Drapes vs Curtains: What’s the Difference and What Should You Choose?

Window coverings play many roles. They keep out the light, they prevent dust from settling indoors, and they add to the aesthetics of any interior.

There isn’t just one type of window covering, however. We often refer to all of them as curtains, but there are also drapes as well as other styles.

When it comes to drape vs curtain, there are important differences. In this piece, we are going to outline the main points to help you decide and be clear on what’s the difference between drapes and curtains.

All About Curtains

Let’s start the drape vs curtain debate with a brief guide to curtains. As you must know, they come in a huge variety of textures, fabrics, colours, and patterns. This means that whatever the style of your interior, you will always find curtains to match.

Why are curtains important? First of all, they increase privacy. When you draw the curtains, you create a space within the room that outside eyes cannot look into.

Then, curtains regulate the amount of sunlight that enters a room. This is a vital role in spaces where you need shade to relax and sleep. In the same way, curtains regulate dust that may enter from outside.

There are also lined vs unlined curtains. In lined curtains, more light is kept out of the room. If unlined, the curtains are lighter and can let in the breeze.

Last but not least, curtains play an important part in interior décor. They can complement or contrast the rest of the space and add a touch of luxury, not to mention comfort.

What to Know About Drapes

Now, let’s look at drapes. First of all, they perform many of the same functions as curtains. That is, keeping out the light and dust, creating privacy, and playing a role in how your interiors look. Those are the similarities in drape vs curtain.

However, when it comes to drape vs curtain, there are also dissimilarities that you should keep in mind.

• A key difference is that drapes are lined with heavier fabric. This has the ability to block out more outside light than curtains.
• The fabric of drapes, too, is heavier than curtains. There can even be drapes that are made of stiff fabric, such as types of velvet or silk.
• Most often, drapes come in solid and dark colours. This is unlike curtains, which are available in a variety of patterns and shades.
• Most curtains hang from rods by hooks and can be drawn open or shut sideways. Most drapes also hang from rods and are rolled up or down.

Other Window Coverings

In the drape vs curtain discussion, we should not ignore the fact that there are also many other types of window coverings available. Let’s look at some of them.

• Roman shades are one long piece of thick fabric attached to a window that can be rolled up. When rolled down, they lie flat against the window.
• Shutters are typically made of wood or plastic. These are slats attached to a window that can be opened to let in strips of light, or shut, to completely close the space.
• Blinds come in a large variety of forms and shapes. These are overlapping pieces that can be controlled by cords or levers. They can be made from fabric, aluminium, plastic and even wood. You can choose from vertical blinds and Venetian blinds, among other types. The main difference between curtains and blinds is that blinds allow you more control over the amount of light.

Are blinds or curtains better? The answer to that question depends upon the space and your needs. Often, even when curtains are completely drawn, they let in some light. This is suitable for living and dining rooms, for example.

However, in a bedroom, you may want as little light as possible. In such a case, you can look at blinds. If blinds are not suitable, you can also decide between room darkening vs blackout curtains.

What Should You Choose for Your Windows?

This brings us to the question that now must be on your mind: when it comes to drape vs curtain, what sort of window covering should I choose?

As we have suggested, there is no one right answer. In the case of blackout blinds vs curtains, for example, the first can be used in rooms where a complete absence of light is necessary.

You can even mix and match various types of window coverings in your home, depending on the needs of the room. If you do this, you should ensure that they work together seamlessly and do not look disjointed. One way is to choose the same shades and patterns.

Once you have decided on drape vs curtain, you’ll be pleased to know that HomeLane has several other guides to bring out the best in your interiors. For example, design trends to refresh your living room.

FAQs

1. What Is the Difference between Drape vs Curtain?

Curtains are fabric window coverings. Most often, they are tailored to fit a window. Drapes are generally made from thicker fabric and can reach the floor. Both of them provide light control and privacy.

2. What Are the Types of Curtains?

There are many different types of curtains. One differentiation is of fabric. Curtains can be sheer or thick, functional or decorative. Another point of difference is whether they are rolled up from the floor or drawn from the sides. Curtains can also be of different lengths. They can cover the whole window or just the top and sides.

3. Are Drapes Out of Style?

Drapes will always be in style for certain types of rooms and interiors. They are effective in keeping light away in places where it is not required. They can also complement a minimal and modern décor in cases where curtains may look too decorative.