How to Hang Grommet Curtains (Even Folds) | Ona
Share
Mount the rod first. Then thread each panel from its outer edge: push the rod into the first grommet from the front and weave in and out of every grommet, so both edges turn back toward the wall. Use about 2× your rod width in flat fabric. Finally, tie the folds loosely for 2–3 days so they set evenly.
- Rod: narrower than the grommet opening, so it slides freely
- Fabric: about 2× the rod width in total flat panel width
- Height: set from the fabric top, which sits above the rod
- Threading: rod into the first grommet from the front
- Folds: spaced evenly, then tied for 2–3 days
Updated October 2026 · Ona fit guidance
What grommet curtains are
Grommet curtains have metal rings, called grommets or eyelets, set into a stiffened top hem. The rod runs straight through the rings. The fabric weaves in front of and behind the rod and falls in deep, rounded folds. Because the rings ride on the rod, the panels open and close with a light pull.
A grommet curtain panel is one piece of fabric with its own row of grommets. Most windows take two, one on each side. At Ona, a pair is 2 panels and the wide panel is 1. Every listed size is a flat panel size, and folds take up some of that width once the curtain hangs.
What you need
- A curtain rod with brackets and finials. Ona doesn't sell rods, rings or hooks.
- A tape measure, pencil and level
- A drill, screws and wall anchors suited to your wall (follow the rod maker's instructions)
- A step stool
- Soft ties or fabric strips for training the folds
- A steamer, only if the care label allows it
Choose a rod that fits the grommets
The rod has to slide through the rings freely. A rod that's almost as wide as the opening drags and catches. Grommet makers list a maximum rod about 3/16″ smaller than the opening, and more clearance glides more easily.
| Grommet opening (inside) | Largest rod listed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1″ | 13/16″ | Dritz 1″ curtain grommets |
| 1-9/16″ | 1-3/8″ | Dritz and Sailrite 1-9/16″ curtain grommets |
| Ready-made panel, opening not stated | 1¼″ | Eclipse grommet panel listing |
Ona doesn't publish its grommet opening yet. When your panels arrive, measure across the inside of one ring and choose a rod at least ¼″ smaller.
A few rod details matter more with grommets:
- Center supports. Grommets wrap all the way around the rod, so they can't slide past a center bracket. With a pair, that's fine: put the support where the two panels meet.
- Tracks and traverse rods don't take grommets directly. Grommets need a rod to slide onto.
- Tension rods suit light panels inside a window frame. Lined panels are heavier, so use a bracket-mounted rod rated for their weight.
- Bracket depth. The folds behind the rod need room between the rod and the wall. Pick brackets that hold the rod clear of trim, handles and blinds.
- Double rods work well: grommet panels on the front rod, sheers on the back.
Before you hang: get the size right
Two numbers decide whether grommet curtains look full and land where you want them.
Width: about 2× the rod
Ona's fit guidance starts with 2× your rod width in total flat fabric. Grommet panels need that fullness to form proper folds. At 1×, they hang almost flat and the rings look sparse. Measure the rod from end to end, not counting the finials.
| Rod width (without finials) | Ona grommet panels for at least 2× | Total flat fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 42″ | 1 pair, 42″ wide per panel | 84″ |
| 43–52″ | 1 pair, 52″ wide per panel (linen texture or velvet) | 104″ |
| 53–70″ | 2 wide panels, 70″ each | 140″ |
| 71–84″ | 2 pairs, 42″ wide per panel | 168″ |
| 85–104″ | 2 pairs, 52″ wide per panel | 208″ |
| 105–140″ | 4 wide panels | 280″ |
Prefer lighter or fuller folds? The curtain calculator works out panel counts from 1× to 3×.
