Curtain Heading Styles
The heading is one of the most important decisions in curtain design. It affects how your curtains drape, how well they stack back from the window, how much fabric is required, and how the finished result feels in the room.
Pencil Pleat Curtains
Pencil pleat curtains are created by sewing a tape with drawstrings to the inside top of the curtain, pulled to gather the fabric into tight, neat folds that resemble a row of pencils. They work on tracks or poles.
Best for: lighter fabrics, smaller windows, café curtains.
Watch out for: medium-weight or fully lined curtains on larger windows. Pencil pleat can create too much bulk and make it genuinely difficult to stack the curtains clear of the window, leaving you with a frustratingly blocked view.
Single Pinch Pleat Curtains
A single fold pinched at the top, evenly spaced along the heading and separated by flat sections of fabric. Modern, space-efficient, and neatly stacked.
Works better on wider windows: on smaller windows, you may only fit a few pleats, which can look sparse. A good choice if you prefer a more relaxed look or are working to a tighter budget, as it typically requires a little less fabric than a double pleat.
Double Pinch Pleat Curtains
Two folds pinched together at the top, evenly spaced with flat sections between.
'The double pinch pleat is our go-to heading. It is structured, elegant, and neat, and it looks good whether the curtains are open or closed. There is nothing nicer than full-length sheer curtains with a double pinch pleat heading.' — Katherine Brown
Works equally well in contemporary and traditional settings. Our most recommended heading for the widest range of applications.
Triple Pinch Pleat Curtains
Three pinches of fabric at each pleat point, creating more volume and a more formal, generous drape. Uses more fabric than a single or double pleat, which can be too much for smaller windows. Best suited to larger windows in traditional or luxurious settings.
Euro Pleat Curtains
A modern variation of the pinch pleat where the fabric is pinched at the very top of the curtain rather than lower down. The result is the structure of a double pinch pleat with a slightly more relaxed, contemporary finish. A good choice for rooms that want structure without formality.
Goblet Pleat Curtains
A decorative heading shaped like an inverted wine glass, creating a distinctive, ornate drape. Visually striking, and easy to see why clients are drawn to them.
The important limitation: goblet pleats do not stack back well because of the size of the heading. They are not practical for curtains that need to be opened and closed daily. On a narrow window, you may find the curtains cannot clear the glass at all.
Where they work beautifully:
- A landing window where curtains are rarely touched
- A formal dining room with curtains scooped back on tie backs
- Any window where the curtains are purely decorative
If you are drawn to the goblet look, tell us. We will make sure the windows you have in mind are actually suited to it before we proceed.
Wave Curtains
A contemporary heading using a specially engineered flat tape that, when used with a compatible track or pole, creates a continuous soft 'S' wave along the top of the curtain.
Very clean, very modern, and it stacks back neatly. The specialist gliders this heading requires do affect stack size, so this is something to factor in before committing. Works particularly well on room dividers, where the tape can be hidden between two layers of fabric.
Eyelet Curtains
Metal rings punched into the top of the curtain, threaded directly onto a pole. Simple to hang and very familiar from the high street.
Less suited to bespoke work: on larger windows the heading can be difficult to operate smoothly, and it allows light to enter at both the top and bottom, making it a poor choice where blackout matters.
'We have seen a big decline in the popularity of eyelet headings. Functionality and fashion have both moved on.' — Katherine Brown
Tab Top Curtains
Fabric loops sewn to the top of the curtain, hung directly over a pole. Casual and informal. Best suited to dress curtains or café curtains that do not need to be opened and closed regularly.
Rod Pocket / Slot Top Curtains
A pocket sewn along the top of the curtain through which a rod or pole is threaded. We make this heading type for café curtains only, where the curtains are intended to stay in position permanently. Pulling a slot top heading back is essentially impossible: the fabric will not travel. For any curtain that needs to function as a proper, openable window treatment, choose a different heading.
Functional And Specialist Curtains
These terms describe what a curtain is designed to do rather than how it is headed. Any heading style above can be combined with any of the following functional treatments.
Blackout Curtains
Curtains made with a specialist blackout lining that blocks virtually all incoming light. Essential for bedrooms, shift workers, and children's rooms.
One thing worth knowing: the face fabric makes no difference to blackout performance. The lining does the work. This means you can use a beautiful, lightweight fabric and still achieve genuine darkness. See our full guide to achieving blackout in the bedroom without sacrificing style.
Sheer And Voile Curtains
Lightweight, translucent curtains that filter natural light and provide daytime privacy without blocking the light. Often used as a first layer behind heavier curtains or in front of a blackout blind. Double pinch pleat sheers in particular create an elegant effect that works in almost any room.
Thermal And Interlined Curtains
What is the difference between lined and interlined? A lined curtain has two layers: face fabric and lining. An interlined curtain has three: face fabric, a soft felt-like interlining, and a lining. That middle layer is what makes the difference.
What interlining gives you:
- A noticeably fuller, more luxurious drape
- Better heat retention
- Genuine noise reduction, particularly useful near busy roads
- Extra body for finer fabrics that might otherwise look a little flat
'Lined and interlined curtains look more luxurious, and they perform better. If you have got a beautiful fabric and a generous window, interlining is one of the most rewarding upgrades you can make.' — Katherine Brown
A practical note: interlined curtains are bulkier than standard lined curtains, so they are not always right for smaller windows or tight bay configurations where stack space is limited. They also carry an additional cost for both materials and making time. We will always let you know if interlining is appropriate for your specific windows before recommending it.
Café Curtains
Short curtains covering the lower half of a window only, allowing light in at the top while providing privacy at eye level. Popular in kitchens, pantries, and period properties. Pencil pleat or tab top headings work particularly well at this shorter length. For a more sophisticated look, double pinch pleat also works well.
How To Choose The Right Curtain For Your Room
The heading, function, and fabric need to work together with your window size, room style, and how you actually live in your home. As a starting point:
- For privacy: layer sheer curtains with a heavier outer curtain or blackout blind.
- For blackout: full-length curtains with blackout lining and a corded track with a covered lath and fascia.
- For a contemporary room with large windows: wave heading on a specialist track.
- For a traditional or formal room with generous ceiling height: double or triple pinch pleat in a rich fabric, lined and interlined.
The honest answer is that the right choice depends entirely on your specific situation. That is why every project begins with a design visit rather than an off-the-shelf recommendation.
Ready To Find The Right Curtains For Your Home?
Whether you know exactly what you want or are starting from scratch, we will guide you through every decision, from heading style and fabric to lining and hardware. Katherine and her team work from their London workroom across London, the Home Counties and the Cotswolds. Get in touch to arrange a design visit and start turning your windows into something you will love every day.
About Katherine Brown
Katherine Brown is a London-based bespoke curtain and blind designer working with private homeowners and interior designers across the city. She is known for solving challenging window dilemmas without compromising on style, and for giving clients the confidence to make bold, beautiful decisions. Every project begins with a personal design visit.
