Readymade Pleated Curtains & Drapery Panels
Let’s chat window treatments today! I love a french pleated, euro pleat, double & triple pleated, as well as fan folded drapery panels. They feel so elegant and always hang perfectly while looking tailored and intentional. Shortly after moving into our current home, I realized this house was perfectly suited for beautiful curtains that could elongate the extra tall ceilings and beautifully frame our colonial windows and french doors. Unlike our last home that was more modern and required lots of custom roman shades, this place got me excited about drapery again. The only issue? Sticking to a budget when you have lots of windows to outfit can be tricky. Pleated curtains are often custom and come with a hefty price tag. I splurged on custom curtains for my home office before we even started renovating! Check out that project (along with the cost) in this post. If you’re not taking the custom route for the sake of the budget, good pleated drapery can be difficult to source. I thought it was time I rounded up some good options that look high-end or custom, minus the expensive price tag that comes with fully custom window treatments. Many of these are semi customizable (select your length, color, fabric, etc), so be sure to click through to explore all the options!Â
Why layer or frame windows with drapery panels in the first place- especially if you have a roman shade, woven shade, or roller shade? Panels create an added layer of climate control or thermal protection that helps keep heat or cool air from escaping, they can also add an additional layer of privacy, and of course for aesthetic purposes. Ready to check out some options?
Click directly on the drapery swatches to be redirected to the source, or use the numbered links below the collage to shop…
01: sheer faux linen curtain // 02: pinch pleat curtain with banding // 03: taupe linen pleated curtains // 04: semi sheer pleated curtains // 05: pleated knot curtains // 06: toile pleated curtains // 07: linen pinch pleat curtain // 08: solid pleated curtain
When looking for readymade options, be sure to take precise measurements. Instead of having a professional take measurements for you- it’s up to you to create a customized look with readymade panels. Remember that pleated panels are usually less in width, so your windows may require more than one on each side- depending on the window size. I like my curtains to barely kiss the floor, in regards to length- so usually I want those to hover about 1/2″ or less above the floor. Drapery hardware also goes a long way in making window treatments feel more customized. Be sure to choose hardware that is appropriate for your home and aesthetic.
01: double pleated curtain // 02: thermal pleated curtain // 03: edge banded pleated curtains // 04: triple pinch pleat curtains // 05: linen pleated curtains // 06: designer pleated curtains // 07: pleated drapery panel // 08: velvet pleated curtains
It’s also beneficial to think long term. For example, in my home office- I opted for pleated panels even though I have a cornice board that covers the top track. Should I ever want to remove the cornice boards, I’ll have beautiful drapery below that can work well on its own.
Keep in mind, you can also customize readymade panels yourself- with minimal effort. Add an appliqué or banded edge for a customized look, hem the curtains to the perfect length, or you can even pleat the curtains yourself, if you’d prefer to buy basic panels.
I’ve even added pleating hooks to Ikea panels in the past (pictured above), so don’t let your budget restrict you when it comes to tailoring your window treatments to perfectly fit your home. It just takes a little creativity and thinking outside the box to achieve a polished or unique look. If you’re on a tight budget, be sure to check out resources like Amazon and Ikea. If you’re interested in semi customization, Etsy is an amazing resource filled with talented people who can sew and alter window treatments for less.
Hopefully this post is a helpful resource if you’re thinking about updating or adding window treatments to your home. Let me know if you have any questions! I’m always happy to help.
