Practical Luxury: Why Custom Drapes are Perfect for Every Room of Your Home

By: Olivia Senderson

Updated: 6/19/2024

Privacy, temperature control, and elegance — all in one place.

The best thing about drapes — their versatility. They’re an eye-catching, beautiful addition to any space, and offer a high level of control over your living space.

With custom drapes, you’ll have more control over the climate and the amount of sunlight in your home. And all this can happen throughout your home. Drapery is often seen in common areas, such as formal dining rooms and living rooms, but bedrooms are a fantastic setting for drapes as well.

I love the look, but are drapes still in style?

Drapes are timeless and elegant. In fact, drapes are so “in style” right now, they’re one of the emerging trends of 2021.

Design icons Amber Interiors and Studio McGee love using custom drapery throughout their clients’ homes.

These window treatments add a great deal of style and eye-capturing beauty in whichever room you choose to add them. Living rooms and bedrooms in particular are suited well for custom drapes.

Check out Amber Interiors. Check out Studio McGee.

Where should drapes fall?

Traditionally, drapes fall right to the floor, hovering just above the floor, or even pooling onto the floor a few extra inches. You can use this method to make a room feel larger, as the draping swaths flow from ceiling to floor. If you’d rather have a lighter aesthetic, pulling drapes up slightly above your flooring is a good option.

Keep in mind that getting custom drapes means you can choose the exact length of your drapes. It’s your choice, so you can decide what will work best for you. If you’re unsure, our team of design professionals can help you figure out exactly what you’re looking for from your custom drapes.

What’s the difference between curtains vs drapes?

This question is one of the most common we receive about drapes. Drapes and curtains are similar in nature, but actually notably different from each other. Stylistically, curtains are more whimsical than drapes, which tend to have an elevated look that sets them apart.

Drapes are also made differently than curtains. Drapes are made of high-quality, double-layered fabric. This creates a heavier, more dramatic look and the swaths gracefully flow to the floor. Curtains, on the other hand, tend to be sheerer and are not as thick as drapes.

Drapes are also weighted. Weights are sewn into the fabric at the base of drapery, allowing for the clean, downward pull so often associated with drapes. This keeps them from moving at the slightest change in airflow and gives them the added advantage of helping keep your home energy efficient.

Why should I get custom drapes as opposed to curtains?

Curtains come in many different lengths and fabrics. However, lengths tend to be standard and can be unaccommodating to the types of windows you want covered.

Our custom drapes come in over 300 different patterns and colors. If you want to coordinate colors for your window treatment, drapes are the perfect way to go. Getting custom-made drapery means you are getting your very own window treatment specially crafted for you, and you alone. This ensures the perfect fit, the length you desire, and a look that will transform your home.

Custom-made drapes are an investment in creating a space that feels and looks like you. Plus, ordered from the right manufacturer, custom drapery is of substantially better quality than mass-produced curtain panels from the big box stores.

Which is better, drapes or blinds?

Either can be perfect for your space, but it depends on what you’re looking for. Drapery panels add natural elegance, can update a space to modernize, help with energy efficiency, and can be layered with many other window treatments. For a lighter look, consider wide, sheer drapery.

Blinds can be an excellent addition to your windows and are a common window treatment that is associated with filtering light. Our faux wood and wood blinds add a natural touch that’s perfect for many styles.

If you’re looking for something simple and effective, blinds are a perfect choice. If you’re looking for that wow factor, a pop of dramatic style, drapes will undoubtedly be what you’re looking for.

Can you use custom drapes with valances?

Yes, absolutely. Custom drapes can be paired with many different window treatments, and valances with drapes make an exceptional pairing. Valances hide the hardware at the top of drapery, block unwanted light from peeking out the top of the drapes, and add a more traditional feel — perfect for vintage homes and lovers of old-world charm.

Layer your custom drapes with roman shades, roller shades, or cellular shades for even more control and style.

Layering window treatments can be a challenge, but our design team has excellent knowledge to help you choose exactly the right pairing. Roman shades and cellular shades both go well with drapes. Layering window treatments gives your room a completed look. No more fighting with curtains along the curtain rod, and no more trying to gain privacy with curtains that don’t cover your whole window.

Layering gives you control over your privacy, the style of your home, and your lighting throughout the day. Enjoy the softly filtered daylight of cellular or solar shades, then close the blackout drapes to block the streetlight’s glare when it’s time for bed.

Bonus: layering your window treatments can help cut back on your energy use. Your heating and cooling systems won’t have to work as hard when your window treatments are layered, as the quality of fabric and the design of the two window treatments together give your windows even more protection from light and air.

Are drapes energy efficient, even in winter?

Drapes are crafted with high-quality fabric, double hemmed, and weighted. Windows that get a drapery uplift will be more protected from heat and cooling transfer, especially if layered with another window treatment. Cellular shades, for example, are great to pair with drapery. Not only are you left with a luxurious feel, but you’re optimizing your temperature control.

Choosing custom drapery is key if you’re looking for energy-efficient window treatments.

Imagine purchasing curtains for your home from a standard set of curtain options. After they’re hung, you notice they don’t fall quite right, and air flows from around the sides.

Curtains, being lighter, don’t allow for the same control that drapes do. Additionally, if you choose custom drapery, your drapes will be made for your windows. They will fit the specifications exactly. There’s no guesswork, and little risk, as your drapes will be precisely measured and crafted for your home. The extra weight will keep your drapes in place, minimizing airflow, optimizing energy efficiency, and adding that touch of luxury to your space.

If you’re looking for that extra element of comfort and elegance, custom drapery is exactly what you’re looking for.

Custom drapes are perfect for your living room, bedroom, and throughout your home.

Give yourself the gift of luxury — without the guilt. Choosing drapery for your home’s window coverings gives you privacy, climate control, and elegance, and is an investment that will continue to pay off for years to come. Contact us today for your free consultation and transform your space into one as comfortable as it is luxurious.