Curtain headers might seem like a small detail, but they quietly define the entire look and personality of a window treatment. From tailored and traditional to relaxed and modern, the header style determines how fabric falls, how formal a space feels, and how pronounced the curtain will be in a room. In this article, I’m breaking down the 13 most popular curtain header styles and the design styles they’re most appropriate for. Consider this your visual aid and reference guide for curtain headers.
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Curtain Header Styles & Names
There are many different styles of curtain headers, but these are the 13 most common today –
Design: HÁM Interiors | Photography: Will Slater
Pinch Pleat
Available in single, double, and triple pleats
A pinch pleat header is folded and pinched in the center of the pleat (sometimes at the bottom of the pleat). This is a very traditional curtain header and is suitable for a wide variety of interior styles.
This style is hung with curtain rings.
NOTE: Some people use the terms pinch pleat and French pleat interchangeably. But technically, French pleat is another name for the triple pinch pleat only. See below –
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Design: HÁM Interiors | Photography: Will Slater
French Pleat
French pleat is another name for the triple pinch pleat. It’s pinched at the bottom of the header, allowing the pleats to fan out at the top. It’s an elegant and full curtain, suitable for formal settings.
This style is hung with curtain rings.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Triple Pinch Pleat
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Design: Moore House Design | Photography: Jared Kuzia
Tailor Pleat
Available in double and triple pleats
While pinch pleated curtains are pinched in the center or bottom of the pleat, tailor pleats are pinched at the top. This is a modern adaptation of the traditional pinch pleat, yet it is suitable for a wide variety of styles.
This style is hung with curtain rings.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Euro pleat
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Available at Shoppe Amber Interior Design
Box Pleat (Inverted)
Inverted box pleat is a balance between traditional and modern. When pulled shut, the curtains nearly look like a flat panel, with just the slightest ripple.
This style is hung with curtain rings.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Inverted pleat
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Source: F&P Interiors
Pencil Pleat
The pencil pleat is a gathered header – intended to resemble a row of pencils. While it is less formal than pinch, French, and tailor pleats, it still provides an elevated, full panel.
This style is hung with curtain rings.
Design: HÁM Interiors | Photography: Will Slater
Gathered
A gathered heading is much like a pencil pleat, just less tidy with less defined “pencils.” This style can also feature a stand-up or ruffle top – a frilly top above the heading tape. The taller the stand-up, the floppier the top will be. Gathered headers are suitable for casual interiors such as cottages, cabins, or kids’ rooms.
This style is hung with curtain rings.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Cottage Pleat
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Design: Light & Dwell | Photography: Tim Lenz
Flat Panel
A flat panel curtain header has no pleats, and when pulled shut, it hangs flat. This requires less fabric than pleated curtains and is suitable for modern, contemporary, and casual interiors.
This style is hung with curtain rings.
NOTE: To maintain a soft ripple, even when pulled shut, the header can be manipulated with hooks to form a permanent wave.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Flat Hook
Design: Moore House Design | Photography: Jared Kuzia
Ripple Fold
The ripple fold is a modern style with soft waves, forming signature “S” curves. This style is hung on a track, and the hardware is completely hidden behind the fabric. Ripple fold is most popular in modern interiors.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Wave, S-Fold
Available at Anthropologie
Back Tab
A back tab curtain header features hidden loops that the curtain rod slips through, creating a soft wave when open. This style is very common with ready-made curtains and is a more affordable option.
This style requires only a curtain rod.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Tunnel Tab
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Design: HÁM Interiors | Photography: Will Slater
Rod Pocket
A rod pocket header has an open-ended channel at the top of the fabric, allowing the curtain rod to slide through the header. This style is an affordable option that is suitable for casual, cottage, and country interiors.
To ensure your fabric looks beautifully gathered, double the width of your panels.
This style requires only a curtain rod.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Pole Pocket
Available at Urban Outfitters
Tab Top
A tab top curtain features exposed loops that the curtain rod slips through. This is a casual curtain style that’s suitable for cottage and informal settings. It’s also a charming header for cafe curtains.
This style requires only a curtain rod.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Tie Top (when the tabs tie together rather than having a sewn loop)
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Available at Pottery Barn
Grommet
Grommet curtains feature metal rings sewn into the header, allowing the curtain to slide onto the curtain rod. This creates a ripple fold or wave effect. While this curtain header is commonly found in stores, it is not widely popular among designers.
This style requires only a curtain rod.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Eyelet
Design: Nadine Stay
4-In-1
A common header for affordable, ready-made curtains is the 4-in-1. It features multiple header styles in one – typically back tab, rod pocket, flat panel, and ring clip. This allows you to choose how you’d like to hang your curtain. (Ring clip is a curtain ring with an attached clip that clasps onto the curtain header. As shown in figure 4)
This style can be hung with just a curtain rod, with rings, or with ring clips.
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