Different Styles of Drapes

Drapes are a design statement.

Drapes make a design statement for your windows and home. They can supply a background for the room or can be the focal point that you build the room's design around. Drapes can totally transform your room from ordinary to stylish. The choices in fabric, pattern, color and trim for your draperies are endless.

Pleated

Pleated refers to how the top of the drapery material is gathered. There are many styles of pleated drapes available. There are pinch pleats, goblet, pencil, box, inverted, fan, rolled cuff and many more. Pleated draperies are a must if you have a traditional style room.

Flat Panel

Flat panel drapes are not gathered or pleated at the top, but hang from metal rings. The decorative rod and finials are an important element in the overall design of the drapes. The finishes of the rods must coordinate with the color, texture and style of the drapes as well as the décor of the room.

Tab Top and Tie Top

These drapes have tabs or ties at the top which slide over a decorative drapery rod. The fabric of the draperies hangs softly for an informal look. Use these curtains for a country, colonial or casual look. The rod is also an important element with this style of drapes.

Rod Pocket

Rod pocket drapes have a pocket for the drapery rod sewn into the top. You can use valances and toppers with this kind of drapes. The drape edges are straight for a tailored style or ruffled for a feminine look.

Grommets

Grommets are metal rings embedded into the top of the drapery material and come in different finishes such as brass, nickel, copper and colors like black or white. The grommets are large enough for the drapery rod to pass through. This type of drapery lends itself to a modern, contemporary design.

Top Treatments and Accessories

You can add elegance to your drapes by using valances, swags and jabots over the tops of the panels. Embellished with fringe, tassels and other decorative trims, they make your window treatments more formal and dramatic. Accessories are an option to hold back drape panels and let in light. Fabric or tasseled tiebacks, metal hold backs, pins and jewels are some of your options.

Fabric Choices

The fabric, texture and color you choose for your drapes are an important design consideration. Formal fabric choices would include damask, silk, chenille, brocade and velvet. Cotton, muslin and open-weave fabrics would be good for a more casual and informal style. The color and pattern selected for drapes should not overwhelm the space. A strong color or pattern can be a focal point but there should be balance with the rest of the room's color scheme.

References

• Levolor: Drapery Styles
• Drapery Connection: Drapery Pleating Styles
• My Curtain Styles: Styles of Draperies