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Curtains: Rod Pocket or Rings?

12 years ago

I'm hoping someone with a artist's eye can help me: I have a small kitchen and eating area, with a sliding glass door at one end of the room. As the space is small, I am trying to achieve an uncluttered, simple and more spacious look.

I've found some curtains I like, but can't decide which is better: using the rod pocket or curtain rings. So I've put up one side using the rod pocket and the other side using rings.

For now, I've only put up two panels but I will be putting up another panel on each side once I figure out what I'm doing.

To me, the rod pocket looks a bit more "finished", but the rings draw my eye upward and out toward the side (which I can only assume would be good in a small space).

What do you think? I'd really appreciate other people's two cents.

Featured Answer

les917

12 years ago

My first concern is how much are you going to be moving the panels - opening and closing them? If that will happen frequently, then I would do the rings. Much easier than sliding the rod pockets constantly.

You may also get a tighter stack back on the panels, which will be important on the side where the slider opens - you don't want to constantly be moving the panels out of the way if the door is open for ventilation or in use. The more you have to move the panels, the dirtier they will get from oils and things on your hands as you touch them to move them.

The only thing I can't tell is what each choice does to the length of the drapes. Will you need to shorten them if you use the rings, or are they too short if you use the rod pocket? That might be a consideration for you depending on the work involved.

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Comments (20)

User
12 years ago
This topic is becoming a learning experience for me. I never understood that the same curtains could be handled either way. (that is correct right??).
I think that I prefer the look with the rings. Neither is busy looking, but I thikn that just has a slightly more updated fresher look; the rings and rod are a nice touch with not too much distraction but of interest.
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portwest
Original Author
12 years ago
Les917, I actually doubt that I'll be opening and closing these curtains at all. They will simply serve as a "frame" for the window.

As for the length, it seems to be okay using the rod pocket or rings.

Shielaaus122, yes, the same curtains can be used with the rod pocket or the rings. These are a thin cotton-poly and the rod pocket just seems to "disappear" if you ignore it and use rings.
kristinekr
12 years ago
I like the rings--just a personal preference, but I think rings look more updated.
User
12 years ago
In your application, rings for both looks and function.
User
12 years ago
Personally I like the rings better because of the way the panels hang. Using a rod pocket tends to look uneven. I'm a bit anal about that. It may not bother you though.
portwest
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks to all of you. Rings it is, then.

I really appreciate the help!

PW
katlan
12 years ago
I apologize for hijacking your thread, but may I please ask where you got your curtains?

And btw, I prefer the rings, just my two cents.
graywings123
12 years ago
If you are still counting votes, I vote for the rings.
cth-1027
12 years ago
I also vote for the rings.

Chris
peaches12345
12 years ago
Rings, definetely.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
12 years ago
I like the rings, too!
natal
12 years ago
Well that was easy. ;)
portwest
Original Author
12 years ago
Again, thanks everyone!

Katlan, I got the curtains at Home Depot (Canada). They are Habitat brand and the pattern is called "Lisa Sheer Check".
terezosa / terriks
12 years ago
Rings, rings, rings!
loribee
12 years ago
Rings!!!
peegee
12 years ago
One more reason to like the rings - with them, the top of the curtain sort of extends the line of the trim (see 1st picture), and together with the rod uncovered, creates a cleaner, stronger effect.
Janet B
3 years ago
This thread is sooo old, hoping poster Portwest will see. Could you tell me where you purchased your slider drape rod or was it custom? I like it has 4 brackets vs 3.
Thanks
ni_de_vancouver
3 years ago
Ha ha so old but just helped me too :) Rings it is! Sorry, can’t help with the rod... finding them is a nightmare, am I right?! :) Good luck @Janet B!
Janet B
3 years ago
Well I went with 3 brackets, I wasn’t thinking about the fact you can’t close drapes with 4 brackets. They are fine for stationary drapes of course.

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