The ultimate guide to draping curtains in your home
Transform your home with creative flair by embracing the art of draping curtains—a sophisticated alternative that adds beauty, light, warmth, and personality to your living space.
Why be drab when you can drape? The curtains in your home are a design opportunity you can’t afford to ignore. Not only do they hang between your home’s interior and the outside world, but they also offer an opportunity for beauty, light, warmth and personality. If you want to make the most of your curtains, draping is a creative and sophisticated alternative to traditional curtain styling.
What you need to know about draping curtains
Curtains, blinds, shades, and drapes are all different window treatments. Curtains are a length of fabric, which may or may not be lined, and are hung to cover your windows. Drapes are also a length of fabric, usually a lighter fabric than used for curtains, and in contrast, they are always lined.
The important thing to note is that “draping” is a verb. Draping refers to a way of hanging fabric that’s different from the traditional method (which is to hang fabric from a curtain rod or pole above your window). Draping involves draping fabric around a curtain rod or pole.
And, there’s an art to it. Here are a few things to remember if you decide to drape your curtains.
Some of the best fabrics to use when you’re draping your curtains
Not all fabric is created equal. When it comes to draping your curtains, some fabrics work better than others. You want a fabric that will survive daily wear and tear, and you need a lighter fabric as this will drape better.
To test how drapable a fabric is, simply hold it and let it fall in waves over your arm. See how it moves and hangs. The ideal draping fabric will fall loosely and delicately.
Silk fabric. Silk has a luxurious quality to it and drapes effortlessly. A lightweight silk won’t be too slippery, and when layered over curtain rods it gives the appearance of a coursing ocean of fabric - especially if it comes to pool on the ground. It always makes a statement.
There are many different types of silk, but chiffon and organza are both ideal choices for curtain draping.
Sheer fabric. If you’re not concerned about privacy, you will fall in love with sheer fabric. It’s a feminine and elegant choice for curtain draping. With colours such as marshmallow or ivory, a swish of sheer fabric over your window can make the whole room feel ethereal.
Chenille fabric. Chenille is a versatile fabric that comes in a variety of colours. It’s wonderfully textured, and despite being a heavier fabric, can work well as a draped curtain if you use interlining. This fabric gives the room a soft, understated, and rustic feel.
When should you drape your curtains
Why choose to drape over traditional curtain styling? To answer this question, you can start by considering the atmosphere of your home. What do you want the room to feel like? Do you want a lot of sunlight and an unobscured view of nature? Or do you want maximum privacy and a heavy shield of fabric between you and the outside world?
Next, consider the fabrics and styling you’ve already chosen for the interior design of the room.
A particular window treatment will affect the whole space, so pick carefully if you want every aspect of the room to align.
Drape your curtains for romance and whimsy
If you’re going for a romantic, airy, and whimsical mood, draping is a wonderful choice. It allows for plenty of sunlight, too. With flowing light fabric, loosely swept over the curtain rod, and awash in pastels or neutrals, draping will only add to the romance and whimsy of your room.
Drape your curtains for modern sophistication
If the room is in a dramatic, dark colour palette and features modern furniture, you can choose fabric in a striking graphic pattern (such as geometrics) and they won’t look out of place when they’re draped. A heavier fabric (such as velvet) can also be used if you want to make a statement. It’ll look particularly good in a luxurious dining room or master bedroom.
Similarly, silk fabrics in bold colours are another option if you’re aiming for sophistication. Silk also offers a touch of luxury - especially when you have furniture and accessories in the same striking colours or fabrics. A fabric like this will easily spruce up a master bedroom or a spacious, expensive study, too.
