— Curtain Heading Pleat Styles —

Choosing the right curtain pleat style is crucial to how your made-to-measure curtains look and perform in your home. At Redgraves Home Fabrics in Auckland, our curtain specialists help you compare wave, inverted, pinch, pencil and eyelet headings, then tailor each curtain to your windows for the perfect fall, fullness and function.

Living room with large glass doors leading to a patio with outdoor chairs, surrounded by greenery and trees, with white curtains and beige furniture inside.

Curtain Heading Pleat Styles

Choosing the right curtain pleat style is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your curtains Auckland-wide. It affects how the fabric falls, how much wall space you need, how well patterns read, and ultimately how tailored your room feels. At Redgraves Home Fabrics, our specialists draw on more than 60 years of textile knowledge in bespoke window furnishings to recommend the pleat and curtain heading style that will perform beautifully in your specific space – not just in a showroom.

Beyond fabric and colour, your curtain’s pleat style – the way it is shaped and attached to the rod or track – has a major impact on the finished look. A softly layered wave pleat feels relaxed and contemporary, while a structured pinch pleat creates more formal, architectural lines. Our consultants consider your window size, ceiling height, stack-back space, insulation needs, and how you use each room before recommending a curtain heading style. Explore the main curtain pleat styles we work with below, then book a complimentary in-home consultation to see what will work best in your home.

How we help you choose the right curtain heading

  • In-home consultations across Auckland to assess light, views, privacy and how each room is used before suggesting curtain heading styles.

  • Matching curtain pleat styles to fabric weight and composition – from sheer curtains to lined blackout drapes – so your made-to-measure curtains hang and perform correctly over time.

  • Calculating fullness, stack-back and track or rod options so your custom curtains maximise natural light and avoid crowding your walls.

  • Managing everything from design to installation so each pleat style operates smoothly and looks professionally tailored.

Call our Auckland curtain showroom on (09) 476 9102 or book an in-home curtain consultation to discuss pleat styles with a Redgraves curtain specialist.

Interior view of a room corner with a window covered by vertical blinds and sheer reverse pleat (Inverted Pleat) curtains, a black sofa with a yellow cushion, and a small black wall-mounted speaker near the ceiling.

Inverted pleat curtains

Sleek and architectural, inverted pleat (also called box pleat) curtains fold the fabric to the back, creating a clean, flat front with a soft, even fall. They are ideal for modern homes, large sliders and contemporary interiors where you want a tailored look without visible pleat detail.

  • Best for: modern living rooms, open-plan spaces and large windows or doors in contemporary Auckland homes.

  • Fabrics: plain and textured drapery fabrics where you want the weave to read clearly, including linens and cotton blends.

  • Practical notes: uses moderate fullness and can be specified to minimise stack-back where wall space is limited.

Blue and white watercolor-style curtain hanging in front of a window or doorway. Wave pleat S Fold

Wave pleat (S-fold) curtains

Wave pleat curtains, also known as S-fold or ripple fold, deliver a continuous, undulating wave of fabric for a very modern, relaxed finish. The specialised heading and track system control the spacing, so every wave is consistent from end to end, making them a popular choice for contemporary curtains NZ-wide.

  • Best for: full-height glazing, modern apartments, coastal homes and minimalist interiors where you want soft, linear drapery.

  • Fabrics: sheers and soft drapery fabrics that fall in smooth vertical lines, ideal for layering over blockout blinds.

  • Practical notes: requires a dedicated wave track; excellent where you want to preserve views and gently filter light rather than create a heavy frame.


Living room with beige sofa, assorted throw pillows, a throw blanket, wooden coffee table, potted plants, a large window with gray eyelet curtains, and sunlight casting shadows on the wall.

Eyelet curtains

Eyelet heading curtains feature metal rings punched directly through the fabric so the curtain glides along a decorative rod in strong, simple folds. They offer a casual, streamlined look that works well in relaxed living spaces and family rooms.

  • Best for: informal areas, feature rods and spaces where hardware is part of the design.

  • Fabrics: light to medium-weight fabrics that can form clean columns without excessive bulk.

  • Practical notes: more suited to living spaces than bedrooms where pelmets and blockout performance may be important..


Decorative single pleat curtains with plant patterns in a room with ceiling light.

