Quick Answer: What Is an Eyelet Curtain?
An eyelet curtain, also called a ring top or grommet curtain, has large metal or plastic rings fitted directly through the top of the fabric, allowing the pole to pass straight through without hooks or heading tape. This creates clean, even folds and makes eyelet curtains one of the easiest styles to hang, though they work with poles only and are not compatible with track systems.
What Are the Downsides of Eyelet Curtains?
Eyelet curtains have three genuine drawbacks worth knowing before you buy. First, they are pole-only and cannot be hung on a standard curtain track. Second, the fixed ring spacing means fullness is not adjustable in the way a gathered pencil pleat heading is, so you are committed to the fullness the curtain was made with. Third, because the rings sit on top of the pole rather than fabric wrapping fully around it, a small gap forms at the very top of the curtain, which can let a thin line of light through, something worth considering for a bedroom where full darkness matters.
Eyelet vs Pencil Pleat Curtains: Key Differences
Pencil pleat curtains, also called tape-top or gathered tape curtains, all describe the same heading style: a sewn-in tape pulled tight with cords to create narrow, adjustable pleats. This is worth knowing since retailers label the same product differently.
| Feature | Eyelet | Pencil Pleat |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware compatibility | Pole only | Pole or track |
| Fullness adjustment | Fixed, set by ring spacing | Fully adjustable via cords |
| Hanging effort | Very easy, thread pole through rings | More setup, hooks and spacing |
| Look | Clean, modern, even folds | Traditional, versatile |
| Light control at heading | Small gap possible at top | Better seal, especially on track |
| Best for | Modern rooms, easy everyday use | Traditional interiors, wider windows, bedrooms needing maximum darkness |
Standard UK Eyelet Curtain Sizes Explained
Ready-made eyelet curtains in the UK are sold in standard width by drop measurements, given in inches, such as 90×90 (90 inches wide by 90 inches drop) or 66×54. The width measurement refers to a single curtain panel, so a pair provides roughly double that width when both panels are hung, which is a common point of confusion for first-time buyers.
| Size (Width x Drop, inches) | Approx cm | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 46×54 | 117 x 137cm | Small windows |
| 66×54 | 168 x 137cm | Standard bedroom windows |
| 66×72 | 168 x 183cm | Standard windows, longer drop |
| 90×90 | 229 x 229cm | Larger windows, popular all-rounder size |
| 90×108 | 229 x 274cm | Tall windows, floor length |
Eyelet Curtains for Blackout and Thermal Performance
Blackout eyelet curtains use a coated lining behind the face fabric to block light, and remain effective and popular despite the small light gap the eyelet heading itself allows at the very top. Thermal eyelet curtains use an insulating lining to reduce heat loss, a genuinely useful upgrade for older or single-glazed windows. Many modern ranges now combine both properties in a single thermal blackout eyelet curtain, giving darkness and warmth together without needing to choose between them.
Choosing Eyelet Curtain Colours
| Colour | Best For |
|---|---|
| White or cream | Light, airy rooms, small spaces, Scandi or minimalist decor |
| Grey | Neutral, versatile, works with most existing decor |
| Black | Bold contrast, modern or industrial-style rooms |
| Green | On-trend, pairs well with natural materials and biophilic decor |
Eyelet Curtains for the Living Room vs Bedroom
Eyelet curtains suit living rooms particularly well, given the clean, easygoing look and the fact that the small light gap at the heading is rarely a practical concern in a room used mainly during the day. For bedrooms, eyelet curtains still work well for most people, though anyone highly sensitive to light, such as shift workers or light sleepers, may prefer pencil pleat curtains on a track, which seal more completely at the top.
Pole Compatibility: Eyelet Diameter and Pole Size
Ready-made eyelet curtains typically have an internal eyelet diameter of around 28mm to 40mm depending on the range, and this needs to comfortably clear your curtain pole’s outer diameter, including any decorative texture, for smooth gliding. As a general guide, a standard 28mm eyelet fits poles up to around 35mm comfortably; if you have a heavy duty or oversized pole, check the eyelet’s exact internal diameter before buying rather than assuming a standard curtain will fit.
