Custom Pleated Curtains: Make Windows Look Taller

You can get the look of custom pleated curtains without a workroom bill. Hang the rod high and wide, choose lined panels that reach the floor, and give the header a real pleat with hooks and rings. Those three moves make a standard window read taller and more tailored.

It's very common to have a basic window and a low ceiling, so don't feel stuck. The fixes below are mostly about measuring and hardware, and most of them work for renters too.

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Where should the curtain rod go?

Mount the rod well above the window frame, not on the trim. A rod sitting right on the frame stops the eye at the window. A rod placed higher carries the eye up the wall and makes the window look taller than it is.

• Place the rod about 4-6 inches above the frame. With standard 8-foot ceilings you can go higher, to a few inches below the crown molding or ceiling line.
• Extend the rod about 10-14 inches past the frame on each side, so the open panels stack on the wall and not over the glass.
• Leave a little breathing room under the ceiling so the rod doesn't look cramped.

Extra width also lets in more daylight. The U.S. Department of Energy's building science pages note that fixed shades, louvers, and screens can help control unwanted glare and heat, so if a window gets harsh sun, plan your fabric weight around that.

What hardware makes curtains look custom?

A sturdy rod. Thin telescoping rods bow in the middle and give the trick away. As an architect, I'd use a rod of at least 1 inch in diameter for standard curtains, and a thicker one on taller walls where a slim rod looks undersized.

Wraparound or return brackets help too. They bring the curtain back to the wall, close the side gap and cut light leaking around the edges, which matters in bedrooms.

If you rent and can't drill, skip tension rods set inside the frame. Use adhesive hooks rated for the rod and curtain weight, and keep them high and wide. Check the weight rating before you trust them with lined panels.

What are the types of pleats for curtains?

Pleated curtains are named for how the header is gathered. These are the styles you'll meet most often:

• Pinch pleat: the fabric is gathered into small clusters of folds at regular intervals, then left to fall in deep folds. It's the classic tailored look.
• Pencil pleat: a header tape pulls the top into tight, narrow, evenly spaced folds, like a row of pencils.
• Grommet: metal rings in the header create a casual, rounded wave.
• Rod pocket: the rod slides through a sleeve, which gathers the fabric but is hard to slide open and closed.

Grommets and rod pockets are common on budget panels, and they rarely look tailored. That's why a pleated header is the quickest upgrade.

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How to make curtains look pleated with hooks and rings

If your store-bought panels have a header tape on the back, you can mimic custom pinch pleat curtains with pins and rings. Not all panels have this tape, so check the back of the header before you buy.

1. Choose panels with a multi-use header tape.
2. Buy drapery hooks (pins) and curtain rings with eyelets.
3. Slide a hook into the tape pockets, spacing them about 4-5 inches apart. More hooks make a fuller curtain.
4. Clip each hook to a ring eyelet and slide the rings onto the rod.

The rings hide part of the rod and let the fabric fall in even, deep folds. Overlap the first hooks of the two center panels so no light slips through the middle.

Are readymade pleated curtains good enough?

Often, yes. Readymade pleated curtains cost less and ship quickly, and the pleat is already sewn in. The trade-off is size: standard lengths are usually too short for a high-mounted rod, and the fabric can be thin.

Custom panels let you set the exact length, fullness and lining. I'd only pay for custom if you have an unusual window size or a ceiling above standard height. Otherwise, panels with a pleated header, a lining and a quick hem do most of the job. For more ways to fake a tailored finish, see this drapery hack for curtains that look custom.

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Which fabric and lining work best?

Lined curtains hang better. Unlined panels look flimsy and show the window behind them, which undermines the tall-window effect. A lining adds body to inexpensive fabric, and a blackout lining suits bedrooms.

• Cotton and linen blends look casual and airy, but they need a lining to keep their shape.
• Velvet is heavy, drapes in rich folds and dampens sound.
• White pleated curtains and sheer pleated curtains soften light. For privacy, layer them with a second panel, as in this guide to layering sheer and blackout curtains.

With pets, pick a tight weave. Cats snag loose weaves like linen or burlap, while performance velvet and tight microfiber are harder for claws to catch. Choose machine-washable fabric if dogs are allowed near the window, and check the care label before washing.

How long should the panels be?

Floor-length. Curtains that stop a few inches above the floor look like pants that are too short, and they cut the vertical line you've just built.

• Float: the hem sits about 1/2 inch off the floor. It stays cleanest and suits high-traffic rooms.
• Kiss: the hem just touches the floor. It looks the most tailored, but it needs precise measuring.
• Puddle: a few extra inches pool on the floor. It's dramatic, but it collects dust and pet hair, so I wouldn't use it with a shedding dog or a robot vacuum.

Measure from the rod to the floor, not from the window. If your rod is high, standard 84-inch panels will be too short, so look for 96-inch or 108-inch lengths. Measure both sides, since floors aren't always level.

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How do you train curtains to hang straight?

New panels tend to flare at the hem. Training them fixes it.

1. Arrange the pleats the way you want them while the curtains are closed.
2. Open the curtains and stack them back.
3. Crease the folds with your hands from top to hem.
4. Loosely tie each panel with soft ribbon or a strip of fabric at the middle and bottom.
5. Leave them tied for a few days, then untie.

Steam out the packaging creases too, because wrinkles catch shadows. Steam velvet from the back and keep the steamer head off the pile.

What about furniture and rugs near the window?

Extra-wide curtains need room to stack. Keep a sofa or bookcase from crushing the folds, and leave a few inches of clearance where you can.

Keep rugs flat and anchored, too. The National Institutes of Health reports that loose throw rugs and area carpets with curled edges or folds are among the factors most frequently mentioned as unsafe and potentially increasing fall risk. A rug pad is a cheap fix.

For a quick finish, use iron-on hem tape to adjust length, and sew a small drapery weight into the hem corners if they curl. If you want something moodier, these dramatic drape ideas are worth a look. Need a second rod for layers? Here's how to make a double curtain rod.

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Frequently asked questions