Different drapery pleat styles are one of the things that make custom drapes stand out from off-the-rack drapes. Pleats give drapery panels structure and shape. Without pleating, drapery panels can look limp and lifeless; pleating gives your drapes a presence. The terminology of the window treatments is not familiar to everyone, so we wanted to share with you a different styles of drapery pleats. We asked Home by Eva’s expert, Eva Suwak, which drapery pleats are the most popular with our clients.
A French Pinch Pleat is our number one requested style of drapery. It is a classic style that’s timeless and gives a room an elegant, finished look. This style of drapery easily attaches to a standard curtain rod via hooks on the back of the pleats or via eyelet rings using decorative hardware. It is a series of equally spaced single, double, or triple pleats that are pinched in the center, forming fans above and below the pinch.
A Parisian Pleat also known as the Euro Pleat is quickly becoming a popular choice with our clients since it has a more modern sleek looking finish. Similar in style to the French, the Parisian is simply pinched at the very top. The Parisian pleated headers allow drapes to flow with elegant ease.
Another type is the Cartridge Pleat has a unique, stylish look. The shape is created by rolling the fabric into a cylinder at the top of the drapery panel. This style is most often recommended for use as decorative stationary panels, with blinds behind them, for a custom layered look.
The final style of pleat is the Inverted Box Pleat. The Inverted Box Pleat features a neat and tailored style with a fullness on the back of the drape, but a flat face surface suitable for contemporary interior design schemes. Some clients request a double length pleat for rooms with tall ceilings, adding to the drama of the finished look.
