Custom Drapery Panel Styles
With so many options available, the world of draperies can seem like an endless tunnel of fabric selections, hardware varieties, and panel styles. When it comes to weighing the significance of functionality or aesthetics, there are many decisions to consider. Happily, Studio L Interior Design has developed a guide to help understand different types of drapery and how to choose which drapery panel style is perfect for you!
PLEATED DRAPERY
Pleated panels are a timeless drapery style. Their ability to effortlessly glide open and close on a rod makes this drapery style your best option if you’re planning on opening and closing the drapery panels often. There are several styles of pleats, all of which are sewn into a panel’s top edge to create that distinguished decorative header.
POPULAR TYPES OF DRAPERY PLEATS EXPLAINED
PINCH PLEAT - the pleat consists of 1, 2, or 3 folds of evenly spaced fabric “pinched” about 3 inches down from the top of the panel. While the pinch pleat drapery style is more traditional, it is easily made contemporary with a bold pattern choice.
EURO PLEAT - the pleat still consists of 2 or 3 folds of fabric, but it is pinched at the top of the panel.
GOBLET PLEAT - have a very sophisticated shape to them. Pleating is pinched and is embellished with a stiffening paper or card to form a wine glass silhouette. This type of pleat gives your drapery a fresh and distinctive designer look.
BOX PLEAT - a less formal heading on drapery panels that are beautifully crafted and tailored to use on stationary panels that don’t open and close. The fabric is gathered and sewn together to form a neat and tidy square at the top of the drapery panels and hold that shape all the way down to the bottom.
OTHER DRAPERY STYLES
When pleated draperies are not your cup of tea, there are several other drapery styles, ranging from functional to decorative, that do not center their design around pleats.
FLAT PANEL - No pleats, just a straight drapery panel. Flat panel drapery can be afunctional, simple or sophisticated, to fit your room or space styling.
GROMMET STYLE - Grommet Drapery is hung from a rod via a series of large grommets rings, installed on the top hem. Panels can be pulled open or closed by hand while maintaining a deep folding contour. In addition to the many drapery materials and color selections at your fingertips, grommets also come in a variety of finishes.
ROD POCKET STYLE - Primarily used for decorative purposes, Rod Pocket drapery style is a classic, casual, and traditional choice. This type of panel is simply a flat panel that has a pocket sewn on the top of the curtain so a rod or pole can be inserted for hanging. The fullness of this drapery design is created by the gathered fabric near the rod pocket. Rod-pocket panels are normally kept in a closed position or held back with decorative tiebacks.
TAB-TOP PANELS - Tab-top panels, is a stationary drapery style due to the loops of fabric sewn into or onto the panel’s top seam. The panel hangs flat from these tabs, making this type of window treatment a perfect way to showcase fabric prints and patterns.