are pencil pleat or eyelets nicer?

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

Stuck in total indecision. We need new curtains in our living room. We have neither a modern or tradtional style to the room. It's just a bit of a mix really although probably more modern. I don't like massively "on trend" stuff as I prefer a more classic style really which doesn't date too much, although don't mind changing cusions etc to match trends every few years. Currently got a cheap plastic pole and some ancient wrecked pencil pleat curtains which were supposed to be changed 7 years ago (and we haven't got round to it !)

I'm just looking for something very plain and neutral, probably cream/natural.

@ZenNudist

How much for made to measure curtains usually? I'm getting new ones. I know it depends on window size. I want full length.

Don't like eyelets

Depends on length of your windows.

I like eyelets as they seem to make the curtains sit neatly.

@GemmaRuby

We have pencil pleats with no curtain hooks from IKEA - there are loops at the back of the curtain to push the curtain pole through. So they don’t hang below the pole, the pole is covered by the curtain.

Don't think they do the size I need.

Pencil pleat would look much nicer than eyelets. Ideally I who go for pinch pleat though as it gives a much fuller look.

Eyelets tend to be used on cheap curtains because you can get away with as little as 1.5 x the width so the fabric cost is low. I have made interlined eyelet curtains but that style is more likely to be just a lined curtain. If you want a weighty curtain you’d be better off with a pencil pleat.

Pencil pleats definitely. Look in any interiors magazine and you never every see eyelets, because they just make curtains look wrong. A curtain should have a bit of volume, and you can’t achieve that with eyelets. They’re a cost cutting measure IMO, as you don’t have as much fabric in the curtain.

I hate pencil pleats!

I really don't like goblet pleats, or pelmets, or tie-backs in a modern house (like mine). They look a bit fussy and old-fashioned imo. Pencil pleats are ok, but I prefer eyelets.

Pleats definitely look better imo.
Eyelets are a pita to close. The fabric angles the eyelet as you pull it which makes it harder to move along the pole.

I've never seen pleated curtains hanging below the pole 🧠💥

@Davros

I've never seen pleated curtains hanging below the pole 🧠💥

This. You get tape on the back into which you thread the hooks, and these link into the curtain rings at a level where they cover the rings.

Another eyelet-hater here, with apologies to PPs who like them (different strokes, etc). They always look cheap to my mind. Pinch pleats are my favourite.

@CurlyhairedAssassin

Yes, I suppose I view eyelets as being very "Next". Which is fine if you like that look but not sure it's right for my living room. We do have eyelets in our kitchen diner but they go with the look of the room cos it's less "lounge-y".

I'll probably be getting the curtains from Dunelm, @Shehasadiamondinthesky, just can't decide on the type, or pole really.

Eyelets aren't as classy as pleats for sure but I'm a bit of a neat freak and they do hang so nicely. I make up for that by having a really lovely iron pole with some interesting finials usually hand made, they have some lovely poles on etsy too.

As someone who only has blinds in the house, I am learning a lot from this thread!

@Zinnia those curtains are lovely, where is the photo from?

Pinched pleats hanging along a pole is my favourite, but we mostly have eyelets as I liked that style at the time. My mum calls them “shower curtains” and it has put me off.

Eyelets. Can't stand pencil pleats, old fashioned stuffy ugly looking things

Pencil pleats, eyelets are so common

Pencil pleats look so old fashioned. We have eyelets, which look stylish, neat and modern.

Eyelets for me mainly because I haven't got the first idea about how to do pencil pleat curtains.

Pencil pleats. But, I’m over 50 so my opinion probably doesn’t count, and I live in a victorian house so eyelets would look absurd

100% pencil pleat

@vastgrandupgrade
Pencil pleats. But, I’m over 50 so my opinion probably doesn’t count, and I live in a victorian house so eyelets would look absurd
I'm 64 and live in a Victorian house and it's eyelets everytime for me.

I would be interested to know how old people on this thread are - to me pencil pleats are something I'd associate with the house of an elderly person. But then I think curtains are a bit old-fashioned in general - we have them (eyelets) but only because we can't afford to have all made-to-measure blinds.

Have a look at hidden tab curtains too as another option. I'm sure they do those in Dunelm. Similar to the IKEA ones mentioned earlier where the curtain pole goes through the tabs at the back of the curtain so you can't see it.

Eyelets. I am common apparently I wouldn't have the first idea how to do a pleat. I have gorgeous expensive velvet curtains with blackout lining.

Pleats. Eyelets are very 90s/Changing Rooms!