11 Types of Curtains to Take Your Home From Prim to Polished

by Shraddha Desai | September 27, 2024 | 11 mins read

Different types of curtains for your home

11 types of curtains ready to take centre stage in your home!

Different types of curtains may add a finishing touch to a room or window, but it’s incredible how they also have qualities that can completely change your room! Curtains serve more purposes than just providing privacy and filtering sunlight. The curtain world is vast and varied, from elegant drapes screaming luxury to breezy sheers whispering tranquility.

Read on to explore different types of curtains and learn how to choose a style that perfectly complements your home. 

1. Holdback Types of Curtains for Elegant Control 

Opt for holdback curtains if you are looking for different types of curtains and want to give your room or window a makeover. These curtains offer style and functionality and can make the living room and balcony look more beautiful. They can also be tied, giving your room a neat look. This technique will give your window treatment or space an appealing look while stopping the fabric from blocking views or sunshine.

These types of drapes are used more in the living room than just beautifying windows. Holdback curtains serve as classy room dividers, segregating varied spaces within an open-plan area. For instance, they can separate your home office from the living room. The remarkable thing about holdback curtains is that they make the room appear broader when tied back.

These curtains are also perfect for a balcony, allowing a harmonious blend of light and privacy. When tied back, holdback curtains let in lots of sunlight and breeze. You can hang string lights on these curtains to enhance the overall look further. The string lights glow with curtains against the night sky, setting up a warm and cosy mood, making the balcony an inviting spot for evening relaxation or inviting guests for a night party. 

Holdback type of curtain offers style and functionality
Holdback curtains are the star of the balcony

2. Blackout Types of Drapes: Block Light in Style

Blackout curtains are perfect for your bedroom. They offer a light-control solution, and their thick material absorbs sound and creates a peaceful environment. The material for these curtains comes in several shades and textures, fitting well with traditional and modern interior designs.

Blackout type of drape offers light-control solution
Blackout curtains are all about style and privacy
End to end modular home interiors for indian homes

3. Pinch Pleated Types of Curtains for Home: A Timeless Classic

These are an excellent option for those looking to maintain a classic look inside the home. Because the pleats on the top of the curtain are stitched and pressed, the pinch-pleated curtain has a structured appearance.   

One of their exciting features is that they can be customised with two to five pleats. More pleats make the room appear luxurious and look as good in bedrooms as in halls or dining areas. Another fabulous feature of these types of curtains is their fabric versatility. Pinch pleat curtains enhance the fabric’s natural drape, whether you choose lightweight sheers to produce a breezy effect or heavy velvet for a dramatic draping effect. They would go well with various curtain rods and glide smoothly, making them easy to open and close on a pull without a fuss. 

Pinch pleated type of curtain making the room appear luxurious
Curtains pleated to perfection

4. Sheer Types of Curtain Designs: Light And Breezy Elegance 

Sheer curtains are a favourite with homeowners! Hang sheer curtains around your bed to create a dreamy canopy, or pair them with heavy curtains or blinds, allowing you to choose between privacy and openness. 

Sheer curtains spread their magic with flowing charm. If hung in the kitchen, these curtains allow natural light to come in, making the kitchen look more airy and spacious. These types of drapes are transparent and provide a minimum level of privacy. Sheer curtains also create a perfect breakfast nook for a warm, sunny space that makes your morning routine feel like a special occasion.

Another quality of sheer curtains is that they are easy to maintain and a practical option when styling your space. Sheer curtains can beautify any space by infusing it with a hint of elegance and natural light besides just decorating your windows.

Transparent sheer type of curtain design offering minimal privacy
Translucent curtains that let the light in

5. Double Panel Types of Curtains: Balanced Beauty 

Double-panel curtains are stylish yet functional, pulling the whole look together. They don’t just enhance the look of your room or windows but also make a statement. With two panels framing each side, you immediately feel grandeur and elegance. 

These types of curtains for home are a simple way to upgrade the style of your room without having to do much. For spring and summer, replace your panels with light materials and soft pastel colours; Opt for heavy and dark tones for fall and winter. It is an easy and affordable way to keep freshness and modernity in your home decor. 

Stylish and functional double-panel curtains
Paired perfection with double panel curtains

6. Doorstring Types of Curtains: A Unique Decorative Option

Be it a bohemian living room or a chic bedroom, these lace doorstring curtains are perfect for different home decor. You can use them as decorative elements or even hang them in front of French doors or large windows. 

Doorstring curtains have some fantastic benefits. They are ideal for areas where you want some ventilation without closing the space. They are also not the usual type of curtains, which are heavy, bulky, and unmanageable. Being light in weight and easy to handle makes them a popular choice.

Lace door string curtains harmonise with every decorative style and are available in various colours and designs. Classic whites and creams for that timeless ethereal look; bold blacks or jewel tones for a dramatic effect- designs even include colour variations in the strings to give a sense of softness in the room. 

Doorstring type of curtain style
Create a welcoming entrance with these curtains

7. Single Panel Types of Curtains: Simple and Sleek 

Are you seeking to add a pop of colour to your living space or build an inviting nook to read? These types of drapes make all the impact without overwhelming your space. They can be perfect for problematic areas with too many panels, letting you play with light and style without ever losing the aesthetic appeal when dressing up your small window or framing the larger one.

Consider them the understated yet powerful statement piece that completes your ensemble, like adding the perfect accessory. Single-panel curtains hang only on one side of the door or window. They work for people who demand simplicity in design and do not want areas to be cluttered. They give individuality to your surroundings without being overpowering. There are several variations, too, from very light sheers that allow sunshine to flow through your room to thick ones that cover the wall with cosiness. 

