Curtains are a crucial element of home decor, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. They effectively block light and contribute significantly to completing a room’s look by introducing colors and patterns. With a wide variety of styles, lengths, and materials available, choosing the right type of curtains can significantly enhance your living space.
Learn how to select the perfect curtains to suit your home’s needs and style preferences.
01. Blackout Curtains
Best for: Bedrooms
Blackout curtains are specifically designed to completely block out light, thereby allowing for total darkness to promote a restful night’s sleep. Their thickly woven lining effectively prevents any light from filtering through. Beyond regulating light, blackout curtains also play a role in regulating temperature, keeping drafts out in the winter and hot air out in the summer.
02. Curtains With Tiebacks
Best for: Bedrooms and living rooms
Curtain tiebacks are both a decorative and practical addition to window panels. They typically come included with the curtains and are made from the same material—though you’ll also find them crafted from woven cords embellished with tassels or a complementary fabric or pattern. They are held in place by two loops on either end, which are secured into a hook mounted on the wall.
03. Pleated Panel Curtains
Best for: Formal living spaces and bedrooms
If you aim to infuse an elegant and slightly dressy look into your windows, pleated panel curtains are a beautiful choice. The pleats are formed from multiple fabric folds that are neatly bunched together to create fullness. They hang gently and uniformly, offering a timeless and sophisticated feel.
04. Single Panel Curtains
Best for: Small windows, achieving a modern look
A smaller window may only necessitate one curtain panel instead of two. It is typically made from one continuous piece of fabric. You always have the option to purchase two panels for either side of the window or even double up on panels on both sides for larger windows or sliding doors.
05. Double Panel Curtains
Best for: Bay windows, French doors, and sliding doors
As the name suggests, double curtain panels are composed of two single panels, one positioned on each side of the window. When purchasing your window treatments, it’s crucial to carefully read the product description to ascertain whether the product contains one or two panels.
06. Pinch Pleat Curtains
Best for: Formal living spaces and bedrooms
Pinch pleat curtains will add a distinctly decorative touch to your windows if you’re seeking extra detailing. A classic pinch pleat is formed from three tight fabric folds that create a fan-like detail at the very top of the curtain panel, with the pleats gently fanning out towards the ground.
07. Grommet Curtains
Best for: Windows where you frequently open and close the curtains
Grommet curtains are remarkably easy to open and close quickly, thanks to how smoothly they slide along the rod. The panels feature round metal rings built directly into the top part, eliminating the need for separate curtain rings since the rod slides directly through the holes punched into the fabric. These curtains create a clean, modern, and uncluttered look, perfect for streamlined, contemporary, and transitional spaces.
08. Cafe Curtains
Best for: Kitchens and bathrooms
Cafe curtains differ from other types of curtains in that they only cover the bottom portion of the window, allowing light to filter in through the top while still providing essential privacy. They can be easily installed using a small tension rod instead of a permanent rod and are most commonly used in spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms.
09. Tab Top Curtains
Best for: Informal spaces
Tab top curtains are designed with loops at the top, crafted from the same fabric as the panel, and hang directly from a curtain rod. Like grommet and rod pocket curtains, they do not require separate curtain rings. Sometimes, instead of sewn-on loops, they feature sewn-on ties that add an extra decorative element.
10. Floor Length Curtains
Best for: Living spaces, bedrooms
Use floor-length curtains to visually extend the height of the ceiling, making a room feel larger and more expansive. A common mistake is hanging curtains too low, which can make the ceiling appear low and heavy. The general rule of thumb is to hang them two-thirds of the way between the window frame and the ceiling, positioning them closer to the ceiling for an elongated effect.
11. Apron Length Curtains
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, and rooms where the space directly under the window is obstructed
Apron-length curtains fall just below the window sill. While generally not as popular as they were in past decades, they remain a practical choice for spaces with furniture or a heater positioned directly under the window, preventing the fabric from interfering with these items.
12. Puddle Length Curtains
Best for: Living spaces and bedrooms
“Puddling” refers to the specific length of the curtain panel—instead of simply touching the ground or having a subtle one-inch break, puddle-length curtains literally “puddle” or gather on the floor to create a dramatic yet soft and luxurious look. The only potential drawback to this style of curtains is that they can collect more dust, necessitating more frequent washing.
13. Light Filtering Curtains
Best for: Rooms where you don’t need complete darkness
Light-filtering curtains are not completely transparent like sheer curtains, but they allow significantly more light to pass through compared to room-darkening or blackout curtains. They offer a degree of privacy and effectively block direct, harsh sunlight while permitting plenty of diffused light to filter into the room. They are typically made from thinner, loosely woven, lightweight fabrics, commonly cotton or polyester.
14. Window Scarf Curtains
Best for: Traditional-style and formal rooms
You will predominantly encounter window scarf curtains in traditional-style rooms. Their fabric often coordinates with or perfectly matches the upholstery within the room. These curtains are typically composed of three pieces—two standard curtain panels and a decorative valance draped over the panels like a scarf, creating an elaborate top treatment.
15. Rod Pocket
Best for: Standard-size windows and saving money
Rod pocket curtains are one of the most common types of curtains available. They feature a sleeve or channel at the top specifically designed for slipping onto the curtain rod. Some fit quite firmly on the rod and are therefore not ideal for frequent opening and closing. The pocket may sometimes have a small ruffle above it, so remember to account for the size of this ruffle when calculating how low to hang the rod from the ceiling. Because of their popularity, they are usually available in a vast array of styles, fabrics, and price points, tending to be a more budget-friendly option. The pockets themselves come in different sizes to accommodate various rod diameters.
16. Goblet Pleat
Best for: Formal bedrooms and living rooms
Goblet pleat drapes infuse an undeniable elegance into any formal space. The top part of these drapes, also referred to as goblet pinch pleats, is shaped distinctly like a goblet. The fabric is meticulously pinched, similar to how one would pinch the stem of a goblet with fingers, with the upper cylindrical part resembling the bowl of a goblet. Whenever you pinch or pleat fabric, it inherently requires more material, resulting in a more voluminous and drapey appearance. This added volume significantly contributes to the luxurious feel.
17. Thermal
Best for: Energy efficiency, reducing light in a room, cost savings
Thermal insulated curtains are so named because they effectively retain heat in winter by reducing draughts and also help to block out sunlight when you aim to reduce cooling costs during hot months. These curtains are constructed from special insulated fabric. By utilizing them, you can increase your home’s energy efficiency and potentially save money on utility bills over time.
18. Ripple Fold
Best for: Giving the room a soft, modern look
Also known as wave drapery, ripple fold drapes work with a specialized ripple fold rod or track system and clips that allow you to create continuous waves or “S” curves along the track. When drawn closed, the top ripples or waves remain consistent and are held in place by the snaps or clips. These consistent curves give the room a lush and sophisticated feeling. Additionally, when opened, the fabric folds neatly on itself, allowing more light into the room without the thick bunching often associated with traditional pleated curtains.
19. Half Curtains
Best for: Small windows in kitchens and bathrooms
Half curtains add a touch of privacy and functionality, along with a considerable amount of charm, to your home. They work best for smaller windows, such such as those found in a powder room or positioned over a kitchen sink. They slide onto a small rod that is placed halfway up the window, and typically require a single or double panel, depending on the window’s width. These petite curtains are available in many attractive patterns and designs, often featuring appealing trim and other detailing. Their primary purpose is to offer privacy for the lower half of the window while still allowing abundant natural light to stream in through the uncovered top portion. As a delightful bonus, they introduce color, texture, and a cozy aesthetic touch to your space.
20. Asymmetrical Curtains
Best for: Single-panel curtain windows where the curtain is primarily decorative
Perhaps you have smaller windows covered with single curtain panels, and while you appreciate the color and texture the curtains provide, you don’t feel a strong need for their privacy or light-blocking functionality. Enter: asymmetrical curtains. This curtain method utilizes one panel per window (so you won’t need to purchase a second panel for each window) but positions it in a way that it won’t block light, nor will it appear messy or simply shoved off to the side.
To achieve this look, simply invest in a single curtain tieback per window and secure them into the wall on the same side for all windows. Then, stretch out the single curtain panel from one corner to the opposite corner to fully cover your window initially. Leaving the curtain at least partially spread open (covering at least a third of the rod or more), gently gather the curtain to one side and elegantly tuck it into the tieback. The asymmetrical look feels intentional and cohesive if all of the windows in the space match this arrangement.
21. Ceiling Height
Best for: Any application where you would typically use floor-length curtains or puddling curtains
Curtains that gracefully graze the ceiling perform wonders in adding height and a sense of grand scale to a room. Even if your window is positioned a few feet below the ceiling line, hanging the curtain rod as high as possible will create an exceptionally elegant and elongated look. If you choose this route, ensure your curtains are at least long enough to comfortably touch the floor. As an added bonus: If you possess long curtains you adore but are not fond of the “puddle” look, opting for a ceiling-height installation will save you the time and effort of hemming your panels. As previously mentioned, you should aim to go as high as your room allows. However, if your room features decorative crown molding, strategically position your rod just below it to allow the intricate millwork to truly shine.
Choosing Curtains
To select the right type of curtains for your home, go through a comprehensive checklist of considerations to effectively narrow down your choice.
- Think about the room they will hang in. The curtains you choose for a bedroom, for instance, will differ greatly from those you would need for a kitchen window. Velvet curtains, for example, can instantly add a designer look to even small bedrooms.
- Decide how much light you want to filter through. Will you be sleeping in the room and require complete darkness, as achieved with blackout curtains? Or do you wish to softly diffuse sunlight, as light-filtering curtains are designed to do?
- Factor in the overall style of your home.
- Take careful measurements of your window. Follow a reliable hanging guide to hang curtains like a designer, ensuring a professional and polished appearance.
FAQ
Which curtain style is the most popular?
Rod pocket curtains are widely considered the most common style of curtain.
What is the difference between curtains and drapes?
While drapes and curtains are often used interchangeably to define window coverings, drapes generally tend to be thicker, heavier fabric panels and are usually floor length or longer (often “puddling” on the floor), suggesting a more formal application.
Which type of curtain is the most budget-friendly?
Prefabricated panel curtains of standard sizes will typically be the most budget-friendly option. Many department stores with home furnishings sections will carry a wide selection of these. Inexpensive curtains made from materials like cotton, linen, or other natural fabrics can often appear much pricier than curtains with a synthetic sheen, offering a high-end look without the premium cost.