First, let’s clarify the nomenclature. Curtains go by many names, some are actually a distinction and some refer to the same thing. These names include: curtains, curtains, curtains, curtains, curtain panels and curtain panels. I think there is even some confusion among so-called experts and if you were to ask the average person what the difference is between curtains and draperies, I bet they wouldn’t know. Aren’t they all the same? Apparently not.
Curtains and curtain panels are the same thing. According to Better Homes and Gardens, “Curtains are generally lightweight, unlined, and suspended from a rod by simple tabs, rings, or a rod pocket casing.” A rod pocket cover is simply a flap sewn into the top of the curtain where you push the rod to hang it. Curtains are decorative, casual, and easy to do yourself, if you choose. Imagine, a country house with open sheer curtains, a typical way to use them. They don’t do much for light control, but they do add warmth and color to a room. Lastly, curtain panels can go all the way to the floor or just long enough to cover the window frame. If you add a lining to the curtain panels, you start to get closer to the look of the curtain panels.
Draperies, curtains, and drapery panels are the same thing and are typically lined and floor-length and, again, according to Better Homes and Gardens, “…are often attached with hooks to a rod transverse. A rope mechanism hanging behind the left or right panel draws both panels open and closed.” Here we have moved to a more formal mechanized window covering, as opposed to curtains that you would open and close by hand. Curtains are often, but not always, pleated and offer a much fuller and richer look. This also affects how much space they take up when fully open. The term for this is “stacking”. The way to understand stacking is to imagine how much space or width all this fabric takes up at opposite ends of the window when it’s fully open. So if your window or sliding glass doors (which require more fabric) have minimal wall space around them, you may want to consider curtain panels that take up less space.
As for fabrics, both for curtains and curtains, the options are many and varied. You can dress your window for a more formal look with fabrics like dupioni silk, velvet, faux dupioni or you can dress in linen and cotton. Most of these fabrics can also come textured if you want that look.
When it comes to color options, the sky is the limit. There are solid colors, patterns, checks, stripes, sheer fabrics and more. Therefore, when it comes to interior decoration, curtains and drapes are one of the most versatile window treatment options available.
When it comes to curtains, there are still a few more options available that will affect the look. These are French pleats, also known as pinch pleats, which is the traditional drapery look with a three-finger bunching of fabric that is pinched a few inches below the top of the drapery. Then there is the inverted pleat option where the pleats meet at the top of the curtain rather than flare out like the French pleat. Grommet curtains come with built-in rings or grommets that are sewn into the fabric at the top of the curtain. With these you can simply weave the rod to hang. Lastly, there is the rod pocket style. These curtains have a pocket sewn into the top of the curtain that receives the crossbar.