If you’ve ever found yourself lost in design terms while choosing new window treatments, you’re not alone. I’ve been in the design industry for over 30 years and love helping clients connect the dots between design vocabulary and design vision. Here’s a little window treatment glossary, explained through a designer’s eye, to help you feel more confident as you dream up your next project.
Draperies vs. Curtains
Yes, motorized window treatments are worth the investment. They provide effortless control, protect your interiors from harsh sunlight, and elevate your home’s overall design. More than a convenience, they’re a long-term investment in the way you live.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are one of my favorite ways to add softness and polish to a room. These classic fabric shades fold up evenly as they rise, offering privacy and light control in one elegant package. Whether flat and modern or relaxed and gathered, Roman shades bring warmth and versatility to kitchens, bedrooms, and living spaces.
Although Roman Shades are the single most custom type of shade we see commissioned (and likely the chicest), they are not always the most efficient, and can be a bit cumbersome if you intend to raise and lower them on a daily basis. If efficiency in operating is top priority, a roller or natural woods shade may be a better choice for you, and can always incorporate a faux Roman valance for style.
Hard Treatments
While draperies and fabric shades bring softness and movement, hard treatments add structure and precision. These include blinds, shades, and shutters, each offering distinct advantages.
Blinds (available in wood, metal, or fabric) provide flexible light control and a clean, modern aesthetic. Roller, woven, and cellular shades deliver simplicity and texture, pairing beautifully with draperies for a balanced look and often adding a layer of insulation. Custom shutters are a timeless choice in many Chattanooga homes, adding architectural charm while improving privacy and energy efficiency.
Valance vs. Cornice
Both valances and cornices are top-treatments that finish the top of a window, but they do it in different ways.
A valance is made from fabric and adds movement and texture. It can be pleated, gathered, or shaped for a softer look. A cornice, meanwhile, is a rigid, upholstered box that conceals drapery hardware and adds architectural presence.
Both work beautifully in designs where you want to draw the eye upward and add a touch of polish—and as a bonus, they can also help insulate your windows by reducing drafts and trapping heat, an elegant detail with practical benefits.
Linings and Interlinings
Lining is the unsung hero of every well-made drapery or shade. It gives fabric body, protects it from sunlight, and improves insulation — something every Tennessee homeowner appreciates during our seasonal temperature swings.
Interlining is an additional fabric layer placed between the face fabric and the lining. It adds fullness, luxury, and a beautiful drape. Once you’ve experienced interlined draperies, it’s hard to go back. They fall with the kind of weight and softness that only true custom work provides.
Traversing Hardware and Ripplefold Drapery
Traversing hardware allows your draperies to glide smoothly along a track, perfect for wide windows or doors. Pairing this with ripplefold drapery, where fabric forms even, wave-like folds, creates a clean, contemporary look that moves with ease. It’s both functional and sophisticated — an ideal solution for today’s open-concept homes and modern Chattanooga condos.
French Returns, Finials, and Hardware Accents
Hardware is the jewelry of your window treatments, and the details matter. A French return rod curves gracefully back toward the wall for a streamlined, tailored finish that eliminates the need for finials (ornaments affixed to the end of your curtain rods).
For clients who prefer more decorative options, finials come in countless shapes and materials, from classic crystal to warm brass, and add a touch of artistry to the design. These subtle choices can completely change the tone of a space, transforming practical hardware into a design statement.
Motorization vs. Automation
Today’s technology makes it easier than ever to combine beauty and convenience. Motorization allows you to raise or lower shades (or open and close draperies) with a remote or wall switch. Automation takes it a step further, integrating your window treatments into your smart home system for scheduled or voice-controlled operation.
In luxury homes throughout Chattanooga, automated window treatments are one of the most requested features. They make it simple to manage light, privacy, and energy efficiency — all with a touch of elegance and ease.
Pleat Styles
Pleats define the personality and movement of drapery panels. A pinch pleat (tacked at the bottom) offers timeless formality, while a Euro pleat (tacked at the top) feels more modern and relaxed. These subtle structural choices are what make custom drapery so distinctive. The fabric doesn’t just hang, it flows with intention.
Trim Details
Trim is one of my favorite ways to express personality in a room. A bold contrast tape down the leading edge of a drapery panel, a delicate bead or gimp trim along a valance — these small details add depth and craftsmanship. Trims can tie together colors from across the room or highlight architectural lines, creating harmony and polish that read as “designer” from the moment you walk in.
Why Window Treatments Matter
Every term in this list represents a design choice that impacts how your home feels and functions. Custom window treatments are about so much more than fabric. They’re about proportion, craftsmanship, and intention. When every detail works together, your home doesn’t just look beautiful, it feels better to live in.
At Chattanooga Window Treatments, I guide every client through these decisions, making our turnkey process as lovely as the finished product. Whether you’re building your dream home or refreshing a favorite space, understanding the language of design helps you create something truly timeless.
If you’re ready to explore custom drapery, shades, or shutters for your Chattanooga home, I’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Reach out today to get started.
