Curtains, Drapes, Blinds And Shades: A Guide On Window Treatments

Window treatments or coverings are an important aspect of any home, especially if you live in a tropical city like Dubai. Finding the right blinds or curtains in Dubai is essential for homeowners looking to control the amount of intense natural light that enters their homes. 

Want more natural light? Roll up your blinds. Sleeping in? Slumber undisturbed by closing your curtains and shutting the day out.

 Window treatments also enhance privacy and contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of any room. Whether you decide on curtains, blinds, or some other option, your chosen window treatment can transform your home and make it more comfortable, energy-efficient, and aligned with your style.

 Selecting the right window covering can be challenging, of course, as they are available in several categories. The fact that these categories are further classified into specific types further complicates choosing the right window treatment.

 In this article, you will learn about four window treatment types: drapes, curtains, blinds, and shades. By reading about their features, you may find it easier to decide on the right covering for your windows.

 What Are Curtains?

Curtains are fabric window coverings. They are typically available as rectangular panels, sold in sets, and hung on windows in pairs of two or more. You have many curtain fabric options (material, texture, style, etc.), including:

• Linen
• Silk
• Velvet
• Polyester
• Voile
• Woven
• Lace
• Brocade
• Jacquard
• Chenille
• Satin
• Cotton or cotton blends
• Wool or wool blends
• Thermal fabrics (typically polyester backed with acrylic foam or aluminum)
• Blackout fabrics (typically made with layers of heavy fabrics like velvet and wool blends)

 Curtains can come in different colors, patterns, thicknesses, widths, and lengths. That said, when decorators and other home design professionals say curtains, they are typically referring to fabric coverings that are:

•  Made of lighter fabric
• Measured to fit the height of windows, so the bottom of curtains ends at the windowsill or a few centimeters past it

What Are Drapes?

The term drapes is short for draperies. Like curtains, drapes are sold in panels and, typically, in pairs of two or more.

 Any of the fabric types, textures, and styles listed under the curtains section above can (technically) be turned into drapes. Yes, even sheer fabrics like cotton voile; sheer drapes do exist, typically used in conjunction with thicker, heavier drapes.

 That said, thick and heavy drapes are the norm. Thus, they are typically lined and, more often than not, they are made of the following materials:

•  Velvet
• Silk
• Linen
• Polyester
• Brocade
• Jacquard
• Satin
• Wool or Wool Blends
• Blackout Fabric
• Cotton Blends

Drapes are much longer than curtains. They fall past the windowsill by as much length as they need to float just above, kiss, or fall in a puddle of fabric on the floor.

Curtains and Drapes

Curtains and drapes are sometimes used interchangeably to refer to any type of fabric window covering that hangs down freely from rings, hooks, grommets, or fabric sleeves. The only thing that technically separates curtains and drapes is their length.

 Curtains are fabric window treatments that fall on, up to, or a little past the windowsill. Drapes are fabric window panels that fall almost to, up to, or on the floor.

 What Are Blinds?

Blinds, also known as louvers, are window coverings made of a rigid material like wood, metal, or plastic. They have slats or vanes you can tilt at an angle, shut close, or leave fully open.

 The slats are accordion-like. They can fold unto themselves and retract to leave the window uncovered through a pull-cord or some other mechanism.

 Blinds can be horizontal or vertical. Horizontal blinds retract up, while vertical blinds retract to the left or right. Additionally, horizontally oriented slats tilt up or down, while vertical louvers tilt sideways.

 Blinds have a clean and minimalist look. They are particularly effective in spaces requiring adjustable light control and privacy, such as offices and bathrooms. You can change the angle of the slats (so they’re more horizontally or vertically oriented) to let in more or less light. They are also easy to maintain and durable.

What Are Shades?

Shades are like blinds, but they’re made from a single, continuous piece of fabric, plastic, or woven wood. They don’t have slats or vanes that may be opened, closed, or tilted. Instead, they roll or fold up to let light in and unroll or unfurl down to keep daylight out.

 They come in various types, including roller, Roman, and cellular. The kind of shade and material used determine the level of light filtration and insulation shades can provide. They can be sheer for a soft light effect or blackout for complete darkness and privacy.

 Blinds and Shades

Blinds and shades both suit minimalist and modern aesthetics. They both roll up and down as sheets of fabric or some other material to cover or reveal windows.

 However, blinds have slats, while shades do not. This is why blinds offer more granular light and privacy control.

 Curtains, Drapes, Blinds or Shades?

Which among curtains, drapes, blinds, and shades should you choose for your home? 

Here are some general guidelines that can help:

•  Drapes are excellent for bedrooms, where you need maximum light control and insulation from outside noise and heat (or cold).
• Curtains are great for kitchens, living rooms, and other areas of the house, including bedrooms.
• Use sheer curtains or drapes if you simply want to soften the light in the room. Pair your sheers with heavy curtains or drapes for when you want more privacy and insulation.
• Blinds and shades look great in home offices, especially if you choose ones that pair well with your home office furniture.
• Opt for blinds over shades for granular light and privacy control.
• Shades are excellent options for patios, verandahs, and outdoor spaces.
• Blinds and shades are sleeker than curtains and drapes and are a good fit with modern and contemporary styles.

 In the end, though, the choice is up to you. 

Whether you use curtains, drapes, blinds, or shades, make sure your decision is based on the overall aesthetic of the space and practical considerations.