Curtain Tops FAQs

Curtain tops — more formally known as curtain headings — refer to the style in which the top of a curtain is designed to attach to a track or pole. Far from being a purely technical detail, the heading style fundamentally determines how a curtain looks when hung: how it folds, how full it appears, what shape the top takes, and the overall aesthetic impression it makes in a room.
The wrong heading can make even a beautiful fabric look flat, underdressed, or out of character with the room’s style. Choosing the right heading — pencil pleat, pinch pleat, eyelet, goblet, wave, or one of many other options — is one of the most important decisions in curtain design, and one where specialist expertise from a company like PeterJohn Interiors makes a real difference to the finished result.

Pencil pleat and pinch pleat are two of the most popular traditional curtain headings, but they create quite different effects. Pencil pleat is the most common heading in the UK — the tape at the top of the curtain gathers the fabric into a series of small, tightly packed cylindrical folds resembling a row of pencils. It is versatile, suits most fabric weights, and is relatively straightforward to achieve.
Pinch pleat creates structured, individual groups of fabric pinched together at regular intervals — typically in pairs or groups of three — forming elegant, defined pleats that stand proud. Pinch pleat gives a more formal, tailored appearance and works beautifully in traditional or classic interiors. It requires more fabric than pencil pleat and greater precision in making, which is reflected in why bespoke curtain makers like PeterJohn Interiors are the natural choice for this heading style.

Wave heading is a contemporary curtain style in which the fabric forms smooth, continuous S-shaped curves across the full width of the curtain — like a gentle ripple rather than defined pleats or folds. It is achieved with specialist wave tape and a compatible curtain track, and produces a clean, minimalist look that works particularly well in modern, Scandi-influenced, or contemporary interiors.
Wave curtains are particularly effective in large open-plan spaces or rooms with floor-to-ceiling glazing, where the undulating curve across a wide span creates a dramatic effect. The fabric hangs very evenly and the curtains draw back neatly. PeterJohn Interiors can supply and install wave heading curtains to the exact measurement of your windows, with the wave size adjusted to suit the fabric weight and your preferred fullness.

Eyelet curtains have large metal rings inserted directly into the heading fabric, with the curtain pole threading through them directly. This creates a series of even, rounded folds between each ring, giving a casual, relaxed look that suits contemporary and informal interiors well. Eyelet headings are popular partly because they are among the more straightforward to hang — simply slide the pole through the rings and hang.
However, there are limitations that make them less suitable for all applications. Eyelet curtains can only be used with a pole, not a track, which limits use in bay windows or along walls where a track would be more practical. The folds are less voluminous than pencil pleat at the same fabric width, and the rings can snag on the pole when drawing. For a relaxed, modern bedroom or living room, they work well; for a more formal or traditional scheme, another heading is usually preferable.

Different curtain heading styles require different amounts of fullness — the ratio of fabric width to the track or pole width — to look their best. Pencil pleat typically requires 2.5 to 3 times the width of the track. Pinch pleat uses 2 to 2.5 times. Wave heading generally uses 2 to 2.5 times, though the appropriate fullness varies with the fabric. Eyelet headings typically use 1.5 to 2 times. Goblet pleat, tab top, and other decorative headings have their own requirements.
Getting the fullness right is essential — under-fullness makes curtains look thin and inadequate; over-fullness in certain headings wastes fabric unnecessarily. At PeterJohn Interiors, we calculate the correct fabric requirement for each project precisely, ensuring your curtains have the right weight, drape, and fullness for the style you have chosen.

For period properties — Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, or Arts and Crafts homes — heading styles that have been used historically tend to sit most naturally. Pinch pleat is the classic choice for formal rooms: the precise, structured folds suit high ceilings, large windows, and quality traditional fabrics such as velvet, damask, and woven silk.
Goblet pleat, in which each pleat is shaped into an upward-facing cup, is another traditionally-inspired heading that looks particularly elegant in a formal sitting room or dining room. For a more relaxed period feel — a country kitchen or casual sitting room — pencil pleat in a fabric with a traditional pattern works well. PeterJohn Interiors specialises in bespoke curtains for period homes and can recommend the most sympathetic heading style for your specific property and room.

While visual consistency throughout a home can be elegant and deliberate, it is not necessary — and in most cases, it is natural and appropriate for different rooms to have different heading styles that suit their character and function. A formal drawing room might suit a pinch pleat in a traditional fabric, while the master bedroom calls for floor-to-ceiling wave heading in a luxurious linen, and a child’s room is best served by simple, practical eyelet curtains.
What matters most is that each room’s curtains are appropriate to the room’s style, ceiling height, window size, and light requirements. PeterJohn Interiors designs curtains on a room-by-room basis, ensuring each space is treated on its own terms while maintaining an overall coherence of quality and care throughout the home.

Tab top curtains have loops of fabric stitched to the top of the curtain that thread over a pole, forming a series of rectangular loops across the heading. The look is informal, casual, and relaxed — the fabric hangs in relatively simple, ungathered folds between each tab. Tab top works best in rooms with an informal, relaxed character: a cottage kitchen, a country bedroom, or a casual living room where the easy, unpretentious feel of the heading complements the overall scheme.
They draw relatively slowly compared to other heading types and do not stack back as neatly, which makes them better suited to curtains that are largely decorative or opened and closed infrequently. They work only with poles, not tracks, which should be factored into the installation planning.

Yes — the heading style and fullness directly affect how well curtains insulate. More fabric means more insulation: curtains with greater fullness (such as pencil pleat or pinch pleat at 2.5–3 times fullness) trap more air and provide a more effective thermal barrier than lean headings. Interlined curtains — those with a layer of thick interlining between the main fabric and the lining — are the most thermally effective option regardless of heading style, and can make a substantial difference to comfort and energy use in draughty period properties.
Floor-length curtains that pool slightly on the floor, or that reach all the way to the floor without a gap, also reduce cold draughts significantly. PeterJohn Interiors can advise on the most thermally effective combination of heading, fullness, lining, and drop for your windows.

PeterJohn Interiors offers a professional in-home consultation service where one of our experienced soft furnishings specialists visits you at home to discuss your requirements, take precise measurements, and help you navigate the full range of heading styles, fabrics, and options available.
Seeing fabric samples and discussing heading styles in the actual room — with your existing furniture, paint colours, and light conditions present — is the best way to make confident decisions about something as important as your window treatments. We work with private clients across the UK and bring our expertise directly to you. To arrange a consultation, contact PeterJohn Interiors via our website or telephone, and we will schedule a time at your convenience.