The Style & Design of Pinch Pleat Drapery

A beautiful drapery can make a bold statement at the window and in your home. With custom window treatments, you can choose designs, fabrics, and features you love that complement your home’s décor. Pinch pleat drapery is a carefully crafted feature on window coverings that are both modern and vintage—equally timeless—and showcases your home’s aesthetic.

Defining Pinch Pleat Drapery

If you have been wondering what pinch pleat drapery means, let us share some design features to know about custom window treatments. A pinch pleat is a header style at the top of the window where the folds are structured in a “pleated” fashion. This style polishes the look and involves stitching fabrics together. With a variety of pleats to choose from, you can customize the look to be more formal or casual for each room in the home.

What’s the Word on Double & Triple Pleats?

In case you wondered about the number of pleats in pinch pleat drapery, ponder no more! Each drapery set can have either double or triple pleats, or “pinches” of fabric at the top of the window, for a creative look. This commonly used look on pinch pleat drapes does not affect function but does change the look and shape of the fabric, gathering 3–4 inches down in either two or three pleats, depending on your personal style.

Double Pleat

You’ll find the pleats resting at the top of the rod, a few inches from the top, in two folds that form a “V” shape. This “two-finger pleat” gives a unique design feature and shape to the drape.

Triple Pleat

Want more than two pleats? Why not try three! This “W”-shaped pleating style goes from top to bottom, known as a “three-finger pleat,” for a different—perhaps more formal—approach to pleating.

Choosing a Header Style

Which header style or look you like depends on the aesthetic you want at the window and in the specific area of the home. Not only that, but you may want a particular style to match the décor, colors, and accessories at the window as well. A designer can help advise on how to choose the best features. Double pinch pleats are often considered less formal than triple pleats, with lighter fabrics for a more “flowy” look. Less fabric also means lower cost in terms of budgeting, especially for multiple windows and rooms.

Euro or Inverted Pleat on Drapery

With euro pleat drapery, there is a relaxed feel. A euro pleat gathers fabric near the top of the drapery, where the folds sit about a half inch down from the top. From there, the fabric flows down, giving it a beautiful, light appearance at the window.

Also known as an “inverted pleat,” this pinch pleat design can have a unique “upside-down” appearance when you look at it from a distance.

Modern vs. Traditional

Homeowners often ask whether pinch pleat drapes are considered modern or more traditional. It all depends on your perspective. They are a versatile, well-defined drape that gives shape to your windows and is an obvious, intentional design choice. While choosing this header style, think about how you want the room to look as a whole and how the window opens up that space. You may also consider how you want to layer drapery with shades, if you do, and how formal or casual you want it to look. This will determine fabric choices and hardware used on the windows.

To showcase your beautiful windows, add simple hardware and look for colors that stay more neutral. Choosing details is important to the overall look so that everything pairs well with the colors, patterns, and fabric you choose for the best result.

Grommet vs Ripple Fold Draperies

Explore, for a moment, a few design styles. Grommet and ripple fold are two popular styles that add freshness and detail to your overall window coverings. Learn more about which is right for you.

Grommet Style Draperies

Grommets are metal rings stamped into the header of the fabric, placed at the top where the rod goes through. The drape can move with less friction and create a beautiful look at the window. This free-flowing style looks less structured and more relaxed. Coordinate the metal on the grommets with the material of the hardware for an overall coordinated look.

Ripple Fold Draperies

Ripple fold draperies move on a track, with smooth movements opening and closing the drapes. The option is there to see the track rod if you choose aesthetically, but you may want it to blend in more with the surrounding colors. This gives a floating appearance as they move and settle against the window. Ripple fold drapery uses soft loops of fabric at the top with consistent curves and a smooth design throughout. Many people love this style choice, but you will have to come see for yourself which one you might choose.

Selecting a Room for Pinch Pleat Drapery

Pinch pleat drapery gives any room a style upgrade. The choice is up to you as to which spaces you want them in. Our most popular choices for homeowners are living and dining rooms and primary bedrooms. Homeowners enjoy them in living and dining areas to bring style up a few notches for friends and family. Many people want them as an elegant addition to their bedrooms for their peaceful, refined qualities.

Are There Motorized Pinch Pleat Drapes?

Yes! We offer a Hunter Douglas PowerView® automation system for pinch pleat drapery. Simply use a phone app, remote, or smart home device to choose your method of moving the drapes. Close and open them without worrying about light control and energy efficiency, as the system will do the moving for you.

Ready to Try Pleats?

We could not be more pleased that you want to try pinch pleat drapes. Our team is ready to assist you in selecting the best fabric and design features for your home drapery needs. At Custom Shades of London, we thrive on seeing your vision come to life within the home. Every window tells a story and deserves a great cover! Contact us today to schedule a free at-home consultation, or come to our showroom and see for yourself why homeowners love pleated designs.