Curtains and Drapes

Innovative custom curtains are beyond aesthetic interior details – modern fabrics and control mechanisms can actually help you create a more comfortable and even resource-efficient home. Discover Lex Blinds assortment of stylish and energy-efficient shades that complement various interior styles and enhance the functionality of different rooms.

Made to Measure Curtains (UK)

• Blackout
• Voile
• Thermal
• Eyelet
• Pencil pleat
• Pinch pleat
• Etc.

The outstanding quality of our products and the full range of colours and materials they come in make our window dressings the luxury detail every home interior needs! For your comfort, you can choose between manual and electric control options.

Read on and learn more about the main window curtains and drapes types, fabric options, different headings, and window treatment operation possibilities (manual and automated options). Also, we’ll look over some of the main factors determining the final curtain price.

Home Curtains and Drapes – Different Types and Different Spaces’ Purpose

Occasionally, we’re asked what the difference is between modern curtains and drapes (sometimes used as synonyms). Basically, they both serve the same purpose. However, when it comes to a curtain, it’s typically made from a lighter fabric and is used primarily for privacy and controlling natural light. It can be sheer, offering minimal privacy while letting in plenty of light, or made of a thicker, more opaque fabric for greater privacy and light control.

Regarding drapes, this term is often used when discussing heavier fabric materials, sometimes lined or with fabric thick enough to block out almost all outside light, making them ideal for bedrooms or other spaces where controlling light is essential.

However, no matter what exact term we use to describe such shades, we usually talk simply about different types of window curtains. Here are 4 main groups in our assortment.

1. Blackout Curtains

    
Blackout draperies offer unparalleled privacy and light control in any space. Custom-made from chosen densely woven fabrics or lined with a light-obscuring layer, these window coverings are perfect for:

• Bedrooms
• Home theatres
• Any area where eliminating external light is essential

Beyond their primary function of darkening a room, custom blackout drapes help to reduce noise and save energy by insulating windows from heat loss or gain. Versatile in design and colour, they are perfect accents to stylish, functional spaces – especially ones where you want to enhance sleep quality and comfort with advanced privacy and light control.

2. Thermal Curtains

    
Lex Blinds insulated drapes are designed to maintain rooms’ temperature. When it comes to resource-efficient homes, it’s an ideal choice for energy-conscious homeowners. Insulated window treatments feature a special thermal lining that helps:

• Keep home cool in summer: Special technology fabrics reduce heat transfer through windows, significantly reducing reliance on air conditioning.
• Keep interiors warm in winter: Insulating fabric properties also play a crucial role in enhancing window insulation and keeping the warmth in during winter, therefore cutting down on heating costs during colder months.
  

Available in a variety of textures and hues, thermal shades blend functionality with aesthetics, offering a cosy, inviting atmosphere while promoting energy efficiency.

3. Voile & Sheer Curtains   

Such shades are perfect when the goal is to bring a light, airy feel to any room. It’s all about creating that soft, luminous ambience. Even though they’re made from lightweight, translucent fabrics, innovative sheers gently filter sunlight, diffusing it evenly throughout spaces.

While they offer limited privacy compared to heavier materials, voile and sheer fabrics excel in layering, allowing for a combination of light control and decorative flair. You might want to consider this when fulfilling the vision for the living and dining rooms – a touch of elegance and openness.

4. Net & Lace Curtains

Net and lace window garnishes are about timeless elegance and delicate charm. These intricately designed coverings aren’t that much about privacy (even though they do add an extra layer); they are perfect if your goal is brightening the interior.

If you seek to create a perfect balance between daylight and discreetness, such a fine, open weave offers a unique blend of visibility and seclusion. From classic to contemporary designs, net and lace shades add a layer of sophistication and style to kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms.

From sheers to thermal and blackout shades, we have plenty of options at Lex Blinds to complement different interior styles. The best part is that by layering different types of such window treatments or combining them with blinds, shutters or even modern outdoor blinds, you can get a perfect combination of unique style and functionality.

Window Curtains Heading Styles

Here at Lex Blinds, you can choose from a wide range of drapery styles that can be adjusted in your preferred ways. When it comes to styling, heading types are in the spotlight. Here are some of the most popular options worth your attention.

