each different type so that you can choose a style that suits the room. Does this Spark an idea?
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Pleat
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Pleated curtains and drapes are among the most popular styles of window coverings. The pleats add fullness and visual interest while still allowing the curtain to be moved along the rod. Popular types of pleats include pinch, European, goblet, pencil and box. Each of these styles offers a uniform pleated look but with a different visual effect at the top of the drape. Box pleats, for example, are large pleats that create a series of formal-looking rectangular box shapes at the top of the curtain, while pencil pleats are small and create a gathered appearance at the top of the curtain. Pleated styles are meant to be moved along the rod with a cord or pulley.
Rod Pocket
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Rod-pocket curtains have a sewn-in pocket at the top. The rod is inserted through the pocket to hang the curtains. This allows the drapes to be either gathered or stretched out as desired. There are two basic styles of rod-pocket drapes. One style has the pocket at the very top of the curtain, while on the other the pocket is several inches below the top of the curtain. Placing the pocket several inches from the top creates a ruffle above the rod when the curtain is gathered. Rod-pocket curtains are meant to stay in place.
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Tab Top
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Tab-top curtains are less formal than many other styles and offer a fresh, breezy look. As the name implies, this style of drapery has tabs at the top. The curtain rod runs through the tabs. In most cases, the tabs are the same color and fabric as the rest of the curtain, although some tab-top curtains have a playful look, with the tabs in different colors or with embellishments such as buttons, bows or snaps. Tab-top curtains can move along the rod but are generally meant to be stationary.
Ring or Clip
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Curtains that hang from a ring or clip also offer a less formal look. They hang from the rod similar to a shower curtain, using either rings placed directly through small grommets or clips attached to the rings. They can easily be moved along the rod and either decoratively gathered to one side or stretched across the entire window.
Grommet
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Grommet- or eyelet-style drapes have large holes or grommets at the top, similar to curtains intended to be hung using rings, except that these curtains are meant to be placed directly on the rod. The rod runs through the grommets, creating soft pleats. The pleats can be arranged as loosely or as tightly as desired in either a uniform or a graduated distance. Eyelet-style drapery can be opened and closed by sliding it along the rod, but it is generally meant to remain in place.
Tie Top
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Tie-top curtains are similar to tab-top, but instead of a sewn loop, there are two ties. They are tied in either an elegant knot or a bow along the rod. Although they can slide across the rod, tie-top drapes are meant to stay in place once they are decoratively arranged.
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References
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