Which Is Right for You - Eyelet, Pencil, or Pinch Pleat Curtains?

With window treatments, there are an endless variety of curtain styles and blinds to choose. Even when you narrow it down to the broad categories of curtains and roller blinds, you still have multiple types to consider. When shopping for curtains, you may be unsure whether eyelet, pencil, or pinch pleat curtains will best suit your needs.

So, in today’s post, we will take a closer look at each of these curtain header styles to help you make an informed decision. Breaking down the pros and cons of each as well as what type of application they are best suited for, scroll down to find out all of the key decision making factors between eyelet, pencil pleat and pinch pleat curtains.

Should You Buy Eyelet, Pencil, or Pinch Pleat Curtains?

Regardless of which style you decide to buy, QuickFit Blinds & Curtains has every type of window treatment you ever need. We offer a wide variety of curtain panels, including eyelet, pencil, and pinch pleat, as well as a great selection of rods, brackets, and finials to help you customise the look of your windows.

To help you make a decision between choosing eyelet, pencil pleat or pinch pleat curtains, scroll down through our list of pros and cons and enjoy a short description of each type of window treatment:

• Pros & Cons of Eyelet Curtains
• Pros & Cons of Pencil Pleat Curtains
• Pros & Cons of Pinch Pleat Curtains

Eyelet Curtains

Eyelet curtains are a type of curtain panel that features wide rings, or eyelets, at the header. The eyelet often features a decorative silver or gold grommet every few inches that gives the panel a clean, simple aesthetic.

How To Hang Eyelet Curtains?

Eyelet curtains are very easy to hang. Most grommets will accommodate curtain rods up to 32 millimetres in diameter. To hang eyelet curtains, you will need two to three brackets, depending on the width of your window opening. Once you have screwed the brackets to the wall, simply feed the curtain rod through the grommets and hang it on the bracket.

Pros and Cons of Eyelet Curtains

Eyelet curtains inject a chic, modern appeal to any room in which they are hung. The grommets allow the curtain to glide almost effortlessly along the rod, making opening and closing the curtains simple. In addition, eyelet curtains can be hung neatly both open and closed which gives you plenty of variety.

Benefits of eyelet curtains:

• Easy to hang and install.
• Wide variety of fabrics to choose from
• Modern, chic appearance.
• Easy to open and close.
• Suitable for hanging on curtain poles (not tracks).
• Available with precise measurements.

Negatives of eyelet curtains:

• Often made bigger than required.

Pencil Pleat Curtains

Featuring header pleats that are thin and long, similar to the size and shape of a pencil, pencil pleat curtains are a popular choice amongst those who want their curtains to exude an air of elegance and formality. Perfect for both the bedroom and lounge areas, pencil pleats take centre stage throughout any household.

How To Hang Pencil Pleat Curtains?

To hang pencil pleat curtains, you will need two to three brackets, a sturdy curtain rod, curtain rings, and a pack of hooks. On the back side of the header, you will notice there are three cords that can be pulled to create the pleats and customise the width of the panel. Once you have pulled the cords to create the look you desire, simply slide the hooks into the slots on the back of the header and attach them to the hooks on the curtain rod.

Pros and Cons of Pencil Pleat Curtains

Homeowners love the elegant opulence that pencil pleat curtains lend to their indoor spaces, and this type of curtain is well-suited for more formal rooms, such as a formal dining room or sitting room. They are easy to hang, and they provide the aesthetic of professionally installed curtains without the cost. 

Benefits of pencil pleat curtains:

• Easy to hang and install.
• Can be hung on any type of track or pole.
• Less extravagant than box pleat curtains
• Wide variety of fabrics to choose
• Formal design that works with bold patterns.
• Easy to wash and remove hooks.
• Available with precise measurements.

Negatives of pencil pleat curtains:

• Can cause bunching at the top of the curtain.

Pencil pleat curtains are available in a wide variety of styles, colours, and pattern, making them a very versatile window treatment.

Pinch Pleat Curtains

This style of curtain panel is similar to pencil pleat curtains, only the pleats at the header are not gathered as tightly. Rather than there being only a few millimetres of space between gathers, the pleats on these panels may be as much as a few inches apart. As such, there are many similarities when it comes to the pros and cons of pinch pleat curtains in comparison to pencil pleats too.

Double pleats and Dutch pleats are the two most common styles of pinch pleat panels.

How To Hang Pinch Pleat Curtains?

These panels are installed in a similar fashion to pencil pleat panels. To hang pinch pleat curtains, all you need is two to three brackets, a curtain rod, rings, and hooks. Often times, the hooks are sewed right to the backing of the header when they are manufactured. Simply attach the hooks to the rings and run your hand down the length of the panel to smooth out the folds to enjoy your new curtains.

Pros and Cons of Pinch Pleat Curtains

Pinch pleat curtains provide a classic, tailored appearance that many homeowners love. They strike the right balance between the simplicity of eyelet curtains and the elegance of pencil pleat curtains. Because they are so versatile, pinch pleat panels are often a popular choice for shoppers who are searching for a set of curtains that can be incorporated into a wide variety of decor styles, from casual to formal.

Benefits of pinch pleat curtains:

• Easy to hang and install (just like pencil pleats).
• Look great in both chic and formal settings.
• A wide variety of fabrics to choose
• Easy to wash and remove hooks.
• Available with precise measurements.
• A solid middle ground between eyelet and pencil pleats.

Negatives of pinch pleat curtains:

• Can cause bunching at the top of the curtains.
• Not suitable for all types of tracks.
• More traditional, not contemporary.

The Final Word.

The decision between choosing eyelet, pencil or pinch pleat curtains will ultimately boil down to your budget and room style. Most often, customers purchase pinch pleat curtains as they are seen as the middle ground between eyelets and pencil pleats. However, that does come at the compromise of them looking a little more traditional.

Once you have decided on the right curtain style for your interior spaces, look no further than the expansive inventory that we offer at Quickfit Blinds. In addition to  free fabric swatches to help you compare colours and materials, returns are simple and shipping is only $9.95 on all ready-made items. Additionally, we offer custom-made curtains for those shoppers who want to completely customise their window treatments. Call us at 0422584155 today with questions, or shop online now to discover the best curtain deals in Australia!

Check out the wide variety of curtains available at the following link, including our 20 popular curtains!