The Real Reason You Should Swap Out Curtain Clip Rings (And A Better Alternative To Try)

In addition to their functional purposes of blocking light and providing privacy, curtains have a huge influence on the overall look of your home. When it comes to fabric types, fabric length, and price, there are all kinds of tips for choosing the perfect curtains for your space. But did you know the curtain hardware you choose can have just as big of an impact? From rod pockets to rings, you have several unique styles to pick from, and although certain options will make your home look luxe and elevated, others tend to appear cheap or outdated. If you want to follow window treatment rules that will make your curtains look more expensive, then step one is ditching those old curtain clip rings. While there are a handful of benefits associated with curtain clip rings, including convenience and affordability, these hangers may ultimately make your curtains look shoddy and disheveled, with the exposed clips adding to an untidy appearance.

Curtain clip rings don't gather fabric well, so it can be challenging to achieve a nice pleated look. Instead, the clips often make curtains look more like a sheet hanging out to dry on the clothes line. This is probably not the look you're aiming for. Additionally, these clips could cause tears and other unsightly damage in delicate fabrics and struggle to hold up heavy drapes. So what's the alternative? Well, if you still want the convenience of curtain rings, then try pairing pinch pleat curtains with hidden pleating hooks and classic curtain rings instead.

By opting for pinch pleat curtains with pleating hooks and eyelet curtain rings, you can enjoy many of the same conveniences that curtain clip rings offer. For example, you're still using rings, so your curtains will be easy to slide open and close. Both options are budget-friendly as well. Unlike the clip-ons, though, pleating hooks will not damage your curtain fabric or create a visible eyesore. The pleated fabric also prevents your curtains from looking too stretched, which may make them seem low-quality. There are a few different types of pleating hooks to choose from, and each can affect how the folds turn out, allowing for several possible pleat patterns. Two-pronged hooks, for instance, could give your curtains thicker pleats, while four-pronged hooks create more delicate folds.

To use this style of curtain, you will simply slide the pleating hooks into the appropriate slit on the backside of your curtains. Then, attach the hooks to your eyelet curtain rings, and slide them onto your curtain rod. It's almost as easy as clipping your curtains on but with much better aesthetic results. If you're up for a little DIY action, try to custom pinch-pleat your set of loose curtains to give them new life.