What Are Drapery Curtains and Valances? Exploring Elegant Window Treatments

 Drapery Curtains are soft window treatments that add color, texture and privacy to rooms. They’re available in a wide variety of lengths, widths and fabrics and come in a range of styles, including sheer, light filtering or room darkening. They can be layered or hung alone. They’re also a perfect complement to other window coverings, such as blinds, shades, shutters and window panels. They’re typically made of heavier fabrics, such as damask and silk. They’re typically lined with a light or heavy fabric to control the amount of sunlight that passes through them. As a result, drapery tends to be more formal in aesthetic and can make a dramatic statement in the room.

 A variety of lengths, widths and fabrics

Curtains are generally sold in pairs and can be found in a variety of lengths, widths and fabrics. They’re sold at home centers and big box stores as mass-produced, non-customized window treatments. They’re typically not a good fit for large windows and may be too short to fully cover the entire window frame. Curtains can be hung from rods at the top or on a traversing system above a window or door frame. They can be draped with a valance or with a panel underneath to create a full look in the space.

 Curtains or drapes to create an elegant style in a room

A valance is the most common type of window treatment that can be hung above curtains or drapes to create an elegant style in a room. Valances can be constructed with a wide variety of pleat styles, from sleek box pleats to more elaborate tuxedo pleats. They can be embellished with decorative hardware, such as rings, finials and tiebacks.

They’re not as full as a drape and are often sold unlined

They’re not as full as a drape and are often sold unlined, which allows some light to pass through them and can make the space feel more casual and open. However, they can still offer a high level of privacy and are often used to complement drapes in a more casual or relaxed room such as a family room.

According to Eugenia Triandos of Hibou Design & Co, drapes and curtains are different in that drapes are generally more formal looking than curtains. She recommends using them in spaces that require more privacy, such as bedrooms, while curtains are more suited to living rooms and dining areas.

 Drapes are usually heavier and can block out light more effectively than curtains

The difference between drapes and curtains also comes down to how much privacy you want and how much insulation is required. Drapes are usually heavier and can block out light more effectively than curtains, but they’re a great choice for those who want to keep their homes cool in the summer.

Both drapes and Drapery Curtains are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns and textures, making them a versatile choice for almost any style of décor. When it comes to choosing the right fabric for your project, it’s important to consider what you need the fabric to do, as this will influence its overall function and appearance.

Conclusion

Many people mistakenly think that a swag or valance is the same as a drape. While they both hang above a window, they differ in that drapes are sold in pairs and are typically lined with a lighter or heavier lining to manage light exposure and temperature control.