Height: measure from the fabric top
Ona measures length from the fabric top to the hem. On a grommet curtain, the fabric top sits above the rod because the grommets are set below the top edge. So:
Rod-top height = fabric-top height − heading allowance
The heading allowance is the fabric from the panel's top edge down to the top of the grommet opening, where the panel rests on the rod. Once your panels arrive, lay one flat and measure it.
| Panel length | Float (½″ above the floor) | Floor kiss | Puddle (4″ on the floor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84″ | 84½″ | 84″ | 80″ |
| 90″ | 90½″ | 90″ | 86″ |
| 96″ | 96½″ | 96″ | 92″ |
| 108″ | 108½″ | 108″ | 104″ |
The table gives the height from the floor to the fabric top. It uses Ona's hem finishes: float −½″, floor kiss 0″ and puddle +4″.
Worked example. You want 84″ panels to kiss the floor, so the fabric top goes at 84″. If the heading allowance were 1½″ (an example, not an Ona measurement), the top of the rod would sit at 82½″. Above an 80″ window frame, the fabric top lands 4″ above the frame, which is the classic line.
For placement, hang the rod 4–6″ above the frame for a classic look, or half to two-thirds of the way to the ceiling for a taller one. Run it past the frame on both sides so open panels stack on the wall, not the glass. With a ceiling-mounted rod, leave room for the fabric that rises above it. More detail: how high to hang curtains .
How to hang grommet curtains, step by step
- Mark the rod height. Find the fabric-top height for your length and hem, subtract the heading allowance, and mark that line. Mark both bracket positions on it with a level, past the frame on each side.
- Mount the brackets. Fix them into studs, or use anchors rated for your wall, following the rod's instructions. If the rod needs a center support, put it where the two panels will meet.
- Prepare the panels. Unfold them and let them hang or lie flat so packing creases relax. Steam only if the sewn-in care label allows it. Find the face side, and count the grommets on each panel.
- Thread the first panel from its outer edge. Take one finial off the rod. With the face toward the room, push the rod tip into the first grommet from the front. Bring it out through the next grommet from the back. Keep weaving front, back, front to the last grommet, without twisting the panel.
- Thread the second panel the same way. Enter its first grommet from the front, then weave through the rest. Check that both panels face the room.
- Set the rod and anchor the outer edges. Lift the rod into the brackets. If the rod extends far enough, slide the outermost grommet on each side past its bracket, so it sits between the bracket and the finial. That holds the edge in place and wraps it back toward the wall. Then refit the finial.
- Dress the folds. Close the curtains and space the rings evenly along the rod. Push each fold in front of the rod forward and each fold behind it back. Run your hands down every fold from top to hem.
- Train them. Tie each panel loosely with soft ties at the top, middle and hem. Leave them for 2–3 days, then untie, open and close a few times, and re-tie if the folds relax.
Why the grommet count matters. Most ready-made grommet panels have an even number of grommets. Start from the front and both edges turn back toward the wall. With an odd number, one edge faces the room, so put that edge at the center where the panels meet.
How to get even folds
The grommet spacing sets the folds. The fabric between each pair of rings forms one fold, alternating in front of and behind the rod. You can't change the spacing, but you can make every fold match:
- Use enough fabric. At about 2× the rod width, folds are deep and rounded. With less fabric, the waves come out shallow and uneven.
- Space the rings evenly along the rod when the curtains are closed. Uneven gaps make uneven folds.
- Check the edges. Both outer edges should turn back toward the wall. If one faces the room, re-thread that panel.
- Train the folds for 2–3 days, as in step 8.
- Mind the hem. A floor kiss or a slight float shows clean, straight folds. A puddle softens them.
- Lined or unlined. Lining adds body, which usually gives rounder folds. Ona's linen-texture grommet pair and wide panel are lined. The velvet pair is unlined and drapes more softly, so give it the full training time.
The toilet-paper-roll curtain hack
This is a viral trend, not an Ona recommendation. Ona hasn't tested it with its panels.
The hack spread on TikTok, and home sites picked it up in 2023. You slip empty cardboard tubes onto the rod between the grommets, so the folds space out the same way every time.
How people do it:
- Take the panel off the rod.
- Re-thread it, sliding a tube onto the rod in every other gap between grommets. Each tube goes where the fabric passes in front of the rod, so the fabric wraps around the tube and hides it.
- Leave the gaps in between empty, so those grommets sit close together behind the fabric.
