Custom Drapery Buying Guide

Drapery is where a room goes from finished to designed. It adds height, softness, color, and a sense of luxury that hard treatments alone can't provide. Custom drapery — made to your exact windows, in your fabric, with the right lining and hardware — is what separates a tailored look from off-the-shelf panels that never quite fit. This guide covers each decision that goes into it.

Custom vs. Ready-Made

Ready-made panels come in fixed sizes and a handful of fabrics, and on the tall or wide windows common in Southwest Florida homes they usually hang short or bunch awkwardly. Custom drapery is built to your measurements with the fullness, length, and finish you choose, so it breaks correctly at the floor and frames the window the way it should.

Choosing Fabric & Lining

• Sheers — airy and light, they diffuse harsh sun and add movement while keeping a bright, open feel.
• Linen and cotton blends — a relaxed, natural drape that suits coastal-transitional interiors.
• Heavier weaves and blackout lining — add insulation and darkness for bedrooms and media rooms.
• Lining choice — from light-filtering to blackout — controls light, privacy, and how full the panel looks.

Pleat Styles

Hardware & Mounting

1. 1

   Rods vs. tracks

   Decorative rods make a statement; discreet tracks (including motorized) suit a clean, minimal look and long spans.

2. 2

   Mounting height

   Hanging the rod high and wide — near the ceiling and past the frame — makes windows look taller and rooms grander.

3. 3

   Motorization

   As a Lutron Certified Dealer, we can motorize drapery so large panels glide open on a schedule or scene.

Layering Over Shades & Shutters

Drapery pairs beautifully with functional treatments. Let shades, shutters, or blinds handle everyday light and privacy, then add drapery for softness, height, and color. Layering is one of the easiest ways to make big Florida windows and sliders feel warm and complete.