Eyelet Draperies   

Eyelet or grommet window coverings feature metal rings at the top, which slide easily over a curtain rod, creating large, even folds. This heading type is ideal for achieving a modern, sleek look in your living space.

They're particularly suitable for blackout and thermal draperies – the substantial, uniform folds enhance the functionality of these fabrics by ensuring a perfect drape that maximises light blockage and insulation.

Pencil Pleat Curtains   

Pencil pleat drapes offer a classic, versatile appearance. They have tightly gathered folds at the top, resembling a row of pencils. This type of heading is adjustable, providing a snug fit around your window.

Such an option fits a wide range of window sizes and styles, making it perfect for voile and sheer fabrics as well as net and lace ones.

Pinch Pleat Drapes

Pinch pleat hangings feature a decorative heading with fabric pinched together at the top, creating a series of elegant, permanent folds – a touch of sophistication.

This heading type is often used with heavier drapes, providing a structured look that enhances the curtain's thermal and light-blocking properties. Pinch pleats are ideal when creating a more formal and sophisticated look of refined aesthetics.

Wave Curtains   

Wave window dressings are designed to create a smooth, continuous wave pattern along the curtain track. A perfect wave to enhance contemporary and minimalistic interior aesthetics.

This heading type works exceptionally well with lightweight fabrics such as voile & sheer or net & lace hangings. The uniform wave effect is perfect for modern living spaces where simplicity and elegance are key.

Each heading type brings unique charm and functionality to your window treatments, enabling you to choose the perfect match for your desired curtain style and room ambience.

Draperies can only be hung on cornices – which means selecting the right cornice is essential when planning changes to your interior. Things you need to know about cornices – learn more here.

Curtain Fabrics – Some of the Most Popular Types

Regarding fabrics, there are many options to choose from. When selecting one, you have to consider not only design subtleties but also qualities regarding the purpose of the room and desired functionality. Modern window treatments are designed in a way to maintain easy care.

Some of the most popular fabric choices are:

• Cotton: Cotton is a versatile and popular choice for window treatments due to its natural, breathable qualities. It offers a clean, crisp look, suitable for traditional and modern decor. Cotton fabrics can come in various finishes – from sheer to opaque, providing flexibility in light control and privacy.
• Linen: Linen is perfect for those looking for textured curtains (made to measure or standard). A natural, textured weave provides a light and airy feel to rooms. It provides soft light filtration and offers enhanced privacy, making it ideal for living areas and bedrooms where a relaxed, casual ambience is desired.
• Velvet: Custom velvet drapes are considered one of the luxurious fabric choices. It's definitely something to look for if you want to add depth and warmth to your interior. A thick, dense weave is perfect for blackout curtains, offering superior light blocking, thermal insulation, and sound-dampening properties.
• Silk: Silk offers a different, more subtle luxury and elegance. Such hangings of shimmering appearance and sumptuous feel are perfect for bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms. However, they do require more care and are most often used in low-traffic areas. A natural silk curtain cost is naturally higher than its alternative options.
• Polyester: Polyester is usually a choice when looking for something highly durable and easy to care for, yet for affordable pricing. Even made to measure curtain prices are relatively low. This material is resistant to wrinkles, shrinking, and fading, making it suitable for various rooms, including kitchens and bathrooms. Polyester is easy to modify; therefore, you'll see plenty of options – from sleek and sophisticated to uniquely patterned curtains in various designs and colours.
  
  

Consider the aesthetic harmony with your existing decor and how each material aligns with your practical needs – from light control to privacy and insulation. Quality remains a priority across all types, ensuring that your selection stands the test of time.

Each fabric type of our custom made curtains (UK) offers distinct perks, enabling you to tailor your choice to the specific maintenance, functionality, and style requirements.

Electric Curtain Track System – for Smart Home

Step into the future with motorised solutions, a perfect upgrade for the modern smart home. There's definitely more to it than creating an ideal ambience and privacy level. Here are a few more solid reasons why adding electric window treatments to your living space is a game-changer:

• Effortless Control: Adjust your motorised drapes with the ease of a button press or a voice command.
• Smart Home Integration: Seamlessly connect with your existing smart home devices for a fully integrated experience.
• Automated Operation: With a smart home system, set your window treatments to open or close based on the time of day or sunlight exposure, enhancing your home's energy efficiency.
• Personalised Scheduling: Tailor opening and closing times to your daily routine for added convenience and efficiency.
• Energy Efficiency: Leverage automation to save on heating and cooling costs by adjusting draperies to block or allow sunlight, maintaining ideal room temperatures and reducing energy consumption.

