A curtain is a piece of fabric or cloth intended to block light or air; it usually adorns a door or window. It is also the heavy drape or movable screen in an auditorium or theatre that serves as a divider or separator between the stage and the rest of the auditorium.
The words 'drape' and 'curtain' are commonly used in denotation. However, drapes can be easily distinguished from curtains by the lining or fabric attached on the reverse of the drapes; this is done to prevent the fabric from fading from harsh sunlight, to protect interior spaces from harmful UV rays and to correct adverse lighting situations such as harsh or irregular lighting. The lining fabric also adds weight to the drapes and gives a better fall especially when the drapes are placed on windows.
Decorating a home interior in itself is a dilemma because of the vast options that are there - wall paint or wall paper, rugs or carpets, hardwood or tiled flooring, laminated or plain windows etc. Curtains also present a similar design dilemma in the range of fabrics, designs, styles, sizes and colors but they provide the last and finishing touches to the interiors of a room. Besides, choosing curtains which are practical to use and clean unlike heavy curtains of fabrics like satin, velvet etc. is a better choice. Using casual cotton curtains that can be easily washed and changed provide more options to give rooms a different look each time. Curtains are a form of window treatment and can complete alter the overall look of a home. The type of fabric, colors and the styles can dramatically change the settings and interiors in a room; just designer furniture alone or a room full of curios, handicrafts and collectors' items cannot give a room a complete feel. These help control the flow of natural light and air and create the right ambience in daytime or night time.
Curtain fabrics can vary depending on several factors like cleanability, dust and moisture retention, fire resistance, noise absorption etc. They can be easily moved by hand or with cords and the high-end curtains that cover tall windows which are inaccessible to human hands can be moved with the help of remote controlled devices. Curtain sizes depend on the type of window, size of window, type of fabric and style, design etc.
The shutters found in homes in the tropics and in warmer climates is an adaptation of the curtain. Shutters are usually fixed or fastened to the exterior of doors and windows to provide privacy and keep out sunlight.