In this article:Why cover your windows?Where to hang curtains?Light drapery stylesPleating styles
Why cover your windows?
Insulation
All window coverings have an insulating effect. The heavier the fabric, the higher the insulating factor. In chilly climates, thick lined materials will assist to keep cold drafts out.
Light control
Window coverings let you manage exactly how much natural light is let in as well as at what time of day.
Noise dampening
Coverings made from material will assist take in noise both inside as well as out. High levels of absorption are possible when utilizing soft as well as generous amounts of fabric.
Views
Window coverings can frame a gorgeous view or hide an unpleasant one.
Style
Window coverings ought to work with the existing style of the space in which they’re applied; they can likewise assist add colour as well as structure to a space.
Where to hang curtains?
You can manage the visual scale of windows with these hanging techniques:
To show actual window size
Mount curtains or shades inside window recess.
To widen window
Mount covering outside window frame and/or utilize low tiebacks.
To narrow window
Use high tiebacks.
To add height to window
Mount covering above window frame.
Light drapery styles
Rod pocket
This is the most typical style of drapery. A rod is inserted into a casing that has been stitched at the top of the panel. The material is gathered along the rod to ensure that material flows gracefully downward.
Tab top
Tabs are stitched to the top of the drapery panel as well as fed with a rod for hanging. Tabs can be the exact same material as the drapery or made from a different material such as rope or ribbon. An affordable choice, however one drawback is the tabs don’t always open or close smoothly as well as can lot up on the rod.
Café
This style of drape covers the lower half of a window as much as the sill, enabling natural light in at the top while offering privacy. Café drapes can conceal a poor view without completely blocking out the light. They work well in spaces with a much more laid-back look, like kitchens as well as bathrooms.
Casement style
This type of drape features a casing at both top as well as bottom as well as is kept taut to cover the entire window. material can be gathered for a conventional look or left flat for a much more contemporary appearance. As the window is covered, the drape’s casement ought to be made from sheer fabric, light cotton or linen to enable some light through. Sash style is a variation on this look, with the drapery only covering the lower half of the window as well as down to the sill.
Hourglass
A variation of the casement style. attracted at the centre to type an hourglass shape, this is a laid-back drapery that ought to be made of a light material that gathers well.
Bishop sleeve
The bishop sleeve drapery is made of ample amounts of fabric; this is a full-appearing style that is never drawn however instead always connected back on each side of the window. The additional length of material is then pulled as much as make “poufy” bishop sleeves. different silhouettes are possible. For a slimmer look, fine material like silk or polyester ought to be used. For a much more pronounced puffiness, a medium to heavy material works best. The tiebacks can be visible or hidden.
Sheers
Romantic, billowing sheers are fantastic for enabling in maximum natural light while preserving privacy. They can be completely transparent or opaque. A range of materials can be utilized for this style including silks as well as polyesters. Colours are generally pastels, with white as well as cream being the most common. To boost privacy, sheers can be utilized on a window in combination with a shade.
Pleating styles for heavier drapes
Formal style drapery requires heavier, richer materials while panels are typically floor length. generally lined with pleated headings, they are connected to a rod utilizing hooks. Pleats are held in location by either stitching or by attaching a gathering or pleater tape to the wrong side of the material assisting pleats keep their type when drapery is open or closed. below are the most typical styles of drapery pleating.
Pinch pleats
Also understood as French pleats, this conventional style of pleating is produced by pinching together three folds of material which are separated by a flat section between them. offered with single or double pleating, this decorative style of drapery ought to not be covered up by top coverings.
Pencil pleats
Resembling a row of pencils, little round pleats are stitched or gathered into place. This is a simple covering that works well on tall windows where the heading will be deep. Its simplicity makes it suitable for contemporary interiors.
Goblet pleats
A elegant pleat for formal draperies where easy rounded pleats are fixed at the base of a heading to make a goblet shape. These are similar to single pleats as well as roundness can be emphasized with padding. This style of drapery ought to be reserved for formal settings.
Box pleats
A heading made from flat pressed pleats. The clean lines of this covering make it suitable in contemporary interiors.