Curtain Styles & Types: The Ultimate Guide

Image by RawPixel

As you shop for a new window treatment, you might be surprised to discover how many different curtain styles and types there actually are! It can be quite overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been introduced to the variety of options that are out there.

Your curtain choice will be influenced by the look and functionality required in your space and even by the cost of the curtains. To give you an idea, curtains for boho homes will feature lightweight fabrics like linens and sheers, whereas a traditional house will flaunt heavy drapes made of regal velvets or silks. Again on the other hand, curtains for attic windows or basement windows that are odd-shaped and small will need special considerations and won’t be the same as their polar opposite like long-wide curtains for bay windows or sliding glass doors.

So, while you’re making your choice, use this ultimate guide to curtain styles for assisstance. We’re here to help you make the perfect selection for your home!

Order your custom curtains from Spiffy Spools online in any size. We have over 3,000 fabrics and patterns to pick from, so you can match them to your home perfectly.

Curtain Types

As you’re browsing for window treatments, these are the most common curtain types you’re likely to encounter:

Standard Curtains

If you’d like, you can purchase standard curtains for your home. Typically, there are three standard curtain sizes:

• 84 inches
• 96 inches
• 108 inches

We suggest straying away from the 84-inch option. These are usually quite short, unless you have low ceilings.

Keep in mind that your curtains will always look better when you measure your window and design them to meet your exact specifications. This way, you can increase the fullness of your curtains to create beautiful folds and lengthen them to fall just how you like.

Blackout Curtains

Marine Sabz

Blackout curtains make excellent candidates as master bedroom curtains, media room curtains, office curtains, game room curtains, nursery curtains, and more spaces where the functionality of curtains overpower aesthetic needs. One of the top reasons to get blackouts is their unique ability to block 100% of the sun’s rays, ensuring no light passes through. They also offer a variety of other benefits, as well:

• Block sound. Blackout curtains reduce external sound, so you won’t be bothered by outside noises throughout the day or while you’re trying to sleep.
• Regulate temperature. Blackout curtains will keep rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Not only will your space always be at the optimal temperature, but your utility bills may also decrease!
• Eliminate glare. If you want to eliminate glare in your home theater, media room, or office, blackout curtains promise to deliver.
• Improve quality of sleep. By muffling external noises and preventing harsh sunlight from entering your space, blackout curtains ensure you’ll get a better night’s sleep.

Roman Shades

Do you love the functionality of blinds but wish they were more aesthetically appealing? Then roman shades may be the perfect type of curtain for you. When closed, they cover the window with one smooth piece of fabric. When open, they stack evenly from the bottom in neat folds, which rest at the top of the window frame.

There are three different styles of roman shades to choose from at Spiffy Spools:

Image by Classic & Modern Home

Flat Fold Roman Shades with Back Slats

With this style, no seams are visible in the fabric when closed, because the horizontal slats are stitched into the back lining. If you’re aiming for a sleek, minimalistic look, this is the roman shade style for you. Also, since they’re extremely easy to open and close, this style is a great option for frequently used windows.

Flat Fold Roman Shades with Front Slats

When closed, the fabric of these shades is broken into even, horizontal panels. This is another great selection for windows that you open and close often, because they also stack smoothly from the bottom in crisp folds when open.

Image by Sarah Bartholomew Design

Relaxed Roman Shades

Relaxed roman shades are primarily decorative, because they’re stationary. However, they’re beautifully designed with a smooth front fabric that falls into a gentle curve at the bottom. For less frequently used windows, this is a great option that adds plenty of character and charm to the space.

Café Curtains

Image by Martha Stewart

Café curtains are a cute and cozy option that match wonderfully with rustic and country décor. They’re traditionally quite short—specifically, café curtains are about half the length of a window and are hung across the center of the pane. However, they can also be hung at the top of the frame as a stylish accent piece.

The short length of café curtains offers many benefits and makes them versatile enough to work in a variety of spaces. For instance, in a kitchen or bathroom, they’re ideal for maintaining privacy while still allowing in plenty of natural light. They’re also short enough to avoid being a fire hazard while cooking, and they remain out of reach from any potential splashes from the sink, shower, or tub. In addition, café curtains won’t overcrowd your smaller windows or spaces.

There are two ways you can style café curtains. Either choose to use a single panel, or go with double panels that rest on both sides of the window when opened. To help decide which option is right for you, consider what you want from your curtains. If you’re going for style, you might consider a single panel design that better showcases the fabric without distortion. If your main concern is light control, double panels are much easier to open and close, so they may be the better choice.

