Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Curtains

117 replies

IfIGoThereWillBeTrouble · 04/02/2023 20:47

Ok, so not strictly AIBU but I need voting.

Please help settle a friendly disagreement about something trivial…..curtains.

In your opinion, which style of curtains look the most dated/unfashionable? Eyelet curtains (with the metal rings at the top) or curtains on rails with a string at one end so you pull the string and both curtains open together?

YANBU - having a rail with a pull cord at the end looks dated/unfashionable.

YABU - eyelet/ring top curtains look dated/unfashionable

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 04/02/2023 22:56

Not overlooked either but decided on thermal curtains for warmth and has made a big difference.
Wave in dining room.
Voiles still let light in.

I didn't realise eyelets caused such disdain.

Curtains
Curtains
UsingChangeofName · 04/02/2023 23:01

Thing is, I have never looked at curtains and thought "they are dated / unfashionable".
I mean curtains are curtains. They are functional things for keeping the warmth in.
The colour / pattern of the material can be to different people's tastes, and in some cases most people would think "over powering" or "too darks for the space" or whatever, but I can't say the way they have been hung particularly makes them look dated.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 04/02/2023 23:03

Why are they the only 2 options? Surely the 2 options shpuld be pencil pleat or eyelet? No idea what these pull ones are...

ChatSamosa · 04/02/2023 23:06

YABU - eyelets are tacky

UsingChangeofName · 04/02/2023 23:13

No idea what these pull ones are...

Have yo ever seen a Royal, other dignitary or even celebrity unveiling a plaque ?
Where they pull the cord and the little curtains that were covering the plaque open.

Well like that, but on a bigger scale to cover your whole window. It really isn't that difficult to understand.

DappledThings · 04/02/2023 23:16

I don't have any preference between types of curtain but any curtain is better than a blind. I hate blinds, they look so cold and functional. We have them in the study only because it is a mainly functional space. Would never have them in a room I actually want to relax in.

GreenBiscuitr · 04/02/2023 23:27

I couldn't vote because both the styles you suggest are ugly and dated. What's wrong with traditionally made curtains without strings? That's what I have.

FrogFairy · 04/02/2023 23:35

@TheRealKatnissEverdeen please can I ask about the track and heading on your wave curtains?

I have some windows that would be perfect for this style which I have never seen before.

Yumchips · 04/02/2023 23:46

F

coralgeo · 04/02/2023 23:52

MistyGreenAndBlue · 04/02/2023 21:19

Disagree. Full length in nice heavy fabric that drapes well and they look fine

Show quote history

Doesn't matter how nice or heavy the fabric is, if they've got chrome eyelets they're always going to look tacky.

JudgeRinderonTinder · 04/02/2023 23:55

God Mumsnet is strange! I’ve never seen cord curtains, but since when have curtains in general been unfashionable as according to some replies? Everyone I know has curtains, even with blinds!

I must live in a parallel universe or something!

JenniferBarkley · 04/02/2023 23:59

We have a little of everything.

Hate the eyelets as they don't look right when they close.

Pencil pleat with pull cord really useful on the landing as the curtain is too high to be able to reach up and pull manually.

Favourite is wave top tape on a pole with rings. Clean lines of eyelet, but much more functional.

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 05/02/2023 00:19

@FrogFairy Hilarys...I know they are (from what I've read on MN) meant to be overpriced but I'm time poor and wanted the entire service from measuring, selecting from the extensive samples and then problem free installation. They are fitted on sliding doors out to garden. Does that help?

FrogFairy · 05/02/2023 00:23

@TheRealKatnissEverdeen thank you very much, it is very helpful. I think this could potentially be ideal for my upstairs windows.

JaninaDuszejko · 05/02/2023 00:30

We have a bit of everything. Roller blinds are cheap and functional, made to measure roman blinds with thermal linings are beautiful and warm. Eyelet curtains use less fabric and so can look cheap especially if off the shelf (although made to measure lined ones in an expensive fabric don't), pencil pleat is just normal but pinch pleat is the nicest topping IMHO. Amazed at the hatred for curtains and wondering if that's the plantation shutters crowd. And what about electric curtain opening???

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 05/02/2023 00:32

Good! @FrogFairy I'd never heard of them before but admittedly don't keep up to date with the latest curtain trends. Previous homeowners had these up which seemed to keep the warmth in but were in the way so I'm pleased with the wave style.

Curtains
MiniTheMinx · 05/02/2023 00:35

I wasn't sure how to vote. I'm a curtain snob......I love curtains. I have poles with rings. Most of our curtains have pinch pleats or goblet headers, as I don't like the pencil pleats really. Always full length and most are interlined because they hang better and keep out draughts. Blinds behind.

I think the curtains with big rings look a bit dated now but I've seen some in other people's houses and they have looked quite nice. Curtain tracks with pull strings make me think of old people though.

oioimatey · 05/02/2023 00:36

My parents have pull cord curtains and they're amazing! I think eyelet curtains are very boring, but that's just my taste.

KimberleyClark · 05/02/2023 03:24

We have pencil pleats but have never had pull strings! I’ve often thought about getting rid of the box pelmets and having poles instead but our front windows are curved, the curtain tracks are on the inside of the pelmets and we would need to have curved poles made to measure - the windows are about 10 feet wide.

Redruby2020 · 05/02/2023 08:14

youshouldnthaveasked · 04/02/2023 20:51

Have you got a picture of these pull cord curtains? I’ve never heard of them.

I've seen them, something my grandparents would of had 😆

WednesdaysPlaits · 05/02/2023 08:27

We have them on two windows where the rooms have very high ceilings and incredibly heavy curtains

ShinyMe · 05/02/2023 08:35

Redruby2020 · 05/02/2023 08:14

I've seen them, something my grandparents would of had 😆

Show quote history

But why is 'something my grandparents would have had' a bad thing? Presumably grandparents also had saucepans and bedside lamps and toilet roll holders and bookshelves...

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 05/02/2023 08:43

I'm slightly bemused by people scorning pull cords as a thing. They are not visible - they are hidden in the curtain track and the bits you pull at the sides are hidden by the edge of the curtains. They literally do nothing to change the aesthetic of the curtains or their hanging, they just add an element of ease. I mean - I am guessing that these people hate curtain tracks, and that is what they think is old fashioned and terrible? Otherwise it makes no sense.

Thehop · 05/02/2023 08:45

I've got corded curtains with a pelmet. Super old fashioned but they really suit my house.

last house was just blinds.

depends on your home.

SquigglePigs · 05/02/2023 08:51

Personally I prefer the eyelet ones and that's what we have in most rooms. We have one that's connected to rings on a pole over the patio doors and then we have one that's on a pull string like you mentioned in the bay window as that fitted much better than any other style there.

We have blinds on some windows too (kitchen and bathroom for example).

Fundamentally you should just have what you like!