Draperies

Draperies by The Great Curtain Company in Austin, TX

The Importance of Custom Draperies in Interior Design

Draperies and curtains are fabric panels intended for covering windows. Window curtains purchased off the shelf from a store are only available in set sizes, colors, designs, and fabrics. Custom draperies can be cut and styled to any size and type of window. They are designed to your specifications and to complement your interior design and decor. At The Great Curtain Company, we have provided expert design consultations and custom draperies throughout Austin, TX for over 15 years. Our team excels at helping each client find the perfect style and fabric for draperies that transform their home and improve its comfort and beauty. Visit our showroom today or call us to discuss a design consultation.
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A store of The Great Curtain Company in Austin, TX

Types of Draperies and Curtains

With so many different types of custom draperies and curtains available, it’s easy to get confused. If it is your first time exploring the world of modern window drapery and curtains, our design team is happy to help. We can show you samples, give you a tour of our showroom, walk you through our completed projects, and even schedule a free virtual design consultation. To get started, take a look at the most common types of draperies and curtains:

Single-panel

Single-panel curtains and draperies are one panel designed to cover an entire window. They are pulled to the side when opened.

Panel pair

Panel pairs are installed on both sides of the window and can be pulled apart to open and towards each other to close.

Ripple fold

Ripple fold drapery is sleek and refined. It creates clean, curved lines, subtle highlights, and lowlights that complement contemporary interior design.

Tailored pleat

Tailored pleat drapery is streamlined and ideal for tall windows or sliding glass doors. It adds subtle visual interest without overwhelming the interior design of a room.

Pinch pleat

Traditionally made with heavy, thick fabrics, the pleats are stitched together at the top and pinched to create billowing folds that are elegant and formal. Available in two- to five-finger pleats.

Box pleat

Box pleat drapery has deep folds uninterrupted across the fabric. They offer full coverage and look tailored, neat, and clean.

Pencil pleat

Pencil pleat drapery has thin, single pleats that work best with lighter, more delicate fabrics. They are more casual and work well with curtain hooks.

Tab top

Tab top drapery is very casual and modern. It has curtain tabs or loops at the top of each panel through which the curtain rod is inserted.

Inverted pleat

Inverted pleat drapery is crisp, angular, and distinguished. It looks symmetrical and neat.

Goblet

Named for resembling a wine goblet, goblet pleats are delicate in structure and are typically used for decoration rather than function. They have a pinched and sewn pleat at the bottom of the curtain rod pocket, which creates a wine goblet appearance.

Grommet

Grommet curtains are very common and popular now for their modern, contemporary design. The curtain rod is inserted through large holes framed with metal grommets or rings. They can be used on single-panel or two-panel curtains and draperies.

Rod pocket

Rod pocket curtains are lightweight, sheer, and casual. The curtain rod is inserted through a stitched pocket or groove at the top of each panel.

Cubicle

Cubicle drapery creates soft, gentle pleats. It is relaxed, minimalist, and modern.

Tie top

Tie top curtains are old-fashioned and romantic. They have strips of fabric at the top of each panel that are tied around the curtain rod so the panel can hang down. They are used with sheer, lightweight fabric and look casual and informal.

Blackout

Blackout curtains are thick, heavy curtains fabricated from multiple layers of fabric. They offer superior privacy as well as light-blocking and noise-canceling properties.

Energy-efficient

Energy-efficient curtains are insulated curtains made of thick, heavy, thermal fabric. They prevent heat and cold loss and gain to keep your home more comfortable year-round. They also cut down on window drafts.

Window sill curtains

Window sill curtains are short panels that hang just above the edge of the window sill. They are used on smaller windows, like kitchen and bathroom windows.

Apron curtains

Apron curtains are also called half-length curtains. They are shorter and hang two to three inches below the window sill. They are used in homes with young children or pets.

Cafe curtains

Cafe curtains come in two sets for the tops and bottoms of the windows. They are typically installed on kitchen windows. They leave a gap of an open window that allows light in and allows you to see out.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Custom Draperies

You should consider custom draperies as an investment in your home’s future beauty and value. When you choose the right curtains and draperies, you enhance your home’s existing architecture, complement your interior design and decor, and create a focal point that adds visual interest. Our design team can help you choose the perfect custom draperies by considering these factors:

The type of drapery fabric you prefer

Heavier, thicker fabrics work best in larger rooms so that they won’t overwhelm the overall interior design. Lighter, airier fabrics complement the more romantic, modern interior design. Silk, linen, and velvet fabrics hang the best but are the hardest to clean and care for. Heavier, darker fabrics block out more light and sound and offer more privacy.

Placement

We will ensure optimal placement when you choose professional installation from our team. Installing the curtains above the top of the windows will make the windows appear taller, which creates the illusion of space in a room with lower ceilings. Installing the curtain rods so that they extend beyond the edges of your windows allows you to pull the curtains fully open to see more window glass.

Color or pattern

Keep in mind that the color of your curtains will likely fade over time due to UV exposure. Neutral colors will show less obvious signs of fading and discoloration. Choose the color and pattern of your curtains and draperies based on your interior design. Large, busy patterns are overwhelming and shouldn’t be used in smaller rooms or with busy patterns on the upholstery, wallpaper, or carpeting. Using neutral colors can brighten up a room and make it appear larger. Darker colors will create a marked delineation in the walls and draw attention to the windows.

Length

Your custom curtains and draperies can hang on the window sill, just above it, or all the way to the floor. Floor-length draperies are typically used for homes with high ceilings or in large rooms. Shorter curtains are more casual and don’t create a claustrophobic atmosphere in smaller rooms.

Pleating

The pleating you choose should complement your interior decor and the ambiance of your room.

Whether you need a lining

A curtain lining adds insulation, improves privacy, and increases the weight of the fabric so it hangs better. You shouldn’t use liners on gauzy, delicate fabric; however, you could consider using two window treatments for added privacy and light-blocking capabilities.
designer pleated curtains

Our Window and Drapery Services

Take a look at our custom drapery services to learn more about our available drapery styles and drapery fabrics, as well as our special options. In addition to design consultations and custom drapery services, we also offer professional measuring and installation services:

curtain loops

Why Choose The Great Curtain Company as Your Drapery Store

At The Great Curtain Company, we are passionate about helping our clients find the perfect draperies and curtains for their homes. We have helped thousands of clients pick out fabric for draperies and style their window drapery to enhance their home’s beauty, interior design, and architecture. Our dedicated design team is committed to providing beautiful, affordable products and guiding you through finding the perfect match for your home. Our custom draperies, curtains, and window treatments are handcrafted and custom-made in Texas or throughout America. No matter how challenging your window design or how little experience you have with window treatments, we will make the process fun, easy, and stress-free. We carry a wide variety of custom curtains and draperies and offer professional measurement and installation services. Our unwavering commitment to quality and value has made us a true leader in our industry.

Schedule a Consultation for Draperies Today

Call us today, contact us online, or visit our showroom for a personalized, immersive experience in choosing custom drapery in Austin, TX. We can help you find the perfect window treatments and ensure they are correctly fabricated, installed, and cared for so they have long lives beautifying your home.

Ready to take the next step? You are just a few clicks away from designing the room of your dreams.

Let our design team assist you in choosing the perfect fit for your home.
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