// Blog // A Simple Guide to Custom Draperies

A Simple Guide to Custom Draperies

Sep 12, 2025

Custom draperies can feel like an overwhelming undertaking to many people. With endless fabrics, pleat styles, hardware, and operation methods to consider, they can almost feel too customizable.

With a few simple steps, you can narrow down your vision and create draperies that are both beautiful and functional. We hope this helps you feel less intimidated, and know that our team at The Shade Shop is here to help!

1. DEFINE THE PURPOSE

Do you want draperies for aesthetic purposes, such as to soften the room, add texture/pattern, or to create height? Or are you looking for a specific functionality, like blackout for better sleep, or light-filtering for daytime privacy? Capturing the why behind your draperies is the perfect place to start and helps us guide you.

2. FIND INSPIRATION

Have you seen something you love online or in a friend’s home? If you share a photo with us, we can replicate the draperies you love - down to the pleat style, fabric, and decorative hardware. Since we custom make our draperies in our workroom, they can be perfectly tailored to your vision.

If you’re looking for inspiration, check us out on Instagram: @theshadeshopinc

3. SELECT A FABRIC

Of course, fabric selection plays a leading role in custom draperies. You are welcome to choose from our extensive collection in our showroom or to bring in your own “COM” (Customer’s Own Material) from a fabric store or online. We’ll calculate the yardage for you and make sure you get the perfect amount.

4. CONSIDER OPERATION

If you want draperies purely for aesthetics, consider stationary panels that soften a room, while also being a smaller investment.

If you plan to open and close your draperies for privacy or light control, you’ll of course want operable draperies. Consider if you want manual operation or a motorized track (ideal for wide expanses or hard-to-reach windows).

WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

Our team is here to take the overwhelm out of the custom drapery process.

Visit our showroom to see the various pleat styles in person, browse fabrics, and chat with our experienced, design-savvy team. We would love to help with your drapery project!

Client Testimonials

Larry and his team at The Shade Shop are one of my best vendors in Houston. I would highly recommend them!

Meg Lonergan Interiors

As architects, we thoroughly enjoy working with the Shade Shop. Larry and his team are so skilled and knowledgeable with all things solar. From roller shades, draperies, exterior shading, shutters, you name it!

Dillon Kyle Architects

We are extremely pleased with the window treatments that were made & installed by the Shade Shop. We did soft, timeless Roman shades and curtains, which are the quality you'd expect in a high-end hotel. Everyone on the staff was responsive and professional, and the quality of both the products and installation was top-notch.

Nathan Hoot

Moving to Houston and into a renovated house, I had a major blind/shutter job on my hands. There are so many companies out there and my goal was to balance quality, aesthetics, and price. I assumed a local shop wouldn’t be competitive with a major chain, but I was (happily!) very wrong. I found exactly the look and quality I wanted, for a reasonable price, and with unbelievable service. Nothing beats being able to take your time to review options, try out swatches at home, and then feel like you’re getting personalized care through the ordering and installation process. I highly recommend that you go straight to the Shade Shop!

Johnna Gluth

As a member of the design community I have depended on The Shade Shop for more than twenty years. Their professionalism and product quality never disappoint.

David Brantley

Highly recommended! The entire process was flawless. Everyone was easy to work with, great products, great installers, and great customer service. There's no other place to go for window treatments. We love our motorized shades. They are beautiful to look at and they work perfectly.

Brian Davis

We purchased the motorized roll-up shades for our outdoor patio area. Love, love, LOVE them! We also purchased fantastic quality plantation shutters for our windows. What can I say? I love them as well. VERY HAPPY with both purchases. I would highly recommend "The Shade Shop, Inc." In fact, I just recommended them to our daughter!

Minnie Acevedo

Shade Shop is a first class business. We had such a wonderful experience working with the staff from start to finish for our shades. They were very prompt and professional and communicated with us every step of the way. We couldn't be happier with our new shades!!! I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone in the market!!!

Liba Stern

Would recommend this team to anyone looking for professional drapery services. They have shown great customer attention and executed the project flawlessly, with excellent quality. Thank you guys!

Richard Parker

Wonderful folks work here and are very responsive! Very professional, can't say enough good things about them.

Carolyn Boyle

Any Questions?

Our experienced staff is always happy to help. Please visit our showroom at any time, give us a call, or fill out the form below. If you are interested in a preliminary quotation, feel free to provide approximate dimensions in the comments field.