What are the different types of curtains?

When it comes to curtains, you have an enormous amount of choice. Over the years, designers have developed a wide variety of styles to suit practically any setting.

In this blog, we are going to take a look at the unique features of popular types of curtains and accessories, explaining the characteristics of each in detail.

Box Pleated Curtains

Box pleated curtains are a particular type of pleated curtain where the pleats (folds of material at the top of the curtain) take on a box-like shape.

Typically, this type of curtain creates a rectangular pleat shape near the rail. As the material folds around the stitch, it squares off at the sides, giving the impression that there is a box-like supporting structure behind. It is a great way to instantly add more volume in your drapes and to help your rooms look plusher.

Box pleats are an elegant style choice that works well with practically any style of fabric. This type of tuck is particularly prevalent in contemporary homes, but it works well in traditional interiors too.

Cased Heading Curtains

Most curtain designs use hooks of some description to attach the drape fabric to a pole that runs above the interior window frame. Cased heading curtains, however, are a particular type of drape in which the material itself wraps around the pole. This design also goes by names like “rod pocket” and “slot top” which both go some way to convey the basic concept. The curtain fabric wraps around the rail, negating the need for hooks or other inserts.

The top section of these curtains is called the head. It is a piece of fabric stitched onto the primary curtain material with a central hole running along its length through which you slot the pole. Because these curtains do not use runners or hooks, they are at higher risk of breaking. People, therefore, usually only use them in rooms where the curtains stay closed most of the time.

Pinch Pleated Curtains

Pinch pleated curtains are a type of drape that uses a series of stitches to bring many layers of fabric into a tightly knitted bunch at the top. A row of stitches also separates the header section from the rest of the drape body, which hangs in ruffles typically to the floor. It is one of the most popular curtain styles, complementing a variety of interiors, including both formal and relaxed rooms.

Eyelet Curtains

Over the years, designers have come up with different types of curtains that interface with poles in different ways. Eyelet curtains are an excellent example of this. They feature one of the newest types of curtain tops: metal O-rings stitched into the curtain fabric itself.

The way these drapes work is simple. The O-ring eyelets or “ring tops,” slide over the pole, holding the curtain in place, allowing designers to make curtains from single sheets of fabric, instead of attaching a header afterwards. This type of drape is ideal in contemporary accommodation or for anyone on a budget.

Tailored Pleat Curtains

Tailored pleat curtains are hand-made drapes that let you choose between types of curtain pleats. Here you could ask the tailor to create pencil pleats, pinch pleats, box pleats, or any other kind of tuck that they have in their repertoire.

Goblet Pleat Curtains

Goblet-style pleats are one of the most formal curtain options available and typically found in high-end homes, luxurious hotels and city centre apartments. The name “goblet pleat” comes from the shape of the pleating in the header fabric. Manufacturers stitch the heading material in such a way that it creates a shape reminiscent of a wine glass when you draw the curtain. There’s a pinched section at the bottom of the header fabric which then fans out into a cup shape. The effect makes the pleating look full and rounded while still allowing the rest of the curtain to hang elegantly below.

Tab Top Curtains

Of all the different kinds of curtains for your home, tabletop curtains are among the most interesting. Here again, the interface between the drape and the pole does not rely on hooks. Instead, the curtain attaches to the rail via a series of rectangular ribbons. These pieces of fabric loop from the curtain, over the rail, and then back onto the other side of the curtain material. It is a little bit like taking cased heading curtains and then cutting chunks out of the slot top to create alternating sections of fabric and open space.

Sheer Curtains

Unlike some of the above varieties, you identify sheer curtains by the materials that they use, not the way they hook onto the rail. Sheer is a special type of fabric that allows light to enter a room while maintaining privacy. Light interacts with the materials and scatters in all directions, creating bright interiors while preventing anyone on the outside from peering in. This type of drape is most popular for people whose front rooms back directly onto the street or those who are overlooked by other people.

Hanging Curtains

Of all the different types of curtains names, hanging curtains are the most generic. This type of curtain refers to any model where the curtain hangs on either a pole or a rail.

Pelmets and Valances

Curtain pelmets and valances are additional adornments for curtains that help to enhance their appearance.

A pelmet is a framework placed above a window frame designed to conceal curtain fixtures and fittings. Usually, vendors make pelmets from custom-cut pieces of plywood and then covers them with fabric identical to that of the curtain. Pelmets come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit particular homes and window designs.

Valances have the same job as pelmets: hiding the curtain rail or pole. The difference is how they do it. Instead of placing a wooden board over the curtain fixtures, valances use fabric that drapes down over all the unsightly elements. Thus, they are a little bit like mini curtains for your curtains.