Decorating Guides
How to Speak the Lingo of Drapery
If you want the window treatments in your head to match what ends up on your windows, it helps to know these common drapery terms
Translating aesthetic needs for window treatments into construction terminology to get exactly what your space requires may not be glamorous, but it's valuable if you want form and function. Follow our lead as we describe the most common elements of standard window treatments. You may discover that you know more than you thought you did!
"Break." When the drapery panel hangs past the finished floor length, it "breaks" the visual vertical lines of the window treatment and causes a fold in the fabric.
Tip: Draperies constructed 3 inches too long create the perfect break — this is considered to be the industry standard.
Tip: Draperies constructed 3 inches too long create the perfect break — this is considered to be the industry standard.
"Hem." Any bottom, side or top portion of the drapery fabric folded over toward the back of the treatment and sewn is considered a hem. You can see the finished hem very clearly at the bottom of the drapes in this shot.
Tip: A 3-inch bottom hem tends to be the standard. Anything larger has a more luxurious look.
Tip: A 3-inch bottom hem tends to be the standard. Anything larger has a more luxurious look.
"Puddling." A long drape that falls to the finished floor creates a puddle of fabric.
Tip: The bottom of the drapery that lands on the floor should be fluffed by hand for the perfect puddling effect.
Tip: The bottom of the drapery that lands on the floor should be fluffed by hand for the perfect puddling effect.
"Tieback." A tieback holds drapery fabric away from the center of the window. In this room the designer used a matching fabric sewn into a band to do the trick.
Tip: For a more dramatic approach, use a braided cord or tassel to hold back your draperies.
Tip: For a more dramatic approach, use a braided cord or tassel to hold back your draperies.
"Curtain." Curtains tend to vary in length, while draperies usually fall all the way to the floor. The window treatment in this photo is considered a curtain. "Draperies" also can refer to lined or backed curtains with a fuller and heavier feel.
Tip: If you don't like the appearance of a curtain but can't bring the fabric down to the floor because of an obstacle, consider using a hard window treatment, such as a blind.
Tip: If you don't like the appearance of a curtain but can't bring the fabric down to the floor because of an obstacle, consider using a hard window treatment, such as a blind.
"Inside mount." An inside mount means the window treatment is installed inside the casing (the moldings that surround the actual window).
Tip: An inside-mount installation tends to create a more contemporary look.
Tip: An inside-mount installation tends to create a more contemporary look.
"Outside mount." An outside mount means the window treatment is installed outside the window casing — on the above wall or side walls.
Tip: When installing an outside mount, you can adjust the height to a higher position to make the window look longer.
Get window treatment ideas for every design style
Tip: When installing an outside mount, you can adjust the height to a higher position to make the window look longer.
Get window treatment ideas for every design style
Tip: Coordinate a contrasting leading edge to another element in the room, such as an accent pillow.