- Count your grommets to know how many tubes you need. Some people cut the tubes in half for shallower folds.
Why it works: each tube is a fixed spacer, so every front fold comes out the same width.
The trade-offs:
- The tubes take up rod space, so open panels can't bunch as tightly. More of the window stays covered.
- Cardboard can crush or discolor, and it can show from the side or from outside.
- Tubes may not fit over a thick rod.
- Commenters suggest foam pipe insulation as a sturdier spacer. That's still a hack.
The more reliable route to even folds is simpler: 2× fullness, correct threading and 2–3 days of training.
How to hang two grommet curtains together
People use the phrase for three different jobs.
A pair that meets in the middle
Thread both panels onto one rod, as in the steps above, one on each side of center. Each inner edge turns back toward the wall, and the two edges meet at the center.
Closing the gap in the middle
To stop light leaking between the panels, overlap them on the rod:
- Thread the first panel, stopping before its last two grommets.
- Lay the second panel over the first, so its first two grommets line up with those last two.
- Push the rod through both layers at each of those grommets, then thread the rest of the second panel.
The trade-off: the panels no longer part in the middle. You open them by sliding the joined panels to one side. This suits bedrooms, media rooms and windows you rarely open.
Two panels on the same side
A wide window may need two panels per side. Overlap the last grommet of one panel with the first grommet of the next, so they move as one wider panel and no seam opens between them. A 104″ rod, for example, takes two 52″ pairs at 2×, which is two panels on each side.
No-gap tips for a darker room
- Overlap at the center, as above.
- Wrap the outer edges by setting the end grommet outside each bracket.
- Hang higher and wider than the window frame, so light has farther to travel around the edges.
- Go to the floor, so light can't escape under a short hem.
Ona's linen-texture grommet pair and wide panel use supplier-listed 100% blackout fabric. Light can still enter at the top, sides and center of any curtain, so how you hang it matters as much as the fabric. The velvet pair is room-darkening, not blackout. More ideas: how to block light around curtains .
Grommet vs other curtain headings
| Grommet | Back tab | Rod pocket | Clip rings or hooks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it hangs | Rod runs through metal rings in the top hem | Loops sewn on the back slip over the rod | Rod runs through a sewn channel | Rings clip to the top edge, or hooks hang from a ring rod or track |
| Rod visible | Yes, between the folds | Mostly hidden | Hidden | Rod and rings show above the fabric |
| Daily opening | Easy; the rings glide | Takes a little more effort | Hard; best for panels that stay put | Easy |
| Fold look | Deep, rounded and regular | Softer and tailored | Gathered | Depends on the fabric |
| At Ona | Grommet pair, wide panel, velvet pair | Back-tab and rod-pocket pair (hangs either way) | Same pair | No hardware sold |
For a fuller comparison, see grommet vs rod pocket vs back tab curtains .
Are grommet curtains out of style?
Some designers now call grommets dated, mostly because of visible rings and very regular folds. They're still one of the easiest headings to live with, and hung well they look tailored. Recent design pieces single out grommet styles, including Hunker's 2026 list of dated curtain looks and an Apartment Therapy piece on silver grommet curtains.
To make them look considered:
- Hang high and wide, and go to the floor.
- Use 2× fullness, so the folds look generous.
- Choose a lined or textured fabric.
- Keep the rod simple, in a finish that suits the grommets.
- Train the folds and turn the edges back.
If you'd rather hide the rod, a back-tab heading gives a softer line. Read the full answer: are grommet curtains out of style?
