Drapery Hardware = Curtain Jewelry (and it’s the Easiest Way to Upgrade Your Window Treatments)
Drapery hardware is curtain jewelry and you can’t convince me otherwise.
A simple white t-shirt and jeans can still look put together when paired with great jewelry, right?
The same applies to your windows. Simple, off-the-shelf curtain panels immediately look more elevated and expensive when paired with the right hardware.
But the opposite can also be true: bad hardware can make even the most expensive custom drapes fall flat (sometimes literally).
Here’s how to do curtain jewelry the right way:
The four pieces of curtain jewelry you need to know
Buying window treatments can be confusing and overwhelming because there are so many details to consider (and many are easy to overlook). Consider this your cheat sheet for choosing hardware for your curtains.
1. The Curtain Rod
This is the piece everything hangs from. I always recommend going with a thicker diameter, around 1”+ for most windows. Make sure to mount it high and wide (grab my curtain measurement guide for the specifics).
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2. The Rings
What the curtains actually hang from, and how the fabric moves. Rings on a rod give you soft, even folds. Pinch pleat hooks give you a more tailored, custom look. It’s the detail people feel before they can name it.
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3. The Finials (or go with a French return rod instead)
Finials are the decorative caps on each end of a curtain rod. Some rods come with finials; others are sold separately so you can really customize the look.
If you want a clean, custom look, French return rods are also a great choice. French return curtain rods curve back to the wall so there’s no finial needed. I always recommend these for bedrooms and nurseries because they help block more light (there’s no side gap).
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4. The Accessories
If you want your windows to be a little extra, consider adding even more jewelry like pull wands and tie backs. Bonus: they’re also functional.
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How to choose a curtain hardware finish
This is the step that stumps most people: choosing a finish for your curtain hardware.
The most important thing is that all your hardware pieces for a window are the same finish (I don’t recommend mixing metals here).
If you’re dressing multiple windows in the same room, keep the hardware consistent across all of them
- Brass or bronze: leans more traditional but can work with many different design styles
- Black: modern & graphic (bronze is a great option if black feels to harsh)
- Nickel or chrome: feels fresh & modern (but can give shower curtain vibes)
- Wood: can lean natural and casual, modern, or traditional, depending on the style of the rod
- Acrylic: glam, adds a touch of Hollywood Regency
And if you’re stumped on your design style, that’s exactly what The Designer Home Formula helps you figure out.
Get the Free Curtain Guide + Calculator
Don’t forget to measure before you buy your curtains and hardware! I put together a free curtain guide and calculator that walks you through exactly what to measure and how to size everything correctly for your specific window. Grab it below!