Create a more stylish and resource-efficient space where your home intuitively responds to your lifestyle, making every day smoother and more enjoyable.

Made to Measure Curtain Prices

The price of our made-to-measure window dressings is tailored to fit not just your windows but also your budget, reflecting the unique characteristics of each order. While there are many factors determining the final curtain cost, some of the main ones include:

• Shape and size of your windows
• Type of fabric
• Heading style
• Chosen operation mechanism
• Integration with a smart home system

Want to get a personalised quotation that matches your exact needs?

Book a free in-home appointment today (measuring and fitting are included in the price), and we will arrive within 48 hours. If you're looking to buy made to measure curtains online (UK), our specialists can provide a virtual design consultation as well.

Explore our collection of modern window curtains for home and transform your space with elegance and functionality!

FAQ   

How Do You Choose Energy-Efficient Curtains for Home?

    
The main task of energy-efficient drapes is to help you reduce energy consumption and maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Your task is to assess the fabrics (usually heavier ones) and operation mechanism subtleties.

Some of the key aspects to maximise energy efficiency:

• Thermal Insulation: Look for window treatments made with special fabrics or linings that help prevent heat from escaping during winter and keep cool air inside during summer. Such hangings usually come in multiple layers, which enhance their insulation properties.
• Light Blocking: Specific fabrics effectively block the sun’s glare and reduce heat gain. Usually, such fabrics have a reflective layer that deflects sunlight in the summer (and bounces back indoor heat during winter).
• Heavy Materials: Energy-efficient draperies are usually of more dense fabrics like velvet or suede. While there are special technologies considered, heavier fabrics naturally have better insulating properties.
• Motorised Operation System: Motorised window treatments are game-changers regarding comfort and energy efficiency.
• Smart Home Integration: Connect your motorised draperies to your home automation system for seamless operation alongside other smart devices.

Remote control, timed schedules, and sunlight sensors are things you might want to consider as well. Automate your window coverings to adjust based on sunlight intensity. Set your draperies to open and close at specific times for natural waking, energy saving, and possibly even enhanced security while away.

How To Measure Drapes?

At Lex Blinds made to measure curtains shop, you can choose custom measurements according to your windows' shapes and sizes. The main factors to consider when measuring your window coverings are:

1. Window Dimensions: Measure the width and height of your window. For width, measure from one side of the frame to the other (add a few inches on each side to allow fabrics to cover the window fully when closed). For height, decide whether you want a fabric to fall just below the sill to the floor or extra-long curtains to pool slightly on the ground.
2. Curtain Fullness: Consider how full you want your draperies to be. A standard rule is to use 2 to 2.5 times the window width fabric to achieve a nice gather and drape when you draw the window dressings.
3. Hanging Method: Remember that your choice of curtain rod and how high above the window it will be placed can affect the length of your drapes. Want to give the room a sense of height? Then, ideally, rods should be hung 4 to 6 inches above the window frame.
4. Curtain Type: The style of curtain you choose (e.g., eyelet, pencil pleat, pinch pleat) can influence how you measure, as some headings require more fabric or different placement.
5. Functionality: Consider the purpose of your window treatments. Are they purely decorative, or do you need them to block light or provide insulation? This will impact the type of fabric you select, possibly the lining, and even the size.

As measuring the curtains is included in the final curtain price, you can entrust this precision work to our specialists.

How To Choose Window Curtains for Different Rooms?   

First and foremost, consider the purpose of the room and what ambience you want to create there. Assess the main factors: light control, level of privacy and maybe some special conditions (e.g., humidity in the kitchen zone). Regarding functionality, think of the operating mechanism that would be comfortable for you (whether manual or automated). For large, non-standard, hard-to-reach windows or if you want integration with smart home systems, motorised mechanisms are worth an investment.

Then, when you know the main qualities and functions you need, selecting fabrics that meet your needs and expectations will be more straightforward. Only then consider design subtleties – texture, patterns, colour palette, etc.

If you want a versatile option that creates light-filled spaces but still allows you to block light at night, we highly recommend considering window treatment layers.