Curtain Accessories

What Are Curtain Accessories?

Wrong detailing can ruin a well-chosen curtain, no matter how nice the material and design it features, while the right curtain accessories upscale even the plainest designs. Curtain accessories should also match curtain rods and fit the home decor style in general.

Curtain accessories and essentials in New Zealand include a curtain rod or rails/tracks, rod finials, brackets, and decorative tiebacks or holdbacks. There are also curtain rings, hooks, and hangs. Accessories allow the curtain fabrics to drape properly and provide overall functionality while adding a decorative finishing touch to the setting.

There are several different factors to consider before selecting the hardware in New Zealand. The function is the most important - some styles look great but can quickly become a bit of a hassle to open and close on a daily basis. Some good questions to ask before the final decision are:

• Will the curtains be installed over a window, or perhaps a door? 
• What home decor style do they need to match?
• Are the curtains meant to be fixed and primarily decorative, or they will be moved frequently?
• Should accessories be discrete or provide a decorative accent?

Curtain Rods

In New Zealand, rods are the most prominent pieces of curtain accessory. They come in a plethora of forms and diameters to suit any interior design and style. In combination with stunning finials and hook, curtain rods can make quite a statement by themselves.

The rule of thumb for selecting the adequate rod size is based on the overall proportion. The larger rods better suit high ceilings and tall windows, while thin ones fit with shorter curtains.

Curtain poles can be customised and made to measure for an ideal fit. This is very useful for windows that are not of standard dimensions or shapes. Some models in New Zealand also need to be adapted to match with specific readymade curtains.

Curtain poles with rings are quick to attach and designed to effortlessly hang heavy fabric, while poles with gliders utilise an integrated glider for smoother operation. Corded curtain poles are suitable for frequent use, as they protect gentle sheer curtain fabrics from damage. 

Curtain Brackets

Curtain brackets are the sturdy supports that hold up the rod and all the weight. They come in many forms in New Zealand, but it's strongly advised to get the best available quality. The function here comes before aesthetics, especially if the set is meant to bear the substantial weight of large velvet drapes or thermal curtains. 

Curtain Rails & Tracks

Curtain tracks are carriers of gliders built into a discrete rail. It's a classic, versatile solution, easy to fit and suitable for daily use. There are three essential types of curtain tracks in New Zealand:

• Uncorded curtain tracks for manual handling, hand-drawn to open and close.
• Corded tracks with a manual pull, ideal for delicate or heavy fabrics, high ceilings and large windows.
• Electric rails and tracks operated by buttons, sensors or remote controls.

Rod Finials

Rod knobs or finials are decorative ornaments with a functional purpose. They close the system to prevent the curtains from slipping off the rod's ends.

Rod finials come in a wide variety of styles, colours and finishes in New Zealand to match any home decor and window type. 

Curtain Tiebacks & Holdbacks

Chic curtain accessories like tiebacks and holdbacks are great to add a final touch of style and perfect the window treatments design.

Tiebacks collect and pull the curtains away from the middle to allow in extra light. These traditional pieces of hardware still make a grand statement in classy interiors in New Zealand.

Holdbacks are a bit different. While a tieback is typically a piece of soft rope, a holdback is a rigid hardware fixed into a wall to allow pulling the curtain behind it. It's a decorative piece commonly made of metal.

Small Curtain Accessories 

Curtain Rings

A basic curtain ring comes with a loop on one end and needs a drapery pin to attach to the curtain in a loop. The piece should be placed in a way that makes the loop invisible. 

Curtain Rings With Clips

Clips are among the most prevalent methods for hanging a curtain in New Zealand. Clipping the curtain's top edge connects it with rings and allows simple and easy sliding over the rod. 

Metal Curtain Hooks

• A pin hook is a basic style. It consists of two sides, one featuring a sharp pin and the other a curved hook. They also may have up to four prongs. The pin/prong side inserts into the back of the curtain header, while the hooked side goes into pole rings' eyes. It helps the hooked side to effortlessly glide along a track or over a stationary rod strip.
• Sew-on hooks are quite similar to pin hooks, except that they have a prong with an "eye" on the hooked side. These hooks are sewn onto the back of the curtain header to remain in a fixed position. In New Zealand, they're typically made from brass to be sturdy and durable.
• S-hooks are, as the name says, made in the shape of the letter S. This type of hook is commonly made of metal but can be found in plastics, too - for instance, on shower curtains. S-hooks can be used with any curtain as long as it features a buttonhole at the top. 

How to Choose Specific Curtain Accessories

The quality and style of the hardware always matter, but some window types need more attention than others. 

Curtain Accessories for French Windows and Sliding Glass Doors

The height of the window or sliding doors is the key that determines the diameter of the curtain rod. Generally, the rod should stand at least ten centimetres above the top edge, to leave sufficient space for brackets and proper hanging. The same applies to the width - at least ten centimetres of the wall should be covered at each side. 

Depending on the overall length and the curtain's weight, it might be good to opt for a bypass C-ring or a traverse, cord-controlled rod.

Curtain Accessories for Wide and Tall Windows

For homes in New Zealand where the windows are very wide, it's important to consider how the curtains will attach to the rod. Most wide windows need specialised support brackets, such as bypass centre brackets or C-rings, for draperies to move easily across the supports. 

The quality of the rods is essential when the windows are tall. Long verticals also mean more fabric and, subsequently, more weight to hold. That particularly applies to heavy materials, often used for thermal drapes and blackout curtains - all hardware must be sturdy and resilient enough to endure the continual load.

Curtain Accessories for Corner and Bay Windows

Functionality is important for a rod that covers an angle or a curve. If the curtains are expected to be frequently opened and closed, it might be best to pick the corded track or an electric rail. This solution is also good when there's not much space available above the window's top edge. A ceiling-mounted rail will do a better job than a wall-mounted rod there.

When the curtain will be stationary and/or combined with blinds, a rod and a couple of holdbacks will do just fine.