Choosing the right curtain heading can completely change the overall feel of a window treatment. While the fabric itself plays an important role, the heading determines how the curtain hangs, gathers and frames a space.
At Baywell Studio, our two most popular heading styles are pencil pleat and rod pocket. Both timeless options with their own distinct character. If you're unsure which is best for your home, this guide explains the differences and the look each style creates.
What is a curtain heading?
A curtain heading is the top section of the curtain that attaches to the pole or rail. Different heading styles create different types of folds and drape, influencing whether curtains feel more relaxed, traditional, tailored or contemporary.
The heading you choose often depends on:
- The style of your room
- The type of curtain pole you're using
- Personal preference and style
Pencil pleat curtains
Pencil pleat is one of the most classic and versatile curtain headings. The top of the curtain is gathered using heading tape, creating neat, evenly spaced folds that resemble a row of pencils.
Why we love pencil pleat
Pencil pleat curtains create a soft, elegant fullness that works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary interiors. The structured gathers help showcase the drape of linen and cotton particularly well, especially when paired with double fullness.
Pencil pleat is ideal if you love a timeless, softly tailored look with gentle, even folds.
Rod pocket curtains
Rod pocket curtains have a sewn pocket at the top of the curtain which the pole slides directly through. This creates a relaxed, informal gather with soft movement across the fabric.
Why we love rod pocket
Rod pocket headings feel effortless and understated. Perfect for café curtains and relaxed interiors. Because the fabric gathers naturally onto the pole, the look feels softer and slightly less structured than pencil pleat.
Rod pocket curtains are particularly beautiful when styled with:
- Lightweight linens
- Sheer cottons
- Brass café rods
They create an easy, lived-in feel that works beautifully in kitchens, bathrooms and country-style interiors.
The Ruffle
The ruffle is a small decorative detail along the top of the heading, a nice extra rather than a structural choice. It's the kind of finish you'd traditionally see in more countryside homes, where a bit of softness at the top of the window suits the setting.
We've kept ours deliberately small. A mini ruffle, if you will, so it reads as a detail rather than a statement. Enough character for a traditional room, without feeling out of place in something more contemporary.
