Every window, one playbook

This is the umbrella shelf: complete guides for the windows that do not behave like a standard rectangle. The french door guide and the bay window guide are the two most-read, each solving hardware, clearance and measuring for its geometry.

The same playbook covers arches and specialty shapes and sliding glass. Once the geometry is solved, fabric choice takes over, and that decision lives in the material categories: linen for light, blackout for sleep.

Quick answers

What is the difference between curtains and drapes?

Usage, mostly: drapes usually means lined, floor-length, formal; curtains covers everything lighter. Our reviews score both on the same sheet, so the label matters less than the specs.

How wide should curtain panels be?

Total fabric width should be 2 to 2.5 times the window width for proper fullness. Skimping to 1x is the single most common mistake in reader photos.

Should curtains touch the floor?

Yes, within half an inch, or puddle slightly for a softer look. High-water hems visually shrink the room, so we measure drop to the millimeter in every guide.