Drapery Panel Options
Well chosen draperies are an easy way to add a soft touch of color and pattern to any room in your home. When it’s time to choose drapes, however, it’s a good idea to know your options. Here is a brief descriptions of the four most popular. *Ring Panels / Grommet Top - As the name suggests, ringed panels hang from rings (also called grommet tops) that are either attached to the top of the fabric panel, or inserted into the fabric near the top edge. Because the curtain rod is quite exposed with these types of curtains, it’s common to use an attractive wooden or metal rod with decorative finials on the rod’s ends. *Rod Pocket Panels - Rod-pocket panels are made of lightweight fabrics and are typically unlined for a more casual feel. They are very easy to hang; the curtain rod simply slips through a channel sewn into the top back of the panel. The more fabric is squeezed onto the rod, the more dramatic the bunching of the fabric. *Pinch Pleated Panels - Pinch pleated panels are a classic style of drapery and so never really go out of fashion. They look quite formal, so work best with formal or traditional decorating styles. Pinch Pleat is the most common style. They are a series of equally spaced triple pleats that are pinched in the center, forming fans above and below the pinch. *Tab Top Panels - Tab-top panels have loops of fabric sewn into or onto the panel’s top seam. The panel hangs flat from these tabs, making this type of window treatment a perfect way to showcase fabric prints and patterns. These drapes work well with many casual decorating styles, but are especially popular with country or cottage looks.