Ripplefold Drapes

Image by Win Works Design

Ripplefold drapes are one of the most modern window treatments you can find. Their evenly-spaced eyelets create uniform, tailored folds for a sleek, no-fuss look. The symmetrical design holds patterns beautifully with minimal distortion, and they stack neatly when open to maintain the uncluttered aesthetic. If you’re searching for a window treatment that matches your contemporary home, you have to purchase ripplefold drapes!

Valances

Image by The Designer Touch

Valances are gorgeous decorative pieces placed at the top of the window frame. They often cover about a fourth of the pane, and they wonderfully soften incoming light. If you want to add a nice punch of color to your window, valances can provide subtle charm.

Valances are great as a standalone look, but you can also layer them over curtains, blinds, or shades for additional light control and style. Plus, they’ll conceal your curtain hardware if you prefer it not to be visible.

Curtain Fabric

It’s important that you select your curtain fabric carefully. Certain fabrics are much more casual, while others are very formal. That said, you need to pick a fabric that matches the formality level and décor of your space. Below are some of the most common fabrics for curtains:

Cotton

Aztec

Cotton is a great choice for casual to semi-formal spaces. This medium-weight fabric is soft, clean, and crisp, which is perfect for dressing up or down. Plus, it amplifies colors and comes in a variety of textures for an even more dynamic look. One of the most versatile curtain fabric options available, you can rarely go wrong with cotton curtains.

Linen

Leh Eshaan

This lightweight fabric should also be reserved for casual to semi-formal spaces. Ideal for rustic décor, the rough, natural weave is often the focal point of the fabric, offering a unique textural component. Linen is also great for filtering sunlight, providing you with a soft glow. Light, neutral colors will create an elegant look, while bolder colors and patterns are often more playful.

Sheer

Cloud White

Another option for casual to semi-formal spaces, you’ll absolutely love the look of sheer curtains. This is the lightest fabric option you can find, and its relaxed airiness is one of its greatest appeals. Sheers also filter natural light beautifully, creating a breathtaking, warm glow that brightens up any space. For an ethereal feel, sheer fabric is the way to go.

Silk

Weston Harvest Beige

Silk curtain should be reserved for formal spaces. This luxurious, heavyweight fabric has a shimmery appearance that’s meant to draw your eye to its smooth, glamorous presence. Silk truly falls like a dream, displaying a plethora of elegant waves. A truly tasteful fabric, silk is a superb option for your curtains.

Velvet

Wishing Well

Perhaps just a step more formal than silk, velvet works best in formal living spaces. This type of fabric is all about drama, opulence, and romance. It’s sure to be the focal point of any room. Heavy and bold, this plush option simply exudes luxury and class. You won’t be disappointed by this high-end fabric!

Curtain Patterns

The options are seemingly infinite when it comes to curtains patterns! Whether you’d like to keep it simple with a solid or try something a little more daring, you’re sure to find a selection that fits your design needs at Spiffy Spools.

Solid Curtains

Gelby Frienden

Patterns & Prints

Como

Cremona

Colorblock Curtains

Image by American-Elm

Curtain Heading Styles

A curtain isn’t complete without its heading, which is the top area of the curtain where it will be hung. Here are some popular types of curtain heading styles that you should become familiar with:

Heading Styles with Metal Rings & Hooks

The following styles are hung using metal rings and hooks. These are the only options that work for curtain tracks, but they can also be used with a curtain rod. They perfectly match more contemporary décor:

• Pinch pleats
• Flat-panel tops
• Inverted box pleats
• Pencil pleats

Heading Styles Sewn Into the Fabric

These heading styles feature eyelets or fabric loops that are sewn into the top of the fabric. No additional hardware is necessary to hang curtains with these heading styles—simply slip the heading through the curtain rod, hang the rod, and evenly distribute the fabric to complete the look:

• Grommet tops
• Back tab tops
• Rod pockets
• Tab tops
• Tie tops

If you’d like to learn more about curtain heading styles, explore our Headings Style Guide!

Order Custom Curtains From Spiffy Spools

We hope this ultimate guide on curtain styles and types assists you as you shop for your new window treatments! If you’re ready to shop, order custom curtains from Spiffy Spools today. With over 1,000 fabrics to choose from, we make it easy to design curtains that fit your exact specifications. Explore our site to find the perfect options for your home! And whether you have queries on sizing & pricing, or simply looking for tips to decorate a foyer or kitchen, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!