Also known as tailored or pole top curtains, rod pocket curtains are the most basic curtain style with a sewn-in rod pocket at the top of each curtain panel. Rod pocket curtains work well layered under a valance, or with a sheer or shade underneath. They can be hung directly on a decorative or utility rod, or attached with clip-rings for an updated look and ease of movement at your window.

(left): Sanctuary Rod Pocket Curtains, (middle): Ticking Stripes Rod Pocket Curtains and (right): Buffalo Check Rod Pocket Curtains.

Named for the fabric tabs at the top of the curtains, tab top curtains are versatile and can look modern or country depending on your décor. Tie tab curtains are also in the "tab top" family and offer a relaxed, casual look as well as flexible tab length. Tab top curtains look best with a decorative rod.

(left): Weaver's Cloth Tab Top Curtains, (middle): San Marco Panels, and (right): Cotton Voile Tie-Tab Curtains.

Also called pinch pleated drapes, pinch pleated curtains have pleats across the top of each panel and are hung by curtain rings or clip rings. They can also be hung with drapery hooks or pins on a traverse rod for easy opening and closing at a window or door. Pinch pleated curtains work well for wider windows and for patio doors. Use with a decorative or traverse rod.

(left): Weaver's Cloth Pinch Pleat Curtains (middle): Weaver's Cloth Pinch Pleat Slider Panel and (right): Country Curtains Pinch Pleat Sheer.

Sometimes called kitchen curtains, café and tiers are simply shorter length curtains that cover the lower half of the window and provide privacy as well as being decorative. As such, they are often used in kitchens and bathrooms. Café curtains can also be topped off with a valance or swag for a more layered look. Use with decorative, tension or utility rods.

(left): Windowpane Plaid Tiers & Valance, (middle): Cabin Check Tier Curtains and (right): Hemstitch Tier Curtains.

Wonderful on their own or used as a layer underneath curtains or a valance. Sheers, laces and semi-sheers are light and airy and filter light beautifully at the window. Use with decorative, tension, or utility rods.

(left): Country Curtains Sheers, (middle): Tree of Life Lace Rod Pocket Panel (right): Seaside Lace Trimmed Valance & Lace Panels

Grommet top curtains are trendy and modern-looking and are wonderfully functional as the grommets help the curtain panels open and close easily on the curtain rod. Grommet top curtains look best when used with a decorative or wooden curtain rod.

(left): Pepperell Textured Grommet Top Curtains, (middle): Hawthorne Grommet Top Curtains, and (right): Portico Pleat Grommet Top Curtains.

Door panels, sidelights and slider panels are all types of curtains used to cover doors. Door panels and sidelights are narrow curtains used to cover windows found on standard doors and the sidelight windows to the sides of doors. Often these are made of sheer fabrics to allow some light to filter through, but still provide privacy. Slider panels are wider width curtains that are used to cover sliding doors or patio doors. Door panels and sidelights use door panel rods. Slider panels use decorative or traverse rods.

(left): Country Curtains Sheer Door Panel, (middle): Pineapple Sidelight and Door Panels (right): Celebration Pinch Pleat Slider Panel.