TL;DR — Curtain Headings Quick Summary
- A curtain heading controls how your curtains gather, drape, and attach to the pole or track.
- Pencil pleat is the most versatile choice, works with poles and tracks, and suits any room.
- Pinch pleat gives a more tailored look and is hand-finished in bespoke curtains; great for formal rooms.
- Eyelet and tab top are contemporary and easy to operate but need a pole and are not suitable for bay windows, tracks, or valances.
- Wave creates a smooth, modern ripple but needs a specialist pole or track system.
- Always check stack-back space before choosing a heading.
- Bay windows need careful heading selection; pencil pleat, pinch pleat, or wave with the correct track are your best options.
This guide covers every main heading type: what each one looks like, which hardware it needs, and which rooms each one suits best. If you’ve just started looking at made-to-measure curtains and feel a little overwhelmed by the options, read on.
A curtain heading is the style of pleating or gathering at the top of a curtain. It determines how the curtain hangs, how full it looks, and which type of pole or track it can be used with. Choosing the right heading matters more than most people expect. Get it right and your curtains will look polished, hang beautifully, and work with your hardware. Miss it, and you can end up with a style that fights the room, or curtains that don’t fit the track you’ve already ordered.
Before You Choose: What a Curtain Heading Actually Does
The heading is the top section of a curtain, the part that shapes everything about how the curtain behaves even when you can’t see it directly.
Different headings create different amounts of fullness (how much fabric is used relative to the window width), different pleat styles, and different methods of attachment to a pole or track. Two curtains made from exactly the same fabric can look completely different depending on the heading chosen. One might hang in tight, structured pleats. Another falls in smooth continuous ripples. A third produces soft, informal gathers.
There are two practical things to understand before choosing.
How headings control fullness
Fullness is a ratio between your window width and the amount of fabric used to make the curtain. A fuller heading uses more fabric, creating a richer, more voluminous look when the curtains are closed. A less full heading uses less fabric and produces a cleaner, more minimal drape.
As a general rule, tape-based headings like pencil pleat use roughly double the window width in fabric. Hand-pleated headings like pinch pleat can use two and a half times. Wave headings are calculated differently, based on the track system specified. Your curtain maker will work this out for you, but understanding it helps explain why some headings cost a little more than others.
Stack-back: the practical consideration to check first
Stack-back is the space your curtains occupy either side of the window when they’re open. This is something we see people overlook constantly, and it causes real problems.
If you have a window that sits close to a wall, a corner, or a piece of furniture, there may not be enough room for certain headings to stack clear of the glass. A pinch pleat curtain with heavy interlined fabric will stack into quite a thick bundle. A wave or eyelet heading stacks far more neatly and is usually the better choice when space either side is tight.
Before you settle on a heading, measure the wall space on each side of the window and think about what you want visible when the curtains are open. We always assess this at our free home visit, and it’s one of the first things we look at.
The Main Types of Curtain Heading Explained
Here are the headings we supply and fit most commonly, along with the key things to know about each one.
Pencil Pleat
Pencil pleat is the most widely used curtain heading in the UK, and for good reason. The name describes exactly what it looks like: a continuous row of tight, uniform gathers that resemble a row of pencils standing upright. The result is a soft, full, cascading drape that works in almost any setting, from a period farmhouse to a modern new-build.
Pencil pleat curtains work with both curtain tracks and poles, making them one of the most flexible options available. They’re our go-to recommendation when a customer isn’t sure where to start, as the heading is versatile, the look is sophisticated, and the fitting is straightforward. You can browse our pencil pleat curtains here.
Hand-Finished Pinch Pleat (Double and Triple / French Pleat)
Pinch pleat curtains have a more structured, formal look than pencil pleat. The fabric is gathered into evenly spaced groups: two pleats per group for a double pinch pleat, three for a triple (also called a French pleat). Each group is stitched firmly into position, giving the heading a permanently tailored appearance.
At Aquarius, our pinch pleat curtains are hand-finished by our own soft furnishings team in our Coventry manufacturing facility, with no heading tape shortcuts. The pleats are sewn using buckram to help them hold their shape, and the result is a genuinely luxurious drape that justifies the extra craft involved.
Pinch pleat works with both tracks and poles but looks particularly good hanging from a pole, where the pleated groups sit neatly between the rings. It suits heavier fabrics well: velvet, wool, and interlined curtains all benefit from the structure this heading provides.
Eyelet
Eyelet curtains have metal rings set into the top of the fabric, through which the pole is threaded directly. The effect is a smooth, even ripple along the pole and a clean, contemporary finish.