How to Measure for Eyelet Curtains
- Measure your pole’s total length between the finials, or the wall-to-wall span for a track, to establish the width you are working with
- Multiply this width by 1.5 to 2 to determine the total fabric width needed for good fullness, then divide by two for a pair of curtains
- Measure the drop from the top of the pole down to your desired finishing point, whether sill, below-sill, or floor length
- Add approximately 3cm to your drop measurement, since the eyelet’s inner edge typically sits a little below the very top of the fabric, and skipping this allowance results in curtains that hang slightly shorter than expected
How to Hang Eyelet Curtains
- Lay the curtains flat and thread the pole through the eyelets in an alternating front-to-back pattern for even, uniform folds
- Once threaded, lift the pole with curtains attached and rest it onto the fitted wall or ceiling brackets
- Adjust the fabric folds by hand so they sit evenly across the full width
- Fit the finials onto the pole ends last, once curtains are correctly positioned, to stop them sliding off
Ready-Made vs Made-to-Measure Eyelet Curtains
Ready-made eyelet curtains, sold in standard sizes such as 90×90, suit most standard UK windows and offer the fastest, most affordable option. Made-to-measure is worth the extra cost and wait for windows that fall outside standard sizing, or when an exact fullness and drop is important for a specific look, since ready-made sizes are fixed and cannot be adjusted beyond hemming.
What Are the Best Eyelet Curtains? Buying Criteria
Rather than a single “best” product, the right eyelet curtains depend on matching a few key factors to your specific window: correct eyelet diameter for your pole, an accurate size match from the standard chart above, the right lining for your light and warmth needs, and a fabric weight your pole can support. Checking these four factors consistently gives a better result than choosing on colour or price alone.
Eyelet Curtains Comparison Table
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hardware | Pole only, not track compatible |
| Standard sizes | 46×54 up to 90×108 and beyond, inches |
| Fullness | Fixed at manufacture, typically 1.5 to 2x pole width |
| Best fabric weights | Suitable for both light and heavy fabrics including velvet |
| Light control | Good with blackout lining; small gap possible at heading |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an eyelet curtain?
An eyelet curtain has metal or plastic rings set into the top of the fabric that the curtain pole passes directly through, creating even folds without needing hooks or heading tape.
What are the downsides of eyelet curtains?
Eyelet curtains only work on poles, not tracks, have fixed rather than adjustable fullness, and can allow a small amount of light through the gap at the very top of the heading.
What are the differences between pleated and eyelet curtains?
Pleated, or pencil pleat, curtains use an adjustable gathered heading tape that works on both poles and tracks, while eyelet curtains use fixed rings that work on poles only, with pencil pleat generally offering better light control and eyelet offering easier hanging.
What are the best eyelet curtains?
The best eyelet curtains for your home depend on matching eyelet diameter to your pole, choosing an accurate size from standard UK measurements, and selecting the right lining, blackout or thermal, for your room’s needs, rather than any single universally “best” product.
Expert Insight
Curtain retailers report that the 3cm drop allowance for eyelet headers is one of the most commonly missed details by first-time buyers measuring their own windows, frequently resulting in curtains that hang noticeably shorter than expected once fitted.
Final Thoughts
Eyelet curtains earn their popularity through genuine ease of hanging and a clean, modern look, provided you buy the right size, check pole compatibility, and choose a lining suited to your room. Knowing the real downsides, pole-only compatibility, fixed fullness, and a small light gap at the top, helps you decide with realistic expectations rather than discovering them after buying.
Buying eyelet curtains? Check your pole’s exact diameter against the curtain’s eyelet internal measurement before ordering, particularly with heavy duty or oversized poles, since this is the most common fitting mismatch.
Related Guides
- Curtain Types & Styles: The Complete Guide
- Curtain Poles: The Complete Buying and Fitting Guide
- Curtain Linings: The Complete Guide
Written by the HometoWorld editorial team. HometoWorld covers home improvement, renovation, and property maintenance across the UK, with guides written and fact-checked against current UK soft furnishing trade terminology and standard sizing conventions. This article draws on trade measuring guidance and ready-made curtain industry standards to give homeowners accurate, independent buying advice rather than promoting one retailer’s range.
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