Minimalist single-panel curtain in pink
One curtain, many styles
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8. Pleated Panel Types of Curtains: A Tailored Look

These types of curtains can transform a dull space into something exciting. Imagine pleats dropping from the top, creating an elegant, carefree, tailored appearance—like your comfortable, stylish clothes.

Pleated panel curtains are versatile, too. They can fit whether you want to style a formal dining room or a casual living space. There are pinch pleats that create crisp folds and box pleats that create a more structured look. In any case, there is a pleated curtain for every ambience. And the best part? They add depth and dimension to your windows without overwhelming the room, like the perfect accessory that complements rather than competes.

These types of curtains for home allow you to play with various materials, hues, and patterns matching your mood and decor. If you want a little drama, try luxurious, thick velvet pleats. Or, if you want something light, breezy, and airy, you can go for sheer pleats that allow as much sunlight as possible to get through the curtain. Sheer pleats are a statement piece that adds an amount of personality and charm besides the standard window dressing.

Classic pleated panel curtain in white
Classic pleated panels for a timeless look

9. Apron Types of Curtains: Short and Sweet

Apron curtains or half-length curtains hang below the window sill. Because they provide just enough coverage and do not overpower your design, these types of drapes are ideal for rooms like the kitchen, bedroom, or even the bathroom.

They are playful, flexible, and ideal for framing a small window frame. Think of them as the cropped jeans of window treatments. Such short curtains give some privacy and all the benefits of natural light.

One of the best features of apron curtains is how much fun you can have experimenting with patterns and colours. A bold print in bright colours will add a little zest. And if your mood or season changes, it’s easy to change these too. Thus, you cover the windows with apron curtains and dress them up beautifully!

Apron type of curtain, versatile for kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom
Deep brown curtains ground the neutral-hued kitchen

10. Window Sill Drapes: Best Among Different Types of Curtains for Windows

These have a crisp, clean aesthetic value. Unlike floor-length curtains, these cover just above the window sill. They’re ideal for smaller windows in cramped areas where every inch matters or where longer curtains could obstruct the view, including bathrooms with bathtubs or kitchens with counters.

Window sill curtains are ideal for settings where floor-length curtains cannot be used due to furniture arrangement. For example, light cannot enter a room if the curtains reach the floor. Also, floor-length curtains can crowd compact sitting rooms when a bookshelf or sofa is kept under the window. On the contrary, window sill curtains are a good solution as they are shorter, leaving the floor open.

Purple window sill drapes in crisp and clean aesthetic
Add a dash of personality to your space

11. Cafe Type of Curtain Style: Casual Charm for Your Space

Cafe curtains add warmth and cosiness to a small kitchen or dining room. Because they are so short, they do not overwhelm the space, keeping it airy and light.  They have a ruffled top and lace trim, infusing elegance in an informal manner.

You can also style a kitchen window with delicate lace material: just enough coverage for a bit of privacy enhancement rather than full-on interference with the kitchen’s natural light. If you go in for rustic wooden decor, soft, neutral cafe curtains can enhance the overall cottage-like ambience. These curtains bring just the correct change and help redecorate your room with new colours or patterns.  

Cozy cafe-style curtains in small kitchen
Cafe-style ruffles adorn this space

Some Tips on How to Choose the Right Type of Curtain:

  • Consider the Room’s Functionality
  • Think About Privacy Needs
  • Assess Light Control Preferences
  • Match Your Interior Style
  • Select the Fabric 
  • Take measurements carefully 
  • Consider curtain length 
  • Think about maintenance and durability 
  • Consider seasonal changes  

From the ultra-chic sophistication of holdback curtains to the breezy charm of sheer varieties, there are different types of curtains to suit every mood and decor. You can turn your living room into an elegant retreat or cosily dress the kitchen. The right curtain style for you exists. Let’s dress those windows elegantly and make your home reflect your style! Confused about which drapes will look best in your home? Talk to the experts at DesignCafe and find your answers!

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What type of curtains for the living room?

Blackout curtains offer privacy and darken rooms when necessary, while sheer curtains let in natural light, making them a popular choice for your living room. Velvet drapes can create a cosy, inviting feel, and patterned ones bring colour and texture to match your decor. Another choice is layered curtains, which mix sheer and blackout fabrics to control light and ensure privacy at different times of the day and for various activities.

2. Which type of curtain is best? 

The right curtain choice depends on the room, how much privacy you need, and your style preferences. Blackout curtains are an excellent option for keeping light out and boosting privacy in bedrooms or living rooms. Sheer curtains do the trick for areas where you want to let sunlight in. When picking curtains to suit your room’s look and practical needs, think about the fabric, colour, and how easy they are to clean.

3. Which curtains are in trend?

Currently, popular curtains include see-through options to give a breezy feel, velvet ones to add luxury and cosiness, and eye-catching patterns that bring life to your room. Colours like beige and grey work with everything, while using multiple layers of curtains lets you control light and privacy as you need. These looks help make spaces good-looking and practical, matching what people want in modern design.

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Shraddha Desai is a content writer in DesignCafe

Shraddha Desai

Shraddha Desai, our in-house writer, comes with over a decade of experience in content creation, backed by her journalism and digital marketing background. She’s passionate about exploring new places and immersing herself in different cultures whenever she gets to travel. Shraddha is a K-drama fan and enjoys learning the Korean language.

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