The Curtain Style That's Making Your Home Look Cheap

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Whether you want to add privacy, lower your energy bills, control the light and sound entering a room, or you just want to beautify your space, investing in new window treatments can be a great idea. From scalloped sheers to blackout velvets, there are a lot of budget-friendly curtains that look way more expensive than they are. But even after you've carefully measured to make sure you order the right length, and installed the perfect curtain rod to hold them up, grommets is a curtain style that's making your home look cheap.

Grommets are those large metal or plastic rings along the upper edge of curtain panels. Like rod pocket, back tab, and many other popular curtain styles, they simply slide onto your curtain rod and are relatively easy to hang. But many interior designers say that grommet curtains are outdated because they frequently look mass-produced instead of custom-made. Another issue with grommet curtains is that although they are among the easiest curtain styles to open and close, to get a full look you may have to invest in twice as many panels. And if you choose a heavier weight fabric, this means you'll have to install a more substantial curtain rod. If the overall weight of your panels or width of your windows requires a bracket in the center of your curtain rod, grommet curtains won't be able to pass over it. You'll run into a different problem with lighter weight sheers, which may start to sag from the grommets over time.

Hanging your curtains close to the ceiling and using carefully chosen hardware are two of the most important window treatment rules that will make your curtains look more expensive. While rod pocket styles create the cleanest line, valances, clips, and pleats are additional drape styles that can create an elegant and eye-catching effect. If you've already invested in grommet curtains and want an updated look, there's one easy modification you should try if you're handy with a sewing machine.

Start by removing the grommets completely. Although you might be tempted to cut them out, there's a better method that won't destroy or shorten your curtain fabric. Carefully use a flat head screwdriver to wedge the washer side of your grommet away from the polished side. This will leave you with fabric panels that have a series of holes along the upper edge. 

Using a simple fold method and a sewing machine, you can then easily create box pleats that not only disguise the holes, but add a chic look to your panels. Start by folding your fabric directly over each hole to create a half moon shape before pinning each side to hold it in place. Then, sew a straight line down the panel from the top edge to the bottom header seam. Make sure to keep the raw circle edges toward the back of your curtain to conceal them. Attach curtain hooks like the Sopito Drapery Pins to the back of each pleat to hang your updated curtains.

If you don't mind losing a little length off your grommet curtain panels, there are a few other tricks you can use to make them look more luxe. The first method requires purchasing simple clip rings like the best-selling LLPJS 1.5 Inch Metal Curtain Clips, which come in black, bronze, gold, or silver. Pick a clip color that matches your curtain rod for the most elegant look. After ironing your fabric, fold the grommet section behind the panel. Use your iron to create a crisp fold before attaching a curtain clip directly above each grommet, using it to hold the fold in place. The extra fabric behind each fold will make your curtains look fuller.

The second method also involves folding the grommet section behind the panel. But this time, you'll permanently fix the fold by sewing it into place along the entire grommet section edge. Make sure you use a sewing machine needle that's capable of handling your specific fabric weight, whether you're converting a set of sheers, heavy velvet panels, or something in between. Once you've created what is essentially a rod pocket, you have two options for hanging. You can simply thread the pocket directly onto your curtain rod. However, to make them look more expensive, pass your curtain rod through the metal grommets. This will help you easily create an evenly spaced and softly pleated effect.