French Pleat Curtain Styles Popular in Singapore's Newton Area

by June

If you’re wondering if French Pleats curtains are the right fit for your home in Singapore, wonder no further. This style of curtain hits all of the check boxes: it has the aesthetic appeal, offers plenty of customisation options and provides multiple benefits such as enhanced insulation, light control and sound muffling.

In this article, we’re diving into all things French Pleats Curtains: the best materials to use for it, the benefits over other curtain styles, as well as how to style it.

But first, before we go any further, we need to understand…

What Are French Pleat Curtains?

Sometimes also known as triple pleat curtains, French pleat curtains are a traditional style of curtain heading, where groups of three pleats are sewn at regular intervals at the top.

This design not only gives the room a sense of fullness and sophistication, but it also allows the curtains to stack neatly to the side when opened.

Here are five key features of the French pleat curtains:

Even pleating: The design resembles a fan shape, where the pleats are spaced evenly. The structure adds to the sophisticated look to the fabric.
Hook system: French pleat curtains are usually hung using a 4-legged hook system, which can be attached to either curtain rods or tracks. Depending on the decor style, it allows for various installation options.
Full look: Because of the evenly spaced pleats, this type of curtain style gives the room a sense of fullness. The significant amount of fabric gathered also results in a rich and luxurious drape. This fullness not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also improves functionality by providing better light control and privacy.
Fabric Versatility: While you can use any materials you like, it is generally recommended for French pleat curtains to be made from light to medium-weight materials. We’ll dig deeper into why below.
Installation: These curtains typically require a track system for installation, which can be manual or motorised.

Now that you know what it is and how it looks, the next question is: why choose French pleat curtains over the rest of the available styles out there?

Why French Pleats Curtains Over Other Curtain Styles?

From eyelet curtains to goblet curtain styles, there are plenty of curtain types for you to choose from. Each of them have their own characteristic that makes them stand out, but the case for French pleats curtain is because they…

Provide an elegant and sophisticated look – Whether your home has a traditional or modern theme, French pleat curtains will fit right in. The curtain style creates a timeless, elegant look with their sharp, evenly spaced folds that give the curtain fabric a rich, luxurious drape. The pleats add volume and fullness to the curtain, giving the room more depth.
- Timeless appeal – As a classic curtain style, French pleats will never go out of fashion. For your curtains to last longer, opt for high-quality fabrics in neutral colours, which ensures the curtains remain stylish for years to come. Speak to our team at Acacia Fabrics to get recommendations!
Enhance privacy and light control – Because of the voluminous folds and significant amount of fabric used in French pleats, they provide excellent light blocking and privacy. For more enhanced light control, the curtains can be lined with blackout material.
Offer customisable options – French pleat curtains can be customised in terms of colour, fabric, and size to suit specific window dimensions and decor themes. This allows homeowners to create a personalised look that complements their interior design.

If this all sounds good to you for your Singaporean home in the Newton area (or any area in Singapore!), we’re moving on to the next phase: how to add it into any room of your choice.

In this section, we’re breaking down into three sections:

Best Materials to Use For It – For the best look-and-feel, we recommend certain fabrics for French pleats curtains.
How to Style It – We’ll share best practices, as well as tips and tricks to best style French pleats curtains.
How to Care For It – Curtains can lose their shape over time and the folds might crinkle more. Read on how to care for them and how to maintain the look of the curtains.

The Best Materials to Use For It

When choosing materials for French pleat curtains, it’s important to consider factors like fabric weight, texture, and draping ability.

We recommend light to medium weight fabrics. Here’s why:

In order to bring out the best of the French pleat curtains (which are the pleating style), they work best with light to medium-weight fabrics that can hold the shape and create voluminous folds. Some ideal choices include:

Linen: A crisp, natural fibre that drapes beautifully and provides a look of luxury.
Cotton: This is a versatile option, as it comes in a range of weights and textures suitable for pleating.
Polyester: This material offers a silk-like sheen and is easy to care for compared to real silk. It also doesn’t crease as easily as silk would.

Of course, you’re welcome to choose any other kind of fabrics as long as they’re able to hold the shape of the pleating style. When selecting the fabric, keep these criteria in mind:

Plain is best – Plain, solid colours work best to showcase the pleats.
Prints work fine – Lightly embossed fabrics and those with subtle prints or abstract patterns can also work well.
Structured fabrics – Crisp, structured fabrics like linen and cotton hold the pleats better than drapey, soft fabrics.

