Dwell On This: Dress Up Your Windows With Drapery

If eyes are the windows to the soul, imagine windows to be the eyes of our home: the portal through which we peer out and the world peeks in. Since I prefer not to bare my soul—nor my house—to anyone passing on the street, I hang curtains over our windows. While gauze-thin treatments are lovely, diffusing soft light like an IRL Instagram filter, the thicker, fabric-lined panels known as drapes offer more privacy, sound insulation, and light control, making them ideal for the bedroom, living room, and home office.

Yes, drapes are more expensive than curtains. Like a worsted wool suit compared to a breezy linen one, drapes are made with more substantial fabrics, and are lined. This lends a more formal aesthetic that shines in rooms with high ceilings, emphasizing verticality. Traditionally, drapes have been long enough to pool on the floor, requiring customization. Thankfully, there’s no decorative dictum today with numerous affordable DIY options that trade the fussy puddled look for a more linear, contemporary hang.

Beyond color, fabric, and length, you’ll need to decide on drapery headers—the way they’re sewn and attached up top. The majority feature a rod pocket or flat panel header, but there are also panels with grommet, box, pinch pleats, gathers, swags, and tab top headers to complement any decorative scheme. Just remember to hang them high and wide to frame the window on each side.