What different types of curtains are there?

Today, there are so many curtains and other window coverings that it is almost impossible to choose. Luckily, there are lots of living magazines and living programmes that always give good tips on window coverings. In this blog, I will be focusing on the different types of curtains and other window coverings.

If you want to know more about the history of the curtain, we also wrote a blog about this.

Curtains and curtains

In the past a distinction was made between curtains and drapes. By curtains we mean transparent curtains that were barely opened. They were used to let light through but to reduce nosiness. Curtains, on the other hand, mainly had a decorative function and provided ‘decoration’ for the window. 

At my parents’ house, I’m the one who closes the curtains at night. We have large windows and I don’t like those dark, chilly ones. Having the curtains closed gives more atmosphere and a cosy feeling. Especially if the wood-burning stove and candles are lit. Curtains visually reduce the size of a room and therefore create a cosy atmosphere when you close them. This is one of the reasons why you can choose not to use busy patterns. Do you want to create more special effects with your curtains? Then choose variations in the material properties of the fabric, the structure of the fibre or the weaving technique. 

You can also play with the hanging system and the finish of curtains. Think of different pleats, the way they slide back and forth or where you hang a rod. There are rods with rings or loops, which make it easy to slide the curtain back and forth, but there are also indoor rods. In this case, the rail of the curtain is integrated into the rod. This gives you a nice look and a smoothly moving curtain. In addition, you can play with the height: by allowing a curtain rail to completely connect with the ceiling, you visually increase the space

Below I tell you briefly about the different types of curtains that exist:

1. 1. Overlights: These curtains are often made to block some or all of the light. The fabric is often opaque. These curtains are usually used in combination with net curtains or other window coverings

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1. 1. Panel curtains: sliding panels are often hung on a rail and give a modern and clean look. At the bottom of the panels is a weighting bar to make sure the panels fall down nicely. The panels can often be slid one behind the other. 

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1. Show curtains: the name says it all: curtains for show. Think for example of curtains in castles. Nowadays you hardly see this anymore. 
2. Vitrage or voile: These are transparent curtains and are also the thinnest variant within curtains. The incoming light is filtered and they have a soothing effect. 
3. Rolling curtains:An easy-to-attach curtain with the fabric twisted around an axis. Often equipped with a bottom rail and an operating chain to roll the curtain up and down.  Roller blinds are available in all sorts of varieties, whether translucent, semi-translucent or blackout. They are often made of cotton, polyester or vinyl and are not washable. </li
4. Ruffing curtains: Ruffing curtains come in variants with or without stiffeners and are fitted either lined or unlined. The lining of the fabric is done to provide blackout. Roman blinds are often made from more expensive fabrics and the use of ribs or a lining makes these curtains more expensive. 
5. Blinds: This is a more contemporary type of window covering. The adjustable slats allow you to control how much daylight is admitted into the room. Venetian blinds are made both horizontally and vertically and are available in many different materials and colours. For example, aluminium Venetian blinds are well suited to damp rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens. 
6. Shutters: These are often wooden interior shutters with adjustable slats. They have an atmospheric and darkening effect but are not completely obscure. With shutters you need to think carefully about the rooms where you place them. In smaller, darker rooms, shutters can create a prison-like feeling. They are better suited to larger rooms/windows with lots of light. Shutters are custom made and provide privacy and insulation.

At SustainableFabrics.shop / Enschede Textielstad we produce our own curtain fabrics in Enschede. Take a look below: