The choice between eyelet and pencil pleat curtains comes up for almost every window dressing decision, and it is not just a style question. The two heading types hang differently, suit different fabric weights, work with different hardware, and create a noticeably different look in a finished room. They also differ in how well they insulate, how difficult they are to hang, and which window shapes and sizes they suit best.
This guide covers all of it! The practical and aesthetic differences, which rooms and windows each suits, which fabrics work with each heading type, and how to hang both properly.
What are eyelet curtains?
Eyelet curtains have large metal rings sewn directly into the fabric at the top of the curtain. The curtain pole threads through these rings, and the curtain hangs in evenly spaced, soft folds between each ring. When you draw the curtains back, the folds stack neatly and stay consistent across the width.
The result is a clean, contemporary look. The heading is flat and simple, without pleating or gathering. What gives eyelet curtains their visual appeal is the regularity of those folds and the way the fabric ripples between each ring in an even, wave-like pattern.
Hanging eyelet curtains is the most straightforward of any heading type. You thread the pole through the rings and hang it. No hooks, no gliders, no tracks, no tying off excess cord. For most people, eyelet curtains are the fastest and least complicated option from purchase to finished room.
One important practical point: eyelet curtains need a curtain pole. The rings cannot be attached to a curtain track, so if your window already has a track fitting, eyelet curtains will not be compatible without changing the hardware.
Browse our eyelet curtains collection for the full range.
What are pencil pleat curtains?
Pencil pleat curtains have a band of stiffened tape along the top with rows of cord running through it. When you pull the cords, the tape gathers into neat, tight pleats that sit close together, roughly resembling a row of pencils standing upright. Hooks clip into pockets in the tape and attach the curtain to rings on a pole, or to gliders on a track.
The look is fuller and more formal than eyelet. Because the top is gathered, there is more fabric bunched at the heading, which creates a richer, more traditional appearance. Pencil pleat curtains tend to read as classic and considered, and they work well in rooms where you want a sense of elegance or traditional style.
Pencil pleat curtains work with both poles and tracks, which gives them more flexibility than eyelet when it comes to fitting options.
Take a look at our pencil pleat curtains to see the full range.
Key differences at a glance
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Eyelet
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Pencil Pleat
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Hanging
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Pole only
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Pole or track
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Installation
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Easy (thread and hang)
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More involved (hooks required)
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Look
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Contemporary, clean
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Traditional, formal
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Fullness
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1.5 to 2x pole width
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2 to 2.5x pole/track width
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Insulation
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Good
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Slightly better
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Best for heavy fabric
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Suitable
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Better choice
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Bay windows
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Less suited
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Better suited
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The practical differences in detail
Hanging ease. Eyelet curtains are faster and simpler to hang. You thread the pole through the rings and that is it. Pencil pleat curtains require threading hooks through the tape pockets, attaching them to rings or gliders, adjusting the pleats to sit evenly, and tying off the excess gathering cord neatly at the back. It is not complicated, but it takes more time, particularly on a wide window.
Hardware compatibility. Eyelet curtains require a pole. If you have an existing track and want to avoid replacing it, pencil pleat is the only option between the two. Our curtain poles range covers a variety of sizes and finishes if you are starting fresh.
Fullness. Pencil pleat curtains require more fabric. The standard allowance is 2 to 2.5 times the width of the pole or track, compared to 1.5 to 2 times for eyelet. This means pencil pleat curtains cost slightly more, but the gathered heading creates a richer, heavier look when closed and a more luxurious stack when open.
Adjustability. Pencil pleat curtains can be made narrower or wider by pulling the cords tighter or looser before hanging. This makes them more forgiving if the curtain width is not perfectly proportioned to the window. Eyelet curtains are fixed at the heading and cannot be adjusted this way.
Insulation. Pencil pleat curtains are slightly better at retaining warmth. The gathered pleats trap a layer of air at the heading, which adds insulation against cold coming through the window. Eyelet curtains, with a flatter heading and rings that sit away from the pole, allow more air movement at the top. If warmth retention matters, pencil pleat is the better choice, and pairing either style with our thermal curtains lining adds further insulation performance.
Fabric weight. Both heading types suit most fabric weights, but for very heavy fabrics such as velvet, pencil pleat handles the weight more reliably. The gathered tape distributes the weight across more hooks, while heavy eyelet curtains can put strain on individual rings over time. Our velvet curtains are available in both heading types, but pencil pleat is often the stronger choice for heavier velvet fabrics.
Eyelet vs pencil pleat: which suits which window?
Large windows. Eyelet curtains tend to work better on large windows. The smooth, flowing folds scale well across a wide expanse of glass without bunching or looking cluttered. On a very wide window, pencil pleat can look overly dense when drawn back.
Small windows. Pencil pleat is often a better choice for smaller windows. The fullness and gathered heading create a sense of richness that can make a small window feel more considered and designed. A slim window dressed with eyelet curtains can look a little plain.
Bay windows. Pencil pleat handles bay windows more naturally. The heading can flex around the angles of a bay, and pencil pleat curtains work on a flexible track, which bends around the shape of the bay. Eyelet curtains on a rigid pole cannot follow a curve.
Tall windows and high ceilings. Pencil pleat reads as more architectural and suits taller proportions. The gathered heading adds visual weight at the top of the curtain, which works well when there is a lot of wall above and below the window.
Which heading type suits which room?
Living room. Both work well. Eyelet if the room has a contemporary feel and you want a relaxed, clean finish. Pencil pleat if the room is more traditional or you want the curtains to be a statement piece.