The main practical advantage is how easily eyelet curtains glide. They’re simple to open and close, which makes them a popular choice for busy rooms and households with children, and they stack back neatly where wall space beside the window is limited.
A few things to be aware of: eyelet curtains require a pole and cannot be used with a curtain track. They’re also not suitable for bay windows (the angled sections at each end of a bay are difficult to work with using eyelet rings), and they don’t work alongside valances or pelmets. If your window has any of these features, a different heading will serve you better.
Wave Curtains
Wave curtains produce a smooth, flowing ripple across the full width of the curtain, with no distinct pleats or gathers, just a gentle, even curve that moves with the fabric.
This heading requires a specialist pole or track with a glider system designed specifically for wave curtains, as that’s what creates the consistent wave shape. We supply and fit Silent Gliss track systems, which are widely regarded as the benchmark for wave curtain installations. The track allows the curtain to stack back very efficiently when open, maximising natural light.
Wave is the heading we recommend most often for large windows, open-plan spaces, and rooms where a minimalist aesthetic is the priority. It works particularly well with fabrics that have a natural drape: lightweight linens, sheers, and cottons all hang beautifully in this style.
Goblet Curtains
Goblet heading curtains have individually formed, cylindrical pleats at the top of the curtain, each shaped like the bowl of a wine glass. The pleat is stuffed internally to hold the rounded shape, giving the heading a formal, architectural look with a real sense of drama.
This is one of the less common headings we fit, but when it’s right, it makes a genuine statement. It suits traditional and formal interiors and works well in grand living rooms and dining rooms where the curtains are as much a decorative feature as a functional one.
Cartridge Pleat
Cartridge pleat is similar in construction to goblet pleat but produces a smaller, round-topped fold rather than the full goblet shape. The pleats are evenly spaced along the top of the curtain, creating a clean, structured look with a contemporary edge. It stacks neatly when open and suits both traditional and modern interiors, working particularly well with mid-weight to heavier fabrics.
Tab Top
Tab top curtains have loops of fabric sewn along the top, through which the pole threads. The pole sits visibly between the tabs, which can work well as a deliberate design detail. The folds that form are soft and informal, giving the overall look a relaxed, casual feel.
The main limitation: tab top curtains let light in at the very top, between the loops and the main curtain fabric. If light exclusion matters in the room, a bedroom for example, a different heading is the better choice.
Cottage / Gathered Pleat
Cottage pleat (sometimes called gathered heading) uses a narrow heading tape to create a soft, informal gather along the top. The look is understated and unfussy, sitting naturally in kitchens, utility rooms, and smaller bedroom windows with a short drop.
This is a lighter-touch heading best suited to lightweight fabrics. It’s less common in living rooms or formal settings, but it can be exactly right for a cottage-style kitchen or a simple café curtain arrangement.
Which Curtain Heading Works With Which Hardware?
Getting the heading and hardware matched correctly is one of the first things we check when advising customers. Here’s a clear overview:
| Heading | Curtain Pole | Curtain Track | Bay Window | Valance / Pelmet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pencil Pleat | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pinch Pleat | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Eyelet | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Wave | ✅ (specialist) | ✅ (specialist) | ✅ (with right track) | ❌ |
| Goblet | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cartridge | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tab Top | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cottage / Gathered | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
One point on wave: the heading itself is flexible, but it does require a track or pole system with the correct glider type. You can’t simply hang a wave curtain on a standard pole, as the specialist hardware is what creates the wave shape.
If you’re unsure about your existing hardware or planning a new installation, our team can advise. If you’re within 20 miles of our showrooms, we’ll come out to assess it as part of our free home visit.
Which Curtain Heading Suits Which Room?
The heading that works best is often shaped as much by the room and window as by personal preference. Here’s how we usually think about it.
Living rooms
Living rooms give you the most freedom. If you want a rich, traditional look, pinch pleat or goblet heading curtains in a heavier fabric will deliver. For something cleaner and more contemporary, wave is our most recommended heading for rooms with large windows or bifold doors. Pencil pleat sits comfortably in the middle and works in almost any living room without looking out of place.
Bedrooms
Bedroom curtains need to close well and, ideally, block light. Pencil pleat and pinch pleat are our most popular bedroom headings. Both close with no gaps at the top, unlike eyelet or tab top which leave light gaps at the pole. If motorised operation appeals, particularly useful for blackout curtains you want to open and close without getting out of bed, any of the main tape-based headings can be used on an electric curtain rail.
