Discover the best curtain heading styles, from Pencil Pleat to Wave. Explore our guide and find the perfect made-to-measure curtains for your home.
Choosing the right curtain heading doesn’t have to be complicated. From Pencil Pleat to Wave, Goblet to Cartridge Pleats, each style creates a different look and changes the way your curtains hang.
Whether you prefer a relaxed, traditional feel, a sleek contemporary finish or a more luxurious, tailored appearance, the right heading will transform your window. Before you decide, it’s worth considering your interior style, whether you’re using a curtain pole or track, the space around your window and how much natural light you’d like to let in.
To help you choose, our guide explains the features and benefits of every curtain heading. As a result, you can confidently find the perfect made-to-measure style to suit both your home and your lifestyle.
Pencil Pleat Heading
A timeless favourite, the Pencil Pleat curtain heading is one of the most versatile and popular styles. Its soft, gathered folds resemble a row of pencils, creating an elegant look that suits both traditional and contemporary homes.
Made with a versatile heading tape, Pencil Pleat curtains can be gathered to your required width for a tailored finish. In addition, three hook positions allow you to adjust the hanging height, making it easy to achieve the perfect look. Their flexible design also means they can often be altered to fit a similar-sized window in the future.
If you choose our fitting service, we’ll expertly gather, hang and dress your curtains, so they’re ready to enjoy from day one.
Whether you’re hanging them on a curtain pole or track, Pencil Pleat curtains offer a practical, stylish solution for any room in the home. Their classic design and simple installation make them a favourite for both new interiors and home updates.
Why Choose a Pencil Pleat Heading?
● Classic, timeless appearance
● Soft, elegant gathered folds
● Suitable for both poles and tracks
● Adjustable width and height
● Versatile enough for any interior style
● Ideal for made-to-measure curtains
Cottage Pleat Heading
The Cottage Pleat curtain heading brings pretty, country charm to any room. Its softly gathered heading and decorative ruffled top create a warm, relaxed look that suits both classic and rustic interiors.
Ideal for smaller windows and shorter curtain drops, Cottage Pleat curtains work beautifully in kitchens, bedrooms, cottages and cosy living spaces. Their simple, informal style means they’re perfect for showcasing floral prints, heritage patterns and textured fabrics.
Made with a single row of hook pockets, this heading offers a simple yet decorative finish with a handcrafted feel. In addition, it’s quick and easy to hang while maintaining its traditional character.
Whether you choose a curtain pole or track, Cottage Pleat curtains provide a soft, welcoming finish. Their relaxed style adds warmth and personality, making them a timeless choice for any country-inspired home.
Why Choose a Cottage Pleat Heading?
● Traditional gathered heading with decorative ruffle
● Perfect for country, cottage and rustic interiors
● Ideal for smaller windows and shorter curtains
● Soft, relaxed and full of character
● Suitable for poles and tracks
● Showcases floral, patterned and heritage fabrics beautifully
Triple Pinch Pleat Heading
The Triple Pleat, also known as the French Pleat, is a smart curtain heading with a tailored look. Three hand-sewn pleats create crisp, elegant folds that hang beautifully from top to bottom.
Made with extra fabric, Triple Pleat curtains offer a fuller, more luxurious drape. They are a popular choice for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms, adding a refined finish to both classic and contemporary interiors.
Each curtain is made to your exact measurements for a perfect fit on curtain poles or tracks. The compact stackback also allows the curtains to fold back neatly, helping maximise natural light maintaining a clean, sophisticated appearance.
Why Choose a Triple Pleat Heading?
● Classic hand-sewn French Pleat design
● Tailored, elegant finish with crisp folds
● Extra fabric for a fuller, more luxurious drape
● Neat stackback maximises natural light
● Made to measure for a perfect fit
● Best suited for curtain poles
● Ideal for both traditional and modern interiors
Double Pinch Pleat Heading
The Double Pinch Pleat curtain heading offers a stylish, made-to-measure finish with a softer, more relaxed feel than a traditional Triple Pleat. Two neatly pinched pleats create elegant, structured folds that complement both classic and contemporary interiors.
Because it uses less fabric than a Triple Pleat, this heading provides a more cost-effective option without compromising on style. At the same time, its slimmer profile creates a compact stackback, allowing more natural light into the room when the curtains are open.
