Janet Kronbach They are "shutters." They swing open to allow one to make the bed more easily. They have a magnet at the bottom (on the inside) to snap it in place and what is called (in the US) a barrel bolt on the top (also inside) to anchor it in place. The storage underneath the bed is for suitcases for our guests. The curtains are hung on a rod that is tucked up inside and behind the decorative scrolling at the top of the bed. The curtains allow for privacy at night, so someone can read, if they wish, while others sleep. You can see we wired for an outlet and a small nightlight. We wish we had wired for a light switch and light in each bed. =)