Common Curtain Designs

There are many types of curtain design you could choose from, but these would all obviously depend on factors such as the style of the room or the window itself, the fabric the curtain is manufactured from, and other issues such as privacy. Below is a list of the most common designs found on curtains today.

Swags - is a fabric that is hung from two different points each side of the top of the actual window and which then drapes down the centre, creating a kind of decorative feature over an individual window.

Casement Curtains (panel curtains, rod pocket, pole top curtains) - the fabric of this type of curtain forms a type of pocket along the top, through which the curtain rail is fed. The curtains are intended to be tied back as the top is difficult to move along the rail.

Bishop's Sleeve - is based loosely on the rod pocket design but uses an additional length to hang in loose folds. Tiebacks are used to gather each side in to produce a puffy effect.

Jabots - is pleated fabric used as a type of frame down the side of swags. It tends to give the window an old fashioned appearance and is usually around two-thirds in length of the whole window.

Tab Top - curtains are designed for use mainly in cafes and restaurants where they will not be drawn regularly. This is because tab top curtains do not move easily across their rails or poles.

Pleated Curtains (French pleat, triple pleat, pinch pleat) - are curtains that require a hook to fasten them into place and place the curtain on its track. The top of the curtains produce a fan-like appearance due to the pleats being pinched at the bottom.

Rosettes - are used as finishing touches to curtains and be in the form of a choux, a rosette or a bow.

Tie Tip - curtains are also ideal for cafeterias and restaurants and are typically manufactured from lightweight types of fabric. Strips of fabric are use at the top to attach the curtain to the pole.

Ruffled Curtains - are ideal for producing a rustic look to any property, or to add the air of living in a country home.

As you can see from the above, there are many types of designs you can go for when choosing your curtains. These are just a small sample of the types of design you can find on the market, but you can see that there is something to suit all tastes and budgets.

At the end of the day, if you are struggling to find the right types of curtain for your home, you could always design your own. What better way to get a more personalised pair of curtains? You will not only be showing your design talents, you will also end up with something you can be rightly proud of when you show them off to friends and family.