Single pinch pleat curtains

Single pinch pleat headings introduce structure while using slightly less fabric than double or triple pinch pleats. The pleat is sewn at regular intervals, creating graceful folds that feel refined but not overly formal.

  • Best for: contemporary and transitional interiors needing a tailored yet simple finish.

  • Fabrics: a wide range, from cottons and linens to patterned jacquards that benefit from more open spacing.

  • Practical notes: a smart option where wall space is limited but you still want a defined pinch pleat detail.


Close-up of green fabric curtains - heading double pinch pleats.

Double pinch pleat curtains

Double pinch pleat (often called Dutch pleat) is one of the most popular curtain heading styles we specify, balancing fullness, structure and versatility. Two neatly sewn folds at each pleat create a softly tailored line that suits both character homes and newer builds across Auckland.

  • Best for: living rooms, dining rooms and master bedrooms where you want a classic drape with a polished finish.

  • Fabrics: performs well with patterned and plain fabrics, allowing motifs to remain visible between pleats.

  • Practical notes: uses a little more fabric than single pleat, creating a more generous stack and luxurious feel


Close-up of beige curtains with triple pleat heading hung on a metal rod.

Triple pinch pleat (French pleat)

Triple pinch pleat (French pleat) is the most decorative of the pinch-pleat family, with three folds sewn together at regular intervals. It delivers a rich, formal look that works beautifully in traditional architecture and more opulent interior schemes.

  • Best for: formal living rooms, dining rooms and statement windows where you want impact and classic style.

  • Fabrics: medium to heavier drapery fabrics such as damasks, jacquards and velvets that benefit from extra volume.

  • Practical notes: uses the highest fullness and creates a larger stack-back; best on windows with generous wall space either side.


Close-up of a blue curtain with a gathered pencil pleat heading.

Pencil pleat curtains

Pencil pleat is one of the most familiar curtain heading styles, using a multi-pocket tape that can be drawn up to achieve the desired fullness. The slim, parallel pleats resemble a row of pencils, giving a relaxed yet tidy finish for made-to-measure curtains and ready-made replacements alike.

  • Best for: relaxed spaces, smaller windows and situations where adjustability and budget are important.

  • Fabrics: suitable for many fabric weights, from simple polycottons to light sheers.

  • Practical notes: a versatile choice for shorter drops and secondary rooms where you want classic curtains without a highly structured heading.


Why choose Redgraves for curtain pleat styles in Auckland?

  • One of Auckland’s most established custom curtain makers, with over 60 yeats of in-home service and textile expertise in bespoke window furnishings.

  • Full-service approach: from showroom inspiration and fabric selection through to precise measuring, local manufacture and professional installation of curtains, sheers, blinds and shutters.

  • Strong relationships with leading textile houses, giving you access to the latest curtain fabrics, lining options and heading styles tailored to New Zealand homes.

To discuss curtain pleat styles for your project, visit the Redgraves Textile Gallery & Showroom in Mairangi Bay or book a complimentary in-home curtain consultation

Bright dining room with a large wooden table, surrounded by wooden chairs with woven seats, and sheer white curtains covering large windows. A woven pendant light hangs above the table, and a glass vase with greenery is at its center. There is a hand
Decorative curtains with a swan and floral pattern hanging in front of a large window.
Sunlight streaming through glass sliding doors with beige curtains, illuminating a beige sofa with cushions, a blanket, and a green potted plant inside a room.
Cozy living room corner with a cream armchair draped with a beige knit blanket, a wood side table holding two cups, and beige curtains allowing soft sunlight to filter in.
Living room with light gray walls, a beige sofa with cushions, a dark blue armchair, a round coffee table with vases, and large windows with curtains
Living room corner with a window, sheer curtains, a small wooden side table with a plant and decorative items, and a beige armchair with patterned cushions.
Bright living room with white vaulted ceiling, large windows with blue floral and striped curtains, and striped upholstered chairs around a wooden coffee table.
Modern living room with large windows, a light gray sofa, a gray armchair, a dark rug, and minimalist furniture.
A bright living room with a large arched window, blue curtains, a blue tufted chaise lounge with pillows, a blue cabinet, a blue ceramic side table, and a standing lamp with a patterned shade.
Elegant living room with tall arched windows covered by dark green velvet curtains, a grand chandelier hanging from ornate ceiling molding, a fireplace with a lit fire, and vintage furniture including a green velvet sofa and two armchairs, a coffee t
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