5 Stylish Curtain Tieback & Holdback Ideas

Curtain tiebacks are functional and stylish additions to your home. They do many things, from letting the full amount of light into the room to stopping us tripping over pooled fabric, to providing a thoughtful detail of a little extra care taken in your interior design.

Whether you’re looking for ways to enhance your statement-making living room or bedroom curtain design, or you simply want to find out the best ways to tie your curtains back each day, this blog has 5 modern, stylish suggestions. We’ll also cover the differences between curtain holdbacks and tiebacks, so you can work out exactly what you’re after.

Top 5 Curtain Tieback Ideas

Here's 5 stylish curtain tieback and holdback ideas:

1. Natural Elements
2. Romantic & Classic Tiebacks
3. Vintage & Rustic Looks
4. Floral Accents
5. Boho Influences

1. Natural Elements

With the trend for curtains and beyond incorporating natural elements in home design across colour, texture and fabric, there’s no reason not to extend this interior theme to your curtain tiebacks and drawbacks. Wood is an especially popular material choice for hard curtain drawbacks, and can also be reminiscent of Japanese interior design and the love of simplicity in nature.

Alternatively, materials such as linen, old rope and woven fabric can create a serene atmosphere to your curtains, and will most likely look softer (and better) as tiebacks. Choose natural, earthy tones such as beiges, creams, dark greens and rich browns to enhance the rejuvenating scene further.

2. Romantic & Classic Tiebacks

Traditionally, we picture a lot of frilly fabric and detailing around curtain tiebacks, which is in line with the flowing, ornate character of late mid-century homes when they were most popular as a decorative feature. If you’re after this cosy, homely feel, classic tiebacks will help you get there. The focus is on pastel colours, soft fabrics and gentle materials that avoid harsh lines.

You can maximise this style by incorporating it into the curtain designs themselves – paisley patterns and long, flowing fabrics will add most to the aesthetic. Or, switch up your minimalist decor with nods to warmer interior styles, and hints of romanticism in the shape of classic hardbacks and tiebacks.

3. Vintage & Rustic Looks

For a vintage look that is inspired by the past without returning to it, you’ll probably want small, discreet curtain tiebacks that are attached to the wall. This will retain the uniform structure of your fabric, which is great for pinch-pleat curtains and S-Fold curtains, without making the room look too harsh. A few tassels can also add to the look – but don’t go overboard here.

If you want a rustic feel that still has modern edge, consider incorporating leather into your fabrics. Repurpose old belts or add unfolded wallets with hooks, though you can also get purpose-made leather tiebacks for Western-style lounge curtain holders that will have you feeling as though you’re relaxing in an old saloon.

4. Floral Influences

There are so many ways to incorporate a touch of nature into your window covering design and blur the lines between where the indoor stops and the outdoor begins. You can install a rigid drawback that acts as a holder for drying flowers and foliage as a fitting impression of the current season. Alternatively, pick a minimalist curtain holdback that blends into the fabric or the wall it’s mounted on, and cover over it with trailing leaves – you’ll want these relatively fixed in place so they don’t tangle or get covered up in your curtain fabric each time you pull them across.

Most often faux flowers and foliage are the better choice to achieve these looks, but with the right styling, you can still pull off an authentic atmosphere. If flowers are too fragile for your interior tastes, try acorns, interesting driftwood or beautiful stems.

5. Boho Accents

Australians love a boho accent in their homes, and curtains are often one of the most popular ways to achieve this ever-trending look. Upcycle your old dressers, flowing skirts, ties and long necklaces and beads to use as wrap-around soft curtain tiebacks. Overlapping textures and fabrics will help create a rich atmosphere with plenty of depth. You can also use other, more unusual materials in interesting shapes from the natural world, such as feathers and shells.

If you want a slightly more structured look, repurpose your bangles, and even the holders of your favourite chipped tea cups. Though you want your drawback installation to be secure, an authentic boho interior isn’t worried about perfection, matching items or perfectly levelled looks, making it a low-maintenance curtain solution.

Curtain Tiebacks & Holdbacks Explained

Now we've listed some stylish ideas to upgrade your curtain tieback and holdbacks, you may be wondering what the difference is between curtain tiebacks and curtain holdbacks.

Firstly, curtain tiebacks offer a more flexible, softer furnishing for your window coverings. Typically, they're made from embellished rope, tassels and similar fabrics that wrap around the curtain itself to tie it back and can be removed and adjusted as needed.

On the contrary, Curtain holdbacks provide a more fixed, rigid point to drape the curtain when pulled back. Holdbacks stay in one place, and create a more structured look to a drawn curtain, as they’re installed to the wall and only allow the curtains to move around their fixed position.

Holding It All Together

Curtain tiebacks and holdbacks look small, but they do plenty of important jobs. These little details are easy to overlook, but they’re an equally important part of your curtain decision-making process. So along with your curtain rods, tracks and other accessories, don’t neglect them as a final thought, but consider them from the get-go with the aesthetic, tone and environment you want to create when shopping for your curtains.

And don’t forget – Quickfit offers an affordable custom-made service for our products, so we can help design and create the perfect curtains made uniquely for your home.

Contact us today so we can get started on yours.