Curtain Styles: A Guide to Popular Window Treatments

Blackberry Mountain Hotel, Guest Room Interior — Credit: Courtesy of Blackberry Mountain

When it comes to dressing up your home, it's very easy to overlook your space's window treatments. While they might serve a utilitarian purpose—to keep the sun's harsh rays and those particularly nosy neighbors out of sight—finding the right set may not seem as pressing as, say, buying a rug or sofa. However, we think curtains are actually quite important: Not only can the right window treatments offer a hefty dose of much-needed privacy, but they can also transform a room and give it a sense of completeness.

So, which window treatments are right for you? Blinds and shades might get the job done in style, but many interior designers often choose curtains for their good looks and enduring versatility. "Curtains help soften the harsh angles of a window and make a room feel more formal or cozy," Libby Rawes of Sharp + Grey Interiors explains. Each curtain style has small, nuanced differences that can make or break your room's overall atmosphere. "Because it covers a large amount of vertical visual space, drapery makes a huge impact on the look and feel of a room," affirms Emilie Munroe, principal designer of the San Francisco-based firm Studio Munroe.

The right window treatments can help anchor and transform your space. Here, explore the many different curtain styles and choose the one that will give your space the wow factor it deserves. We asked top designers to share the curtain styles they return to time and again.

01 of 09

Sheer Panels

sheer paneling curtains in office — Credit: Courtesy of TiffanyHowell / Pablo Enriquez

Looking for some privacy, but don't want to completely block out the sun's rays? Tiffany Howell of Los Angeles-based firm Night Palm Studio has the solution. "I recommend sheer curtains," she shares, "which provide an airy ambience to any room without stopping the light from filtering in." More often than not, sheer curtains are made from linen, which is light, bright, and airy. "Linen is one of the best materials for an elevated but lived-in look," affirms Anthony D'Argenzio of Zio and Sons and This Old Hudson. "Opting for floor-to-ceiling panels makes the room feel taller and bigger than it actually is."

02 of 09

Café Curtains

cafe curtain style curtains in bathroom — Credit: Courtesy of Amy Sklar / Amy Bartlam

Another option to help you achieve the balance between ample sunlight and privacy? Designer Amy Sklar suggests café curtains, which hang from the mid-section of the window to the sill. "A café curtain is a simple, clean, and elegant choice in a bathroom," she says, pointing to this bright-white space. "They provide necessary privacy, let the natural light pour in, and add a layer of softness to the space."

03 of 09

Pinch-Pleat Curtains

pinch pleat style curtains bedroom window — Credit: Courtesy of Christina Kim / Raquel Angworthy

If you want to give your windows a thoughtful finishing touch, consider a pinch-pleat curtain. This beloved style has sweet stitching at the top, creating a simple pleat. "We love a pinch-pleat drape. It has a traditional, tailored style," shares designer Jennifer Hunter. "They add layers to a room, creating more warmth." New Jersey-based creative Christina Kim agrees, noting it can strike a nice balance between subtle and statement. "I like simple styles like the classic two-finger pinch, especially if I'm using a patterned fabric," she shares. "It feels clean and unfussy."

04 of 09

Euro-Pleated Curtains

euro pleated style curtains bedroom window — Credit: Courtesy of Susan Currie Design / Jacqueline Marque

Another pleated style to love? The Euro-pleated drape, which is best defined by the stitched, three-fold pleat at the very top of the curtain. "We love the easy elegance of Euro-pleated drapes, which are pinched at the top but open on the bottom," shares designer Susan Currie. "They are the ideal choice in today's transitional spaces because they are a little dressy without being fussy." Another thing to love about this style? They're easy to open, close, and maintain. "Once the pleat is sewn in, the folds pop back into place when the curtains are opened, so they never require careful arrangement to look good," she notes.

05 of 09

French-Pleat Curtains

The French-pleat drape is another style that should be on your design radar. Also known as the three-finger pleat, this option usually has stitching at the center of the ruffle, creating a luxe fullness. As for how to incorporate this iteration into your home? Make like Tyler Karu, who mounted the style onto a black metal rod. "Both the rod and the drape style are timeless and classic and lend themselves to an array of textiles, be it pattern, texture, or solid," the Maine-based designer explains. "We use this drapery style and rod combination often, as it doesn't read as dated or trendy."

06 of 09

Ripple-Fold Curtains

ripple fold style curtains in living room — Credit: Courtesy of Foley Cox / Tim Lenz

"For contemporary homes, our go-to curtain style is a tailored ripple fold," says designer Stephanie Brown. "Whether it's sheer or solid, this style is very streamlined (which complements modern homes) and adds a wonderful textural element." Ripple-fold curtains get their signature S-curve shape thanks to a series of corded carriers across the track. Though this option is typically spotted in hotel rooms, the style is slowly making its way into homes, too. "Placing this curtain style on a recessed track is modern, simple, and elegant," offers Michael Cox, principal designer at foley&cox. "The soft, undulating, and curvaceous lines work perfectly in transitional and contemporary spaces and highlights the 'drape' of the fabric or sheer selected—without any visual distractions of decorative hardware."

07 of 09

Knotted Curtains

If pleated curtains feel a bit formal for your taste, consider opting for its cool younger cousin, the knotted curtain. Also known as tied iterations, this style has two ends at the top that are tied around the rod, offering an easy, breezy feel. Sara Toufali of Black & Blooms upped this style's bohemian factor by investing in a set of crocheted knotted curtains: "I love using them to create an airy, bohemian vibe. They're perfect if you like dappled sunlight to pour in and don't mind the see-through fabric."

08 of 09

Cornice-Clad Curtains

For the perfect finishing touch, Erin Gates recommends finishing your curtains with an upholstered cornice. Though this special addition is often used to cover eaves and other window treatment hardware, it can serve an aesthetic purpose, too. "Curtains with an upholstered pelmet [or] cornice board are back in style," she shares. "They are great for nurseries, as they help keep light seepage to a minimum."

09 of 09

Rod-Pocket Curtains

Looking for a stealth way to make your curtain rod blend in with the rest of your space? A set of rod-pocket drapes might be just the thing you're looking for. This option features a pre-sewn casing at the top of the curtains that will easily slip over a rod—and make it virtually invisible in the process. Emily Henderson mastered the look here; she placed this curtain type onto a white rod, blurring the line between the window and the walls.