Pleated Drapes
Pleated drapes are some of the most attractive and elegant window treatments you can opt for, with their innate ability to block out unwanted light. Made of many different types of fabric, they can be lined or unlined, and include a blackout panel or be sheer. No matter which room you’re trying to outfit, pleated drapes are an excellent choice with so many varieties available.
Benefits of Pleated DrapesPinch pleated and pleated drapes work well because the lines are pre-made within the curtains. This way, you don’t have to worry about wrinkles or unwanted lines, which can crop up in other curtain types after they’ve been hanging for some time. To keep the pleat, however, a downside of some pleated curtains is that they are dry clean only. However, this is a small downside as curtains are not a textile routinely washed week to week.
Colour OptionsJust like with other curtains and blinds, the colour options for pleated drapes are innumerable, from bright neon to off-white or beige. A good rule of thumb is to use light colours to make a room appear larger, and darker colours to make a room appear smaller. For example, if you’re outfitting a large living room, a dark navy colour is perfectly acceptable, but this colour may make a small bedroom look cramped.
Material OptionsWhen it comes to pleated curtains, there are several material options, with linen or flax linen being popular options, as the thicker material holds a pleat better. However, if you want cotton or sheer curtains, there are a few options available. You can also pair cotton or sheer curtains with pleated, thick blackout panels to achieve a similar look.
SizingSizing and having the right curtain and blind accessories are two very important attributes when choosing curtains. Be sure you measure the width and length of your windows. Curtains can hang from several inches to over a foot below the window, depending on the look you’re going for. Look for rods, connectors and other accessories that fit the window perfectly. If a pleated curtain is too big, the pleats can certainly overwhelm the window.