Common mistakes
- A rod too thick for the grommets
- Too little fabric, so the panels hang flat
- Measuring length from the rod instead of the fabric top
- A center support in the middle of a panel's path
- One edge facing the room because the panel was threaded from the back
- Skipping the 2–3 days of training
- Steaming against the care label
- Brackets too close to the frame, so open panels cover the glass
Ona grommet curtains
Three of Ona's four styles hang on grommets. Every size is a flat panel size. There are no custom sizes, and rods aren't included.
| Style | In the box | Width per flat panel | Lengths | Light control | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linen Texture Blackout Grommet Pair | 1 pair · 2 panels | 42″ or 52″ | 63–96″ (42″ wide); 63–108″ (52″ wide) | Supplier-listed 100% blackout fabric | Lined |
| Wide Grommet Panel | 1 panel | 70″ | 90″, 96″, 108″ | Supplier-listed 100% blackout fabric | Lined |
| Velvet Room-Darkening Grommet Pair | 1 pair · 2 panels | 52″ | 63–108″ (colors vary by length) | Room-darkening, not blackout | Unlined |
The linen-texture styles come in 8 colors and the velvet pair in 4. "Linen" is a color name, and "linen texture" describes the look of the fabric, not the fiber. Room images on the product pages are styling visualizations, not product photos.
Buy 2, get 1 free, plus a bonus 20% off 4+ items. Both discounts apply automatically and they stack. Ona ships to the US only, with free standard shipping shown at checkout.
Shop grommet curtains · Find my size
How to hang grommet curtains: FAQ
How do you hang grommet curtains?
Mount the rod, then thread each panel from its outer edge, pushing the rod into the first grommet from the front and weaving through every grommet. Set the rod in the brackets, space the folds evenly and tie them loosely for 2–3 days so they hold their shape.
What size curtain rod do grommet curtains need?
One that's narrower than the grommet opening, so it slides freely. Grommet makers list a maximum rod about 3/16″ smaller than the opening, such as a 1-3/8″ rod for 1-9/16″ grommets, and some ready-made panels list rods up to 1¼″. The rod should also run past the window on both sides.
How do you make grommet curtains hang evenly?
Use about 2× your rod width in flat fabric, thread every panel so both edges turn back toward the wall, and space the rings evenly when the curtains are closed. Then tie each panel loosely at the top, middle and hem for 2–3 days.
Does the toilet paper roll curtain hack work?
It can make folds more uniform. Cardboard tubes on the rod in every other gap between grommets act as spacers, and the fabric hides them. The trade-offs: panels can't bunch as tightly when open, and cardboard can crush or show, so training the folds is the simpler fix.
How do you hang two grommet curtains together?
For a pair, thread both onto one rod, one on each side of center. To close the center gap, stop the first panel before its last two grommets, lay the second panel over it so the grommets line up, and pass the rod through both layers. The panels then won't part in the middle.
How do you hang grommet curtains with no gap?
Overlap the center grommets of the two panels on the rod, and set the last grommet on each side outside its bracket so the outer edges wrap toward the wall. Hang the rod higher and wider than the window. Some light can still pass at the top and edges.
What is a grommet curtain panel?
A single piece of curtain fabric with metal rings set into its top hem, so it slides directly onto a rod. Most windows use two panels, one on each side, and a pair means two panels.
Can you hang grommet curtains with hooks or on a track?
Not directly, because grommets are made to slide onto a rod. Some people hook clip rings or S-hooks through the grommets to use a ring rod or track. That lowers the curtain by the ring's drop, so measure again before you choose a length.
How high should you hang the rod for 84 inch grommet curtains?
Put the fabric top 84″ from the floor for a floor kiss, or 84½″ to float. Then set the rod lower by the distance from the panel's top edge to the top of the grommet opening. Above an 80″ window frame, that puts the curtain top about 4″ above the frame.
Can you use sheers with grommet curtains?
Yes. Use a double rod: hang the sheers on the back rod and the grommet panels on the front rod, so each layer opens on its own.
How long does it take to train grommet curtains?
Usually 2–3 days, though some guides suggest as little as 24 hours. Tie each panel loosely at the top, middle and hem, then untie and re-tie if the folds relax.
Are grommet curtains out of style?
Some designers call them dated because of visible rings and very regular folds, but they're still practical for windows you open every day. Hang them high and wide, use 2× fullness, go to the floor and choose a lined or textured fabric so they look tailored.
Related guides
- How to hang curtains : the full hanging guide, for every heading
- How high to hang curtains
- Grommet vs rod pocket vs back tab curtains
- Are grommet curtains out of style?
- How to measure for curtains
- Curtain size calculator