Curtain Style Guide: 10 Types of Curtains For Your Home

Buying curtains for your home is an important decision. Curtains can make or break the look of a room, dress up or down any style, and take on their own personality depending on the type you choose.

Given this fact, it should come as no surprise that there are many different types to consider when choosing window treatments for your home. From classic rod-pocket curtains to contemporary pinch pleat panels, here are 10 types of curtains you will want to know about before making a purchase:

1. Single Panel Curtains

Single panel curtains are a nice choice for a large window that can be seen from both sides. They are a good option to pair with double panels if you want balance. Here is an example of how they look in a living room:

This single panel curtain looks great in this living room because it’s the right color and fabric to match the rest of the space. Because it covers the entire window, there is no need for a valance on one side of the window, so it doesn’t compete with the other furniture in the room.

2. Tie-Back Curtains

Tie-Back curtains are single panels that have tiebacks already attached. The ties can be left loose or tied together for a decorative look. These curtains are great for covering large windows because they allow you to effortlessly open and close the window by pulling on the strings. They also provide privacy, especially when tied.

3. Panel Pair Curtains

The panels for this type of curtain can either be the same or different. For example, one side could have lace trim and the other side could be plain. This type of curtain is perfect for letting light in when you want it, but closing it when the sun is too bright.

4. Pinch Pleat Curtains

Pinch pleat curtains are fold-and-pleat draperies with fabric gathered in distinct vertical folds. They are most often found in traditional-style homes but can be used almost anywhere. Pinch pleat curtains give rooms character and sophistication while also providing privacy.

5. Pencil Pleat Curtains

Pencil pleat curtains have thinner, single pleats that make working with various curtain hooks or rods easier. When choosing a curtain rod to hang this type of curtain, be sure to measure for the top and bottom of the window separately and get a rod that will work for both measurements.

Pencil pleat curtains are more casual than goblet or box pleat curtains. They’re perfect for bedrooms or living rooms that don’t require as much formality.

A popular use of pencil pleat curtains is in a kitchen near the sink: They provide privacy and keep people from accidentally walking through the still-wet floor.

6. Grommet Curtains

Grommet curtains are typically used on doors or windows that are shorter than six feet. They are most often made of fabric with small holes for tying. Grommets can be found in either set-in or eyelet styles, depending on the weight of the material and the level of privacy required. Grommet curtains are very easy to hang on any rod using curtain hooks, clips, or rings. Use two 2-inch grommets if needed for heavier fabrics. Fabric is gathered at the bottom hem with a short zipper inserted to make forming pleats easier.

A grommet curtain is usually more casual than other types because it’s more basic and doesn’t require as much detail work. It can be used in any room in the house for a casual look.

7. Tie Top Curtains

Tie-top curtains are often found in bedrooms and living rooms, but can also be used in the kitchen near the sink to give some privacy. Tie-top curtains are easy to clean since you can simply untie them if they get dirty or stained.

Tie-top curtains are perfect for people who may need to close their windows for safety reasons, such as when there’s a storm outside.

The top of the curtain has ties that crisscross over one another so you can tie them into different bows or leave them loose. You can also buy decorative tie-backs that match your room’s theme.

8. Tab Top Curtains

Tab top curtains are another popular form of drapery. They hang like a shower curtain and come in a variety of colors, designs, and patterns. When choosing tab top curtains for your home, be sure to measure out the width of your window and buy them accordingly. To measure for height, take the measurement from the floor to where you want the bottom hem of the curtains to hang and add an extra 12-18 inches for additional length if needed.

Tab top curtains can be used in any room in either formal or casual settings because they’re so versatile. The only exception would be near sinks or countertops that get wet regularly because these curtains can be more difficult to clean than other types.

9. Double Panel Curtains

Double panel curtains offer more balance and harmony in space by covering two windows at once and containing all furniture within one visual plane. Typically, a double curtain set consists of a pair of panels that meet or overlap in the middle, but you can also use three panels to form a larger window treatment. Here is an example using two panels:

This picture shows how two panels look on a large window. They tie the look together nicely and make it more dynamic.

10. Rod Pocket Curtains

Rod pocket curtains provide a clean and tidy look. They use grommet or tab top styles, and the panels fit over a rod, often found in the middle of the window. The curtains hang down evenly on either side of the window and come in many different colors and patterns. Rod pocket curtains can be used as a room divider or to cover furniture and create a more formal look.

Rod pocket curtains may not be as popular as other types of curtains, but they’re worth considering if you want your windows to have a cleaner look.