Breaking down the types of home curtains available to you
You might not immediately think of the curtains when you think of a room centrepiece. You also might be surprised by how much impact they have on the aesthetic, comfort level and functionality of space within your home. For these reasons, it’s not surprising that there’s much to choose from when it comes to types of home window curtains, with different curtains used for various reasons.
To help you start thinking about what curtains will be the best fit for the space you have in mind, we will break down some of the different types of curtains you can find at Empire Window Furnishings. We’ll explore your fabric options and pleat types, meaning that you’ll have the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
Choosing a suitable fabric type for your curtains
You have three main options when it comes to curtain fabric types, with each serving a different purpose:
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Blockout curtains: as the name suggests, blockout curtains will completely prevent light from entering your room when they are closed. These are perfect for use in the bedroom, especially if you struggle to sleep, and in your lounge for those cosy family movie nights. As well as giving you great control over the amount of light entering your room, blockout curtains are very effective at preventing heat loss, which can keep temperatures up and energy bills low during the winter months.
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Sheer curtains: at the other end of the spectrum are sheer curtains. They allow in the most light and remove glare; they are perfect for use in spaces like living and rumpus rooms. Sheer curtains are also particularly effective in otherwise aesthetically-busy rooms, as their simple sophistication provides calm and soft light.
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Light filtering curtains: somewhere in the middle are light filtering curtains. They provide you with the most overall control over how much light you let into a space and create whatever mood you desire in a room. For example, if you want to create a welcoming, warming glow in a room, you can achieve this easily using light filtering curtains without buying a whole range of different lamps and other lighting fixtures.
Choosing a curtain pleat type
The pleat of a curtain refers to how its folds look when hung. Pleats are created by folding the stiffer material at the back of a curtain and inserting hooks to ensure they stay in shape. The different pleat types in curtains have a significant impact on their overall look, and below we’ll break down some of the most common options available to you:
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Pinch pleated heading: The most popular heading we offer at Empire Window Furnishings, pinched pleats provide the curtain with uniform folds and create a classic and sophisticated look.
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Twin pleats: A slight variation on pinch pleating involves doubling up groups of pleats, separated by flat fabric sections.
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Gathered heading: This is a less traditional aesthetic that tends to be best suited to smaller windows or shorter drop curtains.
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Knife pleats: These are used as sheer curtains and form one of a series of drapes that are all folded in the same direction behind the main drape.
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Inverted pleats: Also sometimes referred to as box pleats, inverted pleats add great texture and depth to your window furnishing. Like roll pleats, these are ideal if you’re looking to create a modern feel in your space.
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S-wave pleats: This pleat type is used almost exclusively with sheer curtains. Again, they provide fantastic texture for your curtains and have a sculpted look that will go particularly well in a modern home.
Hopefully, with this knowledge under your belt, you’re starting to feel more confident about the different types of curtains and what fabric and pleat style are best suited to your vision. If you’re looking for more advice or recommendations about selecting, measuring or installing the suitable curtains for your home, get in touch with the team at Empire Window Furnishings today.
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