Finials and cornices and valances, oh my! In the world of custom drapes, tricky terminology can require an entire glossary. When it comes to the curtains vs. drapes confusion, though, the answer is relatively simple: there is no difference between curtains and drapes. The terms are often used interchangeably. At the same time, at Strickland’s Fabrics & Draperies, we prefer the phrases drapes and draperies. Here’s why.