Home Design & Decorating Decorating Home Accessories

Drapes vs. Curtains, Shades, and Blinds: How to Choose

A Guide to the Most Common Types of Window Treatments

By

Michelle Ullman

Updated on 12/07/23

Fact checked by

Emily Estep

Trending Videos

Types of Window Coverings illustration — The Spruce

In This Article

Things to Consider
Curtains vs. Drapes
Blackout Curtains vs. Drapes
FAQ

When it comes to window treatments, the four general types are curtains, drapes, shades, and blinds. Some people use these terms interchangeably, especially drapes vs. curtains. However, while all four window treatment options can be used with many decorating styles and rooms, each has distinct characteristics.

Here are the similarities and differences between curtains, drapes, shades, and blinds to help you make the right selection for your needs.

01 of 04
Curtains

The Spruce / Almar Creative
- Best for: All rooms
- Common materials: Variety of fabrics
- Light blocking: Sheer to blackout
Curtains are fabric panels that are often sold and hung in pairs. You’ll find curtains in a wide range of widths, lengths, fabrics, colors, and patterns. They're a versatile and popular choice for every room of the home, even bathrooms and kitchens. They can soften a space, as well as add color and texture.

Curtains hang from a rod, which can be plain or decorative. Some curtains have a fabric pocket sewn at the top that will slip over the rod, hiding it when they're closed. Others have metal grommets or fabric tabs sewn at the top to slide over the rod. There also are rings or hooks that clip to the top of curtains to attach them to the rod.

Some curtains are referred to as sheers because the fabric offers minimal light blocking and privacy. For example, the short, sheer curtains that cover only the bottom half of a window over a kitchen sink—frequently matched to a valance across the window’s top—are called café curtains.

Other curtains are made of heavier fabric and might be marketed as blackout curtains, as they filter out most light. Curtains also can be used in conjunction with blinds or shades for optimal light blocking, especially in bedrooms.

The 12 Best Places to Buy Curtains of 2024
02 of 04
Drapes

Martin Barraud / Getty Images
- Best for: Bedrooms
- Common materials: Variety of heavy fabrics
- Light blocking: Moderate to blackout
The difference between curtains and drapes is drapes are often lined with heavy fabric to block all outside light, and drapes are a more ornate window treatment often made custom to specific windows. Like curtains, the purpose of drapes is to block light, offer privacy, and add visual interest to a room. The visible fabric of drapes is also typically heavy and somewhat stiff, with common materials including velvet, damask, and silk.

Drape panels are also often sold in pairs as window treatments. Similar to curtains, drapes hang from a rod on rings, hooks, grommets, or via a fabric sleeve. You can pick any color fabric to suit your tastes, so you won't have to worry about your drapes going out of style. Patterns are an option as well, though most drapes are solid or textured rather than heavily patterned.

Their blackout ability makes drapes perfect for bedroom use, though both drapes and curtains are suitable for living rooms and other spaces as well, depending on your style and needs. The heaviness of drapes often projects a formal feel. Plus, the top of a drapery panel is often pleated, which contributes to the formal appearance.

Sometimes called draperies, these window treatments are typically long enough to reach from slightly above the window to the floor. They can even puddle a bit on the floor. However, no rule says that drapes should touch the floor; that's a personal style choice.
03 of 04
Shades

The Spruce / Almar Creative
- Best for: All rooms
- Common materials: Fabric, vinyl, bamboo
- Light blocking: Moderate to blackout
Sold individually, shades typically come in various types of fabric, though they also can be other materials, including vinyl and bamboo. They're attached to a rod or frame and are sized to fit within the window frame—unlike drapes or curtains, which hang below the sill.

To let in light and see outside, you need to raise the shade using either a cord, roller, or lifting mechanism. As the shade lifts, it either bunches or rolls around a rod, depending on the shade’s style.

Simple roller shades are inexpensive, and as the name suggests the material rolls around a rod at the top. Other popular types of shades include Roman shades, which pull up into deep pleats; balloon shades, which pouf into balloons of fabric; and tie-up shades, which fasten using a fabric tie to hold them open. With many styles, colors, and patterns, you can find a window shade to complement any decorating theme—from casual to formal.

