The Outdated Curtain Style That Designers Are Begging You To Leave In The Past

We've got good news and bad news for folks who haven't thought about their window treatments in a minute. First, the sad trombone: your curtains might be outdated. But back on the bright side, they are also among the fastest, easiest things you can update in your home. Grommet curtains and drapes are increasingly derided among design professionals and message board amateurs alike.

Even if you aren't up on the lingo, you'll know them when you see them. Grommets are the big, bracelet-like rings that accommodate a curtain rod. You can spot them, and the aesthetic gaps they create, from a room away, and they make every fabric they top look floppy and sloppy. That vacant space the circles create is a big reason why grommet curtains just don't work. Long, clean lines and a more tailored appearance always looks tidier. The airspace made by grommets breaks all that up and makes matters worse by presenting as unfinished. That which made grommet curtains trendy in years past is exactly what makes them so dated today. A more classic choice will age better.

Rod pocket curtains like this Martha Stewart Lido Linen Curtain create those nice, longer, leaner lines that grommets disrupt. The "pocket" in this case, is more of a cuff that's been sewn in to conceal the curtain rod and create a flowing fabric panel. Because there's so little to a rod pocket, there's nothing to appear old fashioned later on. And it's even easier to slide on in one swoop than a grommet curtain's row of loops.

If a total upgrade isn't in the cards, something as simple as keeping your curtains open or at least a bit more drawn into pleats will obscure the grommets a bit. You can also upgrade your grommet curtains for a more luxurious look by adding cute trim or ties. If you are in possession of a sewing machine, the required skills, and long enough grommet curtains that you wish to dismiss, you can also create your own rod pocket with a couple of folds and some thread. And when it is finally time to swap them out, avoid the mistakes everyone makes when buying curtains, and be sure to apply the five tips for choosing the perfect curtains for your space instead.