​CURTAINS

Both curtains and drapes consist of panels of fabric; it is how they are attached at the top that determines which category they fall into. By definition, curtains are gathered on a rod or attached to it by tabs, ties or rings. They are generally stationary; if they are opened and closed, it is done by hand. Curtains can be as simple as a flat panel tied back above the sash, pleated to resemble a drape, or voluminous creations. They can also be any length, from café style, which covers only the lower half of a window, to full-length curtains that reach to the floor.

DRAPES

​These are the mainstay of window fashions. By definition, drapes are pleated panels that hang from hooks that attach to small slides on a rod. You open and close the panels by a cord that moves the slides along a track. The rod itself may either be covered by the panel or exposed. Pinch-pleated styles are traditional, but numerous variations exist. The length of your drapes can have great impact. For a clean, casual look, hang drapes so that they just touch the floor. For a more dramatic effect, allow the fabric to puddle four to six inches on the floor in luxurious folds.
The size of the room, the height of the windows, and the scale of the treatment will suggest the appropriate hardware for your drapes. Mount rods directly to the window frame or to the wall above it, depending on the look you want to achieve. To create the illusion of added height, hang the rod higher than the window frame.