Kitchens and smaller windows
Cottage pleat or a simple pencil pleat works best here. The drop is shorter, the fabric is usually lighter, and a relaxed informal heading suits the room well. Eyelet can also work in a contemporary kitchen, provided there’s no valance or pelmet above the window.
Bay windows
Bay windows are one of the most common specialist requests we handle. We’ve completed bay window projects across Coventry, Kenilworth, and the wider Warwickshire area, most recently working with Rossi Studios on a bespoke bay window curtain design.
Avoid eyelet and tab top headings for bay windows. The angled corners of a bay make these headings impractical. Pencil pleat, pinch pleat, and track-fitted wave curtains all work well, providing the track is correctly bent to follow the angle of the bay. Our fitting team handles this as part of the installation; it’s not a DIY job if you want the result to look right.
Curtain Headings at a Glance
| Heading | Style Feel | Hardware Needed | Fabric Fullness | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pencil Pleat | Classic / versatile | Pole or track | Full (approx. 2x width) | Any room, any style |
| Pinch Pleat | Tailored / luxurious | Pole or track | Very full (2–2.5x) | Formal living rooms, bedrooms |
| Eyelet | Contemporary / casual | Pole only | Medium | Modern rooms, kitchens |
| Wave | Minimal / modern | Specialist pole or track | Calculated by track | Large windows, open-plan |
| Goblet | Formal / dramatic | Pole or track | Very full | Traditional formal rooms |
| Cartridge | Structured / contemporary | Pole or track | Full | Living rooms, dining rooms |
| Tab Top | Relaxed / decorative | Pole only | Light | Casual rooms, not for blackout |
| Cottage / Gathered | Informal / traditional | Pole or track | Light to medium | Kitchens, cottage-style windows |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular curtain heading in the UK?
Pencil pleat is the most widely used heading in UK homes. It’s versatile, works with tracks and poles, suits almost any interior style, and is available across a range of fullness levels. For a first set of made-to-measure curtains, pencil pleat is usually the lowest-risk starting point.
Which curtain heading uses the least fabric?
Eyelet, tab top, and wave headings generally use less fabric than pinch pleat or goblet. Pencil pleat sits in the middle. If fabric cost is a consideration, your curtain maker will calculate the amount needed per heading before you commit.
Can I use any curtain heading with a curtain track?
No. Eyelet and tab top headings require a curtain pole and cannot be used with a track. Wave headings can work with a track, but it must be a specialist wave track rather than a standard one. Pencil pleat, pinch pleat, goblet, cartridge, and cottage pleat all work with standard tracks.
What is the difference between pinch pleat and pencil pleat?
Pencil pleat uses a heading tape that gathers the fabric into a continuous row of tight, even folds. Pinch pleat groups the fabric into distinct sets of two or three pleats, stitched permanently in place. Pinch pleat has a more structured, tailored look. Pencil pleat has a softer, more traditional appearance. For bespoke made-to-measure curtains, pinch pleat is hand-finished, which makes it a more involved process and typically reflects that in the price.
Are eyelet curtains suitable for bay windows?
No. The angled corners of a bay window make it impossible to thread the eyelet rings across the return angles of the pole. Pencil pleat, pinch pleat, or a track-based wave heading are all better choices for bay windows.
Which heading is the easiest to hang at home?
Pencil pleat is generally the most straightforward for DIY installation: the heading tape takes hooks, which clip into standard curtain tracks or rings on a pole. Eyelet curtains are simple to hang on a pole (thread the pole through the rings) but require the pole to be dismounted first. Wave curtains need a specialist track system and are less suited to DIY fitting.
Do different curtain headings cost different amounts?
Yes, to an extent. The cost is mainly driven by how much fabric the heading needs and how much hand work is involved. A pinch pleat curtain made with hand-sewn pleats and buckram takes more time than one on a standard pencil pleat tape. At Aquarius, all our curtains are made to measure in our own facility, and we’re always happy to give you a clear quote for any heading style before you commit.
Find the Right Heading for Your Home
Our team at Aquarius Interiors has been advising homeowners across Coventry, Kenilworth, and Warwickshire on exactly this kind of decision for over a decade. With 30 years of trade experience behind our recommendations and an in-house team that makes and fits every curtain we sell, we know what works in practice, not just on paper.
You’re welcome to visit us at our Coventry showroom or our Kenilworth showroom, where we have working curtain displays across a range of heading styles. If you’re within 20 miles, we’ll come to you. Our free home visit means we can assess your windows, bring fabric samples, and give you a clear recommendation without any pressure. Get in touch to arrange yours.