Each curtain is expertly made to your exact measurements for a flawless fit on both curtain poles and tracks. As a result, you’ll enjoy a beautifully tailored drape that combines timeless elegance with everyday practicality.
Why Choose a Double Pinch Pleat Heading?
● Smart, tailored look with a softer feel
● Uses less fabric for excellent value
● Compact stackback maximises natural light
● Elegant, structured folds with a refined finish
● Made to measure for a perfect fit
● Best suited for curtain poles.
● Ideal for both traditional and modern interiors
Single Pleat Heading
The Single Pleat, also known as the Dutch Pleat, is a contemporary curtain heading with a simple, clean finish. Featuring a single pleat at regular intervals, it creates crisp, elegant folds that complement both modern and traditional interiors.
Using less fabric than Double or Triple Pleat headings, Single Pleat curtains offer a sleek made-to-measure look with excellent value. Their compact stackback allows the curtains to fold neatly when open, making them ideal for maximising natural light and perfect for smaller rooms or where space is limited.
Why Choose a Single Pleat Heading?
● Clean, contemporary tailored finish
● Elegant single pleat design
● Compact stackback maximises natural light
● Ideal for smaller rooms and limited spaces
● Uses less fabric for excellent value
● Best suited for curtain poles
● Perfect for both traditional and modern interiors
Wave Heading
The Wave curtain heading is the ultimate choice for modern interiors, creating smooth, flowing waves with a clean, minimalist finish. Often seen as the contemporary alternative to Eyelet curtains, it delivers a sleek, designer look that remains perfectly uniform whether open or closed.
Using a specialist heading tape, Wave curtains form consistent, elegant waves that are ideal for large windows, patio doors, bi-fold doors and open-plan living spaces. Their compact stackback also allows maximum natural light into the room when drawn open.
Wave curtains require a dedicated Wave track or Wave curtain pole to achieve their signature flowing appearance.
Why Choose a Wave Heading?
● Sleek, contemporary designer finish
● Smooth, uniform waves from top to bottom
● Modern alternative to Eyelet curtains
● Compact stackback maximises natural light
● Perfect for large windows and bi-fold doors
● Ideal for modern and open-plan interiors
● Consistent waves when closed
● Designed for Wave tracks and Wave curtain poles
Goblet Heading
The Goblet Pleat is one of the most luxurious curtain headings, designed to create a grand, elegant statement. Featuring handcrafted, padded goblet-shaped pleats, it delivers a beautifully tailored finish with exceptional fullness that’s perfect for period homes and sophisticated interiors.
Using more fabric than most heading styles, Goblet Pleat curtains showcase rich textures and premium fabrics to stunning effect. The padded pleats create a striking, structured drape, while their larger stackback makes them best suited to spacious rooms and statement windows.
Ideal for curtain poles, Goblet Pleat curtains can also be fitted to tracks for a seamless, made-to-measure finish.
Why Choose a Goblet Pleat Heading?
● Luxurious, handcrafted padded pleats
● Elegant, formal statement finish
● Exceptional fullness and beautiful drape
● Perfect for period and luxury interiors
● Ideal for showcasing premium fabrics
● Made to measure for a flawless fit
● Best suited to curtain poles.
Cartridge Heading
The Cartridge Pleat offers a modern take on the classic Goblet Pleat, combining clean lines with a luxurious, full finish. Featuring smooth, filled cylindrical tubes, this contemporary heading is perfect for modern, minimalist and high-end interiors.
Designed to showcase premium fabrics, Cartridge Pleat curtains deliver a refined, architectural look with beautiful fullness. Their filled tubes create a wider stackback when open, making them ideal for statement windows where style takes centre stage.
Best suited to curtain poles, Cartridge Pleat curtains can also be fitted to tracks for a sleek, made-to-measure finish.
Why Choose a Cartridge Pleat Heading?
● Contemporary alternative to the Goblet Pleat
● Distinctive cylindrical pleats with a tailored finish
● Beautiful fullness and elegant drape
● Perfect for modern and minimalist interiors
● Ideal for showcasing premium fabrics
● Made to measure for a flawless fit
● Great for statement windows
● Best suited for curtain poles