Bedroom. Eyelet is popular in bedrooms because it is easy to open and close and looks tidy during the day. Pencil pleat gives more fullness, which can improve the light-blocking performance of blackout curtains when closed. For anyone sensitive to light during sleep, pencil pleat blackout curtains give a slightly better seal. See our blackout curtains range and our guide to choosing blackout curtains for more detail.
Formal dining room. Pencil pleat is usually the stronger choice. The fuller, more structured look suits rooms used for entertaining or occasions where you want the space to feel polished.
Kitchen. Eyelet works well in kitchens where the practical side of opening and closing curtains quickly matters, and where a lighter, less formal look fits the room better.
Children's rooms. Eyelet is the simpler choice, particularly if the curtains will be opened and closed frequently by smaller hands.
Rental properties and temporary use. Eyelet wins here without question. Faster to hang, faster to take down, and the hardware is simpler and cheaper to change if needed.
What fabric works best with each heading type?
Linen. Works with both heading types. On eyelet curtains, linen creates a relaxed, airy look that suits informal rooms and lighter colour palettes. On pencil pleat, linen gives a slightly softer version of the traditional gathered look.
Velvet. Better suited to pencil pleat. The weight of velvet benefits from the distributed support of multiple hooks, and the gathered heading adds to the luxurious, full appearance velvet naturally creates. Our velvet curtains work across both heading types, though pencil pleat tends to give the better finish for heavier velvet.
Blackout fabric. Works well with both. Eyelet blackout curtains are easier to hang and look clean and modern. Pencil pleat blackout curtains give a slightly tighter seal around the window, which matters more in a bedroom or nursery where blocking light is the primary goal.
Thermal fabric. Better suited to pencil pleat, where the natural insulation of the gathered pleats combines with the thermal lining for improved heat retention. Our thermal curtains range includes both heading types, but pencil pleat performs slightly better on insulation.
How to hang eyelet curtains
- Fit your curtain pole brackets at the desired height, extending at least 15 centimetres beyond the window frame on each side.
- Thread the pole through the eyelet rings from one end, alternating direction so each ring faces the right way.
- Hang the pole on the brackets.
- Space the rings evenly across the pole and arrange the folds so they fall in a consistent pattern.
- Dress the curtains by gently drawing the folds into position and leaving them for a day or two to fall into shape.
How to hang pencil pleat curtains
- Fit your pole or track at the desired height, again extending beyond the window frame on each side.
- Pull the three cords on the pencil pleat tape to gather the curtain to roughly the width you need.
- Distribute the gathers evenly across the tape and tie off the cords neatly at one end, tucking the loose ends behind the heading.
- Insert curtain hooks through the pockets in the tape, spacing them evenly (approximately every 8 to 10 centimetres).
- Hang the hooks onto the rings on your pole, or into the gliders on your track.
- Adjust the gathers if needed so the pleats sit evenly, and dress the curtains to fall into position.
For full measuring guidance before buying, see our how to measure for curtains guide.
Can you use both styles in the same house?
Yes. A common approach is eyelet curtains in more casual or practical spaces (bedrooms, kitchens, children's rooms) and pencil pleat in formal spaces such as the main living or dining room. Using different heading types in the same room on the same window is generally best avoided for aesthetic consistency, but mixing across rooms is entirely reasonable and often done.
Frequently asked questions
Which curtains are easier to hang, eyelet or pencil pleat? Eyelet curtains are significantly easier. You thread the pole through the rings and hang it. Pencil pleat curtains require attaching individual hooks to the tape, adjusting the gathers evenly, and tying off the cords, which takes more time and care.
Which curtains look more formal? Pencil pleat curtains look more formal. The gathered heading creates a fuller, more traditional look that suits classic and period interiors. Eyelet curtains have a cleaner, more contemporary feel that works better in modern rooms.
Are pencil pleat curtains old-fashioned? No. Pencil pleat curtains are a classic heading style, but that does not mean they look dated. In the right fabric and colour, particularly in velvet, textured weaves, or deep jewel tones, they look luxurious and considered. The association with a particular era tends to come from the fabric and pattern choice rather than the heading type itself.
Which heading type is better for insulation? Pencil pleat. The gathered pleats trap a layer of air at the heading, which improves the curtain's ability to retain warmth. For the best insulation performance, combine pencil pleat curtains with a thermal lining.
Do eyelet curtains work on a track? No. Eyelet curtains need a pole because the pole threads through the rings. They are not compatible with a curtain track. If you have a track and want to keep it, pencil pleat curtains are the right choice.
Which gives better fullness? Pencil pleat curtains are fuller. The standard fabric allowance is 2 to 2.5 times the pole or track width, compared to 1.5 to 2 times for eyelet.
Which is better for heavy fabrics like velvet? Pencil pleat is the more reliable choice for heavy fabrics. The weight is distributed across more hooks, whereas very heavy eyelet curtains can put strain on the individual rings over time.
Which works better for bay windows? Pencil pleat, because it is compatible with a flexible track that can follow the curve or angle of the bay. Eyelet curtains on a rigid pole cannot bend around a bay.
Which is better for blackout curtains? Pencil pleat on a pole with returns gives a tighter seal. Eyelet rings can create small gaps at the heading where light enters. For a nursery or bedroom where blocking light is a priority, pencil pleat blackout curtains are the stronger choice.
Browse our full range of eyelet curtains and pencil pleat curtains, or take a look at our curtain poles and tiebacks and holdbacks. For measuring guidance, see our how to measure for made to measure curtains guide.
This guide is put together by the Julian Charles team, who work with the full range of heading types and fabrics we stock.
