Drapery panels can drastically change the look of a room. You can use them in addition to blinds to add color and warmth to a space. They also block out light, insulate drafty windows and add privacy. However choosing the right draperies can be overwhelming to shop for. There are hundreds of color and styles to choose from, not to mention the hardware. I will try to help you narrow it down by touching on a few subjects.

Ready Made, Semi Custom, And Custom Draperies can be purchased either ready made, semi custom, or custom. Ready make are best if you need it up now. There is a large selection and they ship quickly. They are also the most economically priced. They usually come in sized to fit most common size windows.

Next is semi custom. On semi custom the width is fixed and the length is made to your measurements, maximum is about 120 inches. This is a good choice if you have high windows, or if you want your draperies to puddle (form soft folds on the floor). Lastly, there is custom draperies that are made to a specific width and length; you can also choose the header style and fullness.“Headers” are at the top of the panel that attaches to a rod. Headers are available in many styles, I will talk about some of the most common here. Pinch pleat comes in 3 styles; standard, goblet, and European. These are used for draw drapes or stationary panels. continue reading…