Curtains- Window treatments that are installed on stationary rods and generally have gathered, smocked, or ruffled headings.

Café Curtains- Curtains made of a piece of fabric stretched between two thin rods- one at the top and one at the bottom. They are typically pleated and can be mounted to either the inside or outside of a window frame.

Designer’s Tip: Café curtains are an excellent choice for adding privacy to a French door or dressing up a decorative screen, because they attach to the frame at both the top and bottom.

Cottage Curtains- A combination of café curtains and tieback curtains. The café curtains cover the lower part of the window with the tieback curtains over them.

Grommet-top Curtains- Similar to tab-top curtains, except that they are hung from eyelets sewn into the fabric at the top. Grommet-top curtains can be hung either by threading a rod through the grommets, or by attaching decorative hooks to the grommets for a more traditional look.

Hourglass Curtains- Curtains held taught between sash rods at the top and bottom of the window glass and then pulled in at the center to create the hourglass shape, giving them their name. Since they are held tight to the glass, they are a practical treatment for doors and windows where there is not room for a return, allowing sunlight to get in.

Designer’s Tip: Use tension rods instead of sash rods for mounting inside a window frame, and for extra airiness finish this style in attractive lace and sheer fabrics.

Panel Curtains- Any of several drapery styles other than rod pocket draperies which are normally finished to be attached to a pole or rod- notably tab top draperies.

Pocket Rod Curtains- Curtains with a pocket sewn at the top where a rod can be inserted. They are typically mounted outside the window frame.

Designer’s Tip: Pocket rod curtains’ crisp and tailored look at the top makes them much more formal than other curtain types.

Priscilla Curtains- A pair of extra-wide, ruffled tieback curtains hung on crisscross curtain rods so the panels crisscross in the center. They are often used with an attached valance.

Sash Curtains- Any sheer material hung close to the window glass. They are usually hung from spring tension rods mounted inside the window casing.

Shirred Curtains- Any curtain gathered onto a curtain rod, especially those gathered onto rods at both the top and the bottom edges.

Tab-top Curtains- Flat curtain panels that hang from a decorative rod by tabs. They tend to be more casual than other types of curtains and are often mounted outside the window frame.

Tent-flap Curtains- Curtains that require a minimal amount of fabric and provide a tailored, uncluttered look. The lining is just as important as the outer fabric so the two fabrics should compliment each other.

Tie-top Curtains- Curtains featuring short lengths of fabric at the top that are used to attach the curtains to the curtain rod.

Designer’s Tip: Since tie-top curtains are the most informal-looking of curtains, they work best with informal fabrics, especially sheers.

Tiered Curtains- Café curtains hung in two or more tiers with the top curtains slightly overlapping the lower curtains.