How to Put Up a Curtain Tieback
To put up a curtain tieback, hold the open panel to the side at about two thirds of the height from the floor, then fix the tieback according to its type. A magnetic tieback closes around the fabric in one move, with no wall fixing. A holdback (a hook or knob) screws into the wall or frame, and the panel rests on it. A tie cord wraps and knots around the panel, then catches on a wall hook. The right result comes down to the height and the fullness you hold back.
A tieback shows off a fine curtain and frees the daylight by day. Kurtens makes curtains custom to the exact centimetre, in a range of colors and fabrics, to hold back with the tieback of your choice.
What a curtain tieback is for
A tieback holds the curtain open to the side. It frees the window to let the daylight in, shows off the drape of the fabric and frames the window. It is both practical and decorative: you open it in the morning, you let the panel go at night. There are three main families, and the fitting differs for each.
The magnetic tieback, the simplest
The magnetic tieback is a band of fabric or cord ending in two magnets. You wrap the open panel and the two magnets meet behind it, with no wall fixing at all. It is the quickest and most flexible solution: no drilling, you move it at will and remove it in a second. Ideal for light to medium curtains and for a rental.
The holdback or hook, the most secure
The round, rigid or hook tieback fixes to the wall. You screw a holdback (a small knob or wall hook) on each side of the window, then rest the panel on it, or hook a soft tieback onto it. It is the most stable and lasting fitting, which holds heavy curtains well. It needs drilling, so careful marking. For fixings and drilling in general, see the heading guide.
The tie cord, to knot
The tie cord is a decorative cord often ending in tassels. You wrap it around the open panel, knot it or rest it on a wall hook. It is the most decorative version, bringing a classic or boho touch depending on the model. It pairs with a wall holdback for a clean hold.
What height to set a tieback
The height of the tieback changes the whole balance of the curtain. The safest rule is the rule of thirds: set the tieback at about two thirds of the height from the floor (a third down from the top), which creates a nice curve without crushing the panel. For a more draped, romantic look, drop the tieback to mid-height. Keep the same height on both sides for perfect symmetry. The fullness held back should stay loose, without pinching the fabric.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not set the tieback too high, the panel looks squashed and the window off balance. Do not pinch the fabric too tight, the curtain loses its curve. Do not set the two tiebacks at different heights. On a heavy curtain, avoid the magnetic one alone, which slips, prefer a screwed holdback. And mark the position in pencil before drilling, to keep the symmetry.
The curtain that hangs well: custom
A tieback shows off a curtain all the better when it hangs true, at the right height and with enough fullness. Kurtens makes curtains custom to the exact centimetre, in a range of colors and fabrics, delivered ready to hang, with the fullness needed for a nice curve once held back. To take your measurements, see the measuring guide, then the Kurtens custom curtains.
Frequently asked questions
How do you put up a curtain tieback?
Hold the open panel to the side at about two thirds of the height from the floor. A magnetic tieback closes around the fabric with no fixing, a holdback screws to the wall, a tie cord knots and catches on a hook. Keep the same height on both sides.
What height should a curtain tieback be?
At about two thirds of the height from the floor (a third down from the top), following the rule of thirds, for a nice curve. For a more draped look, drop it to mid-height. The same height on both sides ensures symmetry.
How do you put up a magnetic tieback without drilling?
The magnetic tieback does not fix to the wall: you wrap the open panel and the two magnets meet behind the fabric. It is the no-drill solution, ideal in a rental, to move or remove in a second.
What is a tie cord?
It is a decorative cord, often ending in tassels, that you wrap around the open panel before knotting it or hooking it onto a wall hook. It is the most decorative version of a tieback.
Which tieback for a heavy curtain?
For a heavy curtain, prefer a holdback screwed to the wall, more stable, rather than a simple magnetic tieback that can slip under the weight. Mark the position in pencil before drilling.
Putting up a tieback comes down to the height and the type chosen. For a curtain that hangs and drapes well once held back, have it made as Kurtens custom curtains, delivered ready to hang.
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