The header style of your curtains, meaning how they attach to and hang from your rod or track, significantly affects both the appearance and functionality of your window treatments. Different header styles create distinctly different looks, from casual and relaxed to formal and tailored. Understanding these options helps you choose curtains that complement your home's aesthetic and meet your practical needs.
Each header style also requires specific hardware and affects how easily curtains can be opened and closed. This guide explores the most popular curtain hanging styles, their visual characteristics, compatible hardware, and ideal applications.
Rod Pocket (Channel) Headers
The rod pocket is one of the most traditional and widely used curtain header styles. It features a sewn channel at the top of the curtain through which the curtain rod threads directly. When hung, the fabric gathers along the rod, creating a soft, ruffled effect at the top.
Characteristics
- Creates a gathered, romantic appearance
- Fabric bunches densely along the rod
- The rod is completely hidden within the fabric
- Available in various pocket depths (standard is 7-10cm)
Best For
Rod pocket curtains suit traditional, classic, and cottage-style interiors. They're particularly beautiful for sheer curtains where the soft gathering complements the delicate fabric. They work well for stationary panels that won't be opened and closed frequently.
Rod pocket curtains grip the rod tightly, making them difficult to slide. They're best for curtains that remain in one position or are moved infrequently. For curtains you'll open and close daily, consider other header styles.
Hardware Requirements
Rod pocket curtains work with standard curtain rods. The rod diameter should be slightly smaller than the pocket depth to allow fabric to slide on during installation. Decorative finials at rod ends are optional but add visual interest.
Grommet (Eyelet) Headers
Grommet curtains feature large metal rings punched through the fabric at regular intervals across the top. The curtain rod threads through these rings, creating uniform, wave-like folds that look modern and structured.
Characteristics
- Creates even, consistent pleats
- Metal grommets are visible as a design element
- Curtains slide easily along the rod
- Contemporary, streamlined appearance
Best For
Grommet curtains suit modern, contemporary, and transitional interiors. The clean lines and easy operation make them popular for everyday living spaces. They work well for curtains that are opened and closed regularly.
Hardware Requirements
Grommets require a rod with a diameter that fits through the rings, typically 25-35mm. The rod should be sturdy as grommet curtains can be heavy. Choose a rod finish that complements the grommet metal colour for a cohesive look.
The standard internal grommet diameter is 40mm, accommodating rods up to 35mm. Ensure your rod diameter is at least 5mm smaller than the grommet opening for smooth operation. Most ready-made grommet curtains suit standard 25-28mm rods.
Tab Top Headers
Tab top curtains have fabric loops sewn at regular intervals along the top edge. These tabs loop over the curtain rod, leaving the rod visible between each tab. The style creates a casual, relaxed appearance with exposed rod sections.
Characteristics
- Casual, informal appearance
- Rod remains visible between tabs
- Creates less fullness than gathered styles
- Tabs can be made from matching or contrasting fabric
Best For
Tab tops suit coastal, bohemian, and casual country interiors. They work beautifully with natural fabrics like linen-look sheers. The relaxed aesthetic is perfect for beach houses, informal living spaces, and bedrooms with a laid-back vibe.
Hardware Requirements
Tab top curtains work with any round curtain rod that fits through the tabs. Decorative rods are ideal since the rod is visible. Choose a rod diameter that complements the tab width for proper proportions.
Pinch Pleat (French Pleat) Headers
Pinch pleat headers are the most formal and structured option. The fabric is gathered into evenly spaced pleats, typically pinched at two or three points and sewn to hold the shape. This creates an elegant, tailored appearance with controlled, uniform folds.
Characteristics
- Formal, sophisticated appearance
- Even, structured pleats
- Requires curtain hooks or rings for hanging
- Available in single, double (French), or triple pleat variations
Best For
Pinch pleats suit formal living rooms, dining rooms, and master bedrooms. They're appropriate for traditional, classic, and upscale contemporary interiors. This style elevates the appearance of any fabric and suggests quality and attention to detail.
Hardware Requirements
Pinch pleat curtains typically hang from curtain tracks using specialised hooks that insert into the back of the pleat. They can also hang from rings on a rod. The hardware should be robust as pleated curtains are heavier due to the concentrated fabric.
Pinch pleat curtains are often custom-made to ensure perfect pleat spacing for your specific window width. If buying ready-made, check that the pleat pattern will look balanced across your window.
Pencil Pleat Headers
Pencil pleat curtains feature tightly gathered fabric at the top, creating vertical folds that resemble a row of pencils standing side by side. The heading contains a drawstring or cord that allows you to adjust the gathering width.
Characteristics
- Versatile, adjustable gathering
- Neat, uniform narrow pleats
- Works with both tracks and rods
- Less formal than pinch pleats but more structured than rod pockets
Best For
Pencil pleats suit a wide range of interiors from traditional to contemporary. The adjustable width makes them practical for various window sizes, and they're a popular choice for curtain tracks. They offer a middle ground between casual and formal.
Hardware Requirements
Pencil pleat curtains hang from hooks inserted into the heading tape pockets, then attached to rings or track gliders. Most pencil pleat tape has multiple pocket rows, allowing you to adjust the hanging height.
Wave (S-Fold or Ripplefold) Headers
Wave headers create smooth, continuous S-shaped folds that cascade elegantly down the curtain. This contemporary style uses specialised tape and gliders that maintain consistent wave spacing along the entire curtain width.
Characteristics
- Smooth, uniform wave pattern
- Modern, minimalist appearance
- Fabric drapes beautifully without stiff pleats
- Requires specific wave track systems
Best For
Wave curtains suit contemporary, minimalist, and Scandinavian-inspired interiors. The clean lines and continuous flow work particularly well for large windows and floor-to-ceiling applications. They're increasingly popular in modern Australian homes.
Hardware Requirements
Wave curtains require specialised track systems with wave-compatible gliders spaced at consistent intervals. The track system controls the wave spacing, typically 60mm, 80mm, or 120mm between folds.
Choosing the Right Style for Sheer Curtains
Sheer curtains work beautifully with most header styles, but some combinations are particularly effective:
- Rod Pocket: Classic choice, maximises fullness and romantic flow
- Grommet: Modern and practical, shows off fabric drape
- Tab Top: Casual and beachy, works well for linen-look sheers
- Wave: Contemporary elegance, beautiful for full-length sheers
- Pinch Pleat: Formal option when layering with drapes
Practical Considerations
Frequency of Use
If you'll open and close curtains daily, choose easy-sliding options like grommets, rings, or track-mounted styles. Rod pockets and tab tops work better for stationary or occasionally moved panels.
Fabric Weight
Lightweight sheers drape well with most header styles. Heavier blockout fabrics may require more structured headers like pinch pleats or grommets to hang properly without sagging.
Window Size
Large windows benefit from headers that allow easy operation and smooth stacking when open. Consider wave or grommet styles for wide windows where curtains need to slide long distances.
Installation Complexity
Rod pocket and grommet curtains are the easiest DIY options, threading directly onto rods. Pinch pleats, wave systems, and track-mounted curtains may benefit from professional installation.
Your header style choice ultimately depends on balancing aesthetics with practicality. Consider how you'll use the curtains daily, the mood you want to create, and the existing style of your room. With the right header, your curtains will look intentional and professionally styled.