Draping has its own language, and while our team is happy to translate, it’s always helpful to know a few terms before your first consultation. So, consider this your cheat sheet. From full ceiling treatments to truss structures, here’s a guide to what the terms actually mean, and what they look like at real events.

Draping Vs. Swagging: What’s the Difference?

Classic floor-to-ceiling drapery instantly transforms any space. Freestanding hardware allows for these drapes to be placed anywhere.

Draping is the umbrella term used to describe using fabric to cover or transform a space. Most draping is intentionally installed with excess fabric to achieve a pleated and bunched look, rather than pulling it taut like a screen. A taut, flat finish is achievable too, it just takes less fabric and short hardware to pull off.

Swagging refers to a specific technique within draping; it’s often used to describe fabric that is gathered or pulled at defined points to create intentional folds, movement, or shape, rather than letting the panels fall freely.

Every swag is a drape, but not every drape is swagged.

Full vs. Partial Ceiling Treatment

Before choosing a specific style, it also helps to know which category you’re working within when you’re looking to swag a ceiling or tent top. 

Full treatment covers and obscures the entire ceiling in fabric, for a completely enclosed, cocooned feel. While partial treatment installs the fabric in increments, leaving gaps between swags so your venue ceiling, and often the sky beyond a clear-top tent, stays visible.

We can adapt almost any swagging style to either category, full or partial. Neither is better, it just depends on the result you’re after and we’re there to guide you through it.

Tent-top Draping

Centered Gathered Swag - Fabric panels are gathered at a central point overhead, creating an instant focal point. Add a statement lighting fixture of your choice to further emphasize your high ceilings.

Flat & Stretched - Fabric pulled taut for crisp, clean lines. This can be done at smaller or larger increments for light filtering, or a full treatment for coverage. It’s especially great for a clear-top tent if you’re looking for maximum light exposure, or can be done to add panels of color to your white-top structures.

Flat Swags (Wide/Thin) - Wide panels to bring symmetry and shade, or thin panels for an airy, minimalistic look.

Full Coverage Ceiling - Every inch draped, for a soft, cocooned feel inside your tent. This is the effect behind our Ethereal Sanctuary look, where the drapery extended to the structure’s facade for a continuous elegant result. Ideal for weddings or other intimate events where atmosphere is a priority.

Full coverage ceiling and walls create a space that feels completely enveloped in sandy pleats.

Wide to Gathered - Fabric panels start wide and narrow towards one end. Perfect if you’re looking for more movement than a flat swag, but more airyness than a full coverage treatment.

Custom Swagging

Billowed Swag - Multiple swags layered on a single run to create a voluminous and cascading look.

Contour Swag (Thin/Traditional) - Thin contour uses narrow, flatter panels to expose your venue’s ceiling. Traditional contour swag uses panels that are pinched along the length for a pleated effect that follows your ceiling structure.

Free Form Swag - Fabric styled without a strict pattern or structure. Typically, the fabric used is lighter to allow for an organic, undone look. This style is becoming increasingly popular in event designs.

Textural Swag - Falls between contour swag and free form swag: fabric panels draped from one point to another, but the patterning stays loose and varied rather than following a set rhythm.

Valance Style Drops - Short, scalloped drops of fabric. Think: old theater stage curtains. Best for entryways and anywhere a touch of drama is needed.

Scalloped drapes at this guest entrance bring an old Hollywood feel.

Wide Swag - Long, sweeping panels built for scale. The pick for a large space that needs to feel intentionally filled, not empty.

Semi-sheer wide swags are draped across this clear tent-top for partial coverage, softening the space while keeping the sky in view.

Leg Draping

Full Leg Drapes (Straight) - Complete coverage of structure poles. Minimal pleating for the cleanest look.

Tied Back Drapes - Fabric pulled to the side to frame an entrance or view. Also great to pair with any of our cabanas or framehouses for a traditionally elegant finish.

Billowy off-white legs and top drapes on our vineyard cabanas elegantly frame this long guest table.

Wide Coverage Leg Drapes - A combination of sheer and opaque fabrics are layered to add dimension to any anchoring pole.

Other Custom Draping

Frame Wraps - Fabric wrapped around a structure’s frame to hide hardware entirely.

Full Flat Swag & Drape - Ceiling to wall coverage over a hidden frame. For seamless room coverage.

Scalloped & Textural - A mix of vertical scallops and free form elements tailored exactly to your venue and vision.

Truss Draping (Center/Flat) - Trussing is a freestanding structure that allows us to drape overhead without a tent or structure. Like with other swagging styles, this can be done in any configuration depending on your preferred look. A great alternative for overhead coverage without the tent.

A single center truss tower anchors the white panels that radiate outward, no tent required.

Still not sure which look is right for you? Our online gallery and lookbooks are great sources for more inspiration.

Ready to test your drape knowledge? Contact us to bring your dream drape to life.