Curtains and drapes are arguably one of the most important pieces to buy for your home, even though they aren’t exactly furniture. They add that warm, cozy feeling and also provide a bit of privacy and protection from the sun. A home design that is put together nicely could feature a variety of different types of curtains and drapes depending on the style each room has in the home. Curtains and drapes are definitely one of the easiest pieces to elevate the look and feel of the home.
Best Fabrics for Curtains and Drapes
The best fabric for your new window decor is going to be specific to the use you have for buying them.
If you want something that will block out the sun and let you get your beauty rest, then consider buying curtains made of a thick, polyester or polyester-cotton blend. The easiest way to tell if your curtains will block out the sun is simply if the packaging says so.
For something more sheer and pretty looking, consider voile, silk, lace, linen, or even thin cotton. These curtains are typical ‘light-filtering’ and will cast beautiful shadows into your home, giving it a warm and cozy but well-lit feeling.
Types of Fabric Curtains
Although there are usually just a few types of curtains in department stores, there is an endless variety to be discovered. And because the nest wants to make sure that you are up-to-date on the most stylish and unique trends, we are custom-making our fabric curtains to fit your needs.
Paneled Curtains can sometimes be used as a single panel or two together in one window. Typically with single panels, they are held back by hooks or holders. These holders come in many different forms; some are nailed to the wall for stabilization while others hang freely with the curtain itself.
Pleated Curtains come in infinitely more varieties than paneled curtains because of their unique cinches. There are goblet, box, pencil, and pinch pleats to name a few. However, there are many more different types.
There are also a variety of ways that people refer to the style of the top of their curtains. This means, the part of the curtain where the rod goes through. Tab and tie tops are the most common designs but by no means are they the only ones.
While we already talked about blackout curtains, their sister is the energy-efficient curtain. Although Arizona never gets to be frigid, these are insulated to keep warmth in the cold months and to keep cold in, during the warm months.
Lastly, another popular style to note is the Cafe Curtain. These are usually sheer curtains that go on the window and pair with a valance. They are great for adding character to a space without becoming overbearing.
Combining Different Fabrics
Another way in which you can add lots of great energy to your nest is by pairing certain drapes with sheer curtains. This usually requires a window to have two separate curtain rods; on the rod closest to the window, a sheer curtain will block out small amounts of light, while the thicker drape on the outside adds color and dimension to the room.
The way in which you combine these is completely up to your own stylistic ideas. However, a good rule of thumb is to make sure that they are matching the rest of your room’s theme.
Typically the inner, sheer part of the design is called the ‘liner’. These can have intricate details or simply be like a sort of mesh. These are especially popular in dining and living rooms because they tend to seem expensive and add to the quality of the room in general. On top of this, these types of curtains tend to give guests a stronger sense of privacy than some other types of curtains.
What Types of Curtains to Use in Each Room
After learning about the different fabrics and types of curtains, it may be hard to choose which ones are going to look right in your home interior. The good news is that it’s up to you! Whatever you feel will look right in your own space is going to be what looks right.
However, if you’re still confused and worried that you may not pick the right curtains or drapes, here are a few ideas based on what is most commonly done:
- Bedrooms: Single or double paneled curtains. Occasionally these rooms will also have a sheer curtain but that depends on personal preferences, size, and style of the room.
- Living and Dining Rooms: Most commonly these have drapes with a liner curtain. However, many living rooms and dining areas also have blinds, shades, and panel curtains.
- Kitchens are very versatile in the sense that they do not have a specific type that works best. Depending on where your kitchen is, in relation to the other rooms of your house. Some kitchens may look best with a set of cafe curtains, while others can use a short paneled type.
- Bathrooms: Single panel. Not only is your bathroom window probably on the smaller side, but single panels are also great because they provide a good sense of comfort to the room and – unlike a sheer curtain – you cannot see through it.
Reach out to the Nest today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your dream home with new custom curtains!