How to Style French Pleats Curtains

Styling the French pleats curtains is easy – since it already has a beautiful, voluminous design, you don’t need to do much to highlight its essence. Here are a few key steps to style them well:

Choosing the Right Fabric

Whatever your room’s interior design and theme is, you can and should select the fabric that compliments it. Lighter fabrics like linen and cotton create a more airy feel, whereas heavier materials add a more luxurious and moody touch. The choice of fabric impacts not only the aesthetic but also the draping style and functionality of the curtains.

Coordinate Colours Well

Next, choose colours that harmonise with your room’s colour palette. Most fabrics now come in rich colours across a wide spectrum, so it’s easy to find one that best compliments your room. Neutral tones have the ability to match with any tones, while bold colours or patterns can serve as the main focal point. What’s great is French pleats work well with both solid colours and light patterns, which means greater flexibility in styling. Alternatively, you can also select complementary colours according to the colour wheel, such as brooding red paired with sage green.

Ensure Proper Installation

French pleat curtains can be hung using a curtain rod or track system. This step is important, as the installation affects how the pleats will fall and stack. Whatever you’re using for the hooks, ensure it’s sturdy enough to support the weight of the fabric and maintain the pleating structure. We recommend working with an expert like Acacia Fabrics for this!

Consider Fullness and Length

For the full dramatic effect, aim for a fullness of 200% to 250% of the window width. This means using a good amount of fabric to achieve the desired volume that makes French pleat curtains stand out. Another factor to consider is the length of the curtains. If you’re going for a more luxurious look, choose a longer length where the curtains touch the floor; if you’d like a more clean and sophisticated look, you can opt for the curtains to hang just above the floor.

Opt for Layering

This step is optional, but it’s a great option if privacy and light control is of importance for you (especially in such a bright and busy city like Singapore!). Consider layering your French pleat curtains with sheer panels or blinds – this will help you better adjust the light coming into the room, while enhancing the visual interest of the window treatment.

Add Tiebacks and Accessories

Lastly, consider using accessories or tiebacks to add a decorative element to your curtains. From pearl tie backs to tassel tie backs, choose the one that matches or complements the fabric of your curtains for a cohesive look.

How to Care For French Pleats Curtain

Finally, the last section of the article! This part covers how you should care for your French pleat curtains in order to maintain the shape and appearance over time.

Consider the following tips:

Regular Cleaning

Vacuuming: Curtains collect a lot of dust and debris overtime, and it’s recommended to regularly vacuum to keep them clean. To avoid damaging the fabric, use a vacuum with a brush attachment and set it to a lower suction power. Gently run the brush along the folds and pleats, and ensure you cover all areas efficiently.
Spot Cleaning: If you accidentally spill anything on your curtains, immediately use a damp cloth to gently rub the affected spot. If you wait for a day or two, the stains might set in, making it harder to remove.

Daily Maintenance

Gentle Shaking: A quick way to clean your curtains is to simply give a gentle shake daily, either when opening or closing them. This helps to remove dust and keeps the pleats looking structured and defined.

Proper Hanging

Use Good Hardware: We’ve mentioned it above, but please do ensure that your curtains are hung using hooks and tracks or rods that are of high quality. This helps them to move smoothly and maintain their pleated shape without stress on the fabric.
Avoid Overloading: Do not overload the curtain rod with excessive weight, as this can stretch the fabric and distort the pleats. More importantly, more than the average weight can cause the curtains to be dislodged, potentially hurting a loved one or a pet.

Periodic Care

Steam or Iron: Pleats can wrinkle as time goes by. After rinsing your curtains, use a steamer or iron on a low setting to gently smooth them out. Similarly like vacuuming the curtains, do it gently to avoid damaging the fabric. Ensure that the heat is on low to not burn the material. An important note here is only iron or steam the fabric if it’s recommended for the fabric.
Professional Cleaning: Another option is to consider professional cleaning periodically. This is especially the case if you use heavier materials that are difficult to wash at home.

Here’s another handy article on how to care for your curtains – go here.

Conclusion

We hope this article is helpful for you! French pleats curtains are not only an elegant way to display your windows and to add more flair to any room, but they are also functional and easily customisable to your liking. This is especially the case in Singapore, given how busy the city is and how important light and privacy control is.

With proper styling and maintenance, French pleats curtains will never go out of style. This is made easy with Acacia Fabrics! We have a wide selection of fabrics for you to choose from, whether you’re keen on sustainable options or handmade styles – we have something for everyone here. Talk to our representative today!