While window shades can be dressy enough to use on their own, many people like to use them underneath curtains or topped with a valance. This also improves their light-blocking abilities, though shades alone can be good blackout window treatments if they're made of a thick, lined fabric.
04 of 04
Blinds

Passakorn Leelawat / EyeEm / Getty Images
- Best for: All rooms
- Common materials: Vinyl, wood, aluminum
- Light blocking: Moderate to high
While blinds lift up and down with a cord or other mechanism like shades do, the two differ in that blinds are not a solid length of material. Rather, blinds are composed of slats, also called louvers, that tilt open to let in light or closed for darkness and privacy. And unlike shades, you don't have to fully raise blinds to see through them; you can just tilt them open.

Standard depths for blind slats are 1/2 inch, 1 inch, or 2 inches—the latter of which are often called Venetian blinds. The length and width of the blinds are sized to fit within the window frame. While blinds with horizontal slats are most common, there are also blinds with hanging vertical slats. These are generally used on sliding patio doors or over large sliding windows.

When comparing the light-blocking abilities of drapes vs. curtains vs. blinds, all three do a fairly good job. However, when it comes to blinds, some light may seep through the cracks between slats and in around the edges. Still, blinds are suitable for bedrooms. And you can top them with curtains to further block the light.

Blinds come in different colors and wood tones, but they're not normally patterned. Topping them with curtains or a valance will soften their rigid appearance and add some visual interest.

The 11 Best Blinds of 2024

Things to Consider When Choosing Window Treatments

Light Filtration: Do you want your room completely blacked out for sleeping or do you prefer to have some light seeping through? Light filtration will influence whether you buy curtains (allows more light in the room) or drapes (can be room darkening).
Features: Think about what features are important to you. You can opt for electric blinds, for example, that can be operated automatically, or consider shades with a flame retardant material for safety purposes.
Header Types: There are many different header types to consider, so do some research and choose one that best fits your design aesthetic and budget. For example, you can go with pleats, grommets, a rod pocket, eyelets, and more.
Cost: Cost can vary from extremely budget-friendly to very expensive depending on the material, header type, and how much fabric is needed. For example, basic vinyl blinds are typically some of the cheapest window treatments, while wooden shutters or drapes in a luxury fabric can be some of the priciest.
Style: Finally, you'll want to think about your home's design to consider which treatment will best fit. Not only do you want to take into account aesthetics, but you'll also want to think about function. Shorter windows will do better with shades or blinds while floor-to-ceiling windows lend themselves to curtains or drapes.

Are Curtains or Drapes Better?

Drapes are the best choice for rooms that require window coverings offering room darkening or insulation qualities. Drapes may better fit an ornate or formal space as well. Curtains are ideal for rooms that require a lighter touch for a window covering. Curtains can also add a decorative element to the room to tie together the room's color scheme.

What Is the Difference Between Blackout Curtains and Drapes?

Blackout curtains are typically made from a layer of specific materials designed to block light, while drapes can be made from any variety or multiple layers of heavier fabrics. Drapes often block out light similar to blackout curtains.

FAQ

What is the main difference between curtains and drapes?

The main difference between curtains and drapes is that curtains are generally shorter and lighter than drapes. Curtains are used for privacy and to make your windows look more aesthetically pleasing, while drapes are used for room darkening.
What are the disadvantages of drapes?

There are a few disadvantages of drapes. Not only can heavy drapes reduce airflow, but they may also accumulate allergens and mold. They are difficult to clean and can also be pricey.
Are drapes more expensive than curtains?

Curtains are typically less expensive than drapes. Drapes are longer, heavier, and often come in luxury fabrics like velvet or silk.
What window treatment type is on trend?

The window treatments that are currently considered on trend are sheer curtains, shutters, roller shades, and wooden blinds. Layering, like combining drapes with shades, is another popular approach to window treatments.