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Home Décor, Soft Furnishings
The right pair of curtains elevates a room. They frame a window, soften hard lines, hold in a little warmth and set the mood from the moment you draw them each evening. But before you fall for a colour or a pattern, there’s one decision worth understanding first: the style of the curtain itself.
When we talk about different types of curtains, we’re usually talking about the heading ~ the way the top of the curtain is pleated and gathered. It’s the detail that decides how your curtains hang, how full they look, and whether they belong on a pole or a track. At Graham & Brown we offer four heading styles, and this guide walks you through each one so you can choose with confidence.
The heading is simply the top edge of the curtain, where it attaches to your pole or track. Different headings create different folds ~ from relaxed and contemporary to neat and tailored ~ and each has its own character. Understanding the four styles is the easiest way to picture how a finished curtain will look at your window.
Eyelet curtains are a relaxed, contemporary classic. Metal rings ~ the eyelets ~ are set directly into the top of the fabric, so the curtain threads straight onto the pole and falls into soft, even, wide folds. They’re wonderfully simple to hang and to slide open, which makes them an easy, everyday choice.
A couple of things to know: eyelet curtains are best paired with a curtain pole around 35mm in diameter, and because the rings sit within the fabric itself, they’re designed for poles rather than tracks.
Pencil pleat curtains take their name from their neat, tightly gathered folds, which look rather like a row of upright pencils. The pleats are formed by pulling the cords in the heading tape, so you can gather the curtain to suit your space. It’s a timeless, versatile style that sits happily in almost any room.
We offer pencil pleats in both 3-inch and 6-inch headings, and they can be hung on most curtain poles and tracks – making them one of the most adaptable styles we sell.
Wave curtains are the most contemporary of our headings ~ a clean, minimalist look in which the fabric falls in a continuous, uniform wave. The effect comes from hooks set at regular intervals along the heading, holding those soft, even curves gently in place.
Wave curtains come complete with their own track, so you have everything you need for a beautifully crisp finish. One thing to bear in mind: because of the way the heading is constructed, they aren’t suitable for bay windows.
Pinch pleat curtains are the most tailored and formal of the four. Like pencil pleats they’re tightly gathered, but here the pleats are stitched permanently into the fabric, giving a fuller, more structured and beautifully finished look that never needs adjusting.
They come in two variations ~ double pleat and an even fuller triple pleat ~ and in 4-inch or 6-inch headings, so you can choose just how generous you’d like the gathers to be. Like pencil pleats, they can be hung on either poles or tracks.
Because the heading decides what your curtains hang from, it’s worth a quick word on the two options. A pole is the more decorative, visible choice, and the more versatile ~ it happily takes eyelet, pencil pleat and pinch pleat curtains. A track is the more discreet option, often hidden behind the fabric once everything is in place, for a neater, pared-back look ~ pencil pleat curtains are perfect if you don’t want the track to be visible.
Knowing whether you’re working with a pole or a track before you order is genuinely useful, as it can change the way you measure.
One lovely detail worth knowing: eyelet and wave curtains are made with permanent folds built into the fabric, so they contain more material than the width you order. A curtain ordered at a given width is measured closed ~ laid flat, the fabric will sit wider. It’s all part of achieving that full, even drape, and it’s why we always recommend measuring your pole, track or required finished width rather than an existing pair of curtains.
Once you’ve settled on a heading, the fun really begins. Our curtains come in a range of designs to suit every room and mood: nature-inspired leaf prints, characterful florals, playful animal designs, and beautifully simple plain styles across a wide spread of colours. And because we design our fabrics alongside our wallpapers and paints, it’s easy to find curtains that partner perfectly with the rest of your scheme
With the four styles clear, you’re well on your way. When you’ve found the look you love, our handy guide to measuring for curtains will help you get every dimension just right ~ and if you have any questions along the way, our team is always happy to help.
Inspired by the outdoors, our leaf print curtains introduce natural pattern and colour into your home. Available in soft neutrals or vibrant shades, they’re designed to bring fresh tones to any room in your home.
Bring effortless style to every room with our plain curtains. Choose from a wide range of colours and styles, including on-trend grey pencil pleats or eye-catching blue, purple and green designs.
Express your style with our floral curtains. Whether you choose elegant classic florals for living areas or playful ditsy and abstract designs for bedrooms and children’s rooms, each style adds character to your space.
Showcase personality and pattern with designs made to stand out. Our animal print curtains add distinctive style, infusing charm and character into bedrooms, children’s rooms and living areas.
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