Where Do You Hang Curtain Holdbacks? A Practical Guide

Curtain holdbacks are simple to fit, but their position on the wall makes a big difference to how the curtain hangs. Get it right and the curtain falls in a clean drape that frames the window. Get it wrong and the fold looks awkward, the curtain bunches at the bottom, or the window gets blocked.

Here is the rule of thumb most professional fitters use, plus the variations that work for different curtain lengths and window styles.

The standard rule: two-thirds down the curtain

The most common position for a curtain holdback is two-thirds of the way down the curtain, measured from the top. So if a curtain has a 90-inch drop, the holdback sits roughly 60 inches down from the top of the pole.

This position works because it pulls the curtain back at the point where the natural fold sits well, leaving a graceful sweep above the holdback and a clean drop below it. It is the position used in most hotel rooms, show homes, and interior design photography, because it consistently produces the most flattering result.

Where to fit it on the wall

The holdback goes on the wall just outside the window frame, level with the position you have chosen on the curtain. A few practical points:

The horizontal position should sit just past the edge of the curtain when it is held back. Too close to the window and the curtain bunches against the glass. Too far out and the curtain stretches awkwardly and pulls at the pole.

The vertical position is whatever fraction of the drop you have decided on. Mark both walls before drilling so the pair sits at the same height. Use a tape measure from the floor up rather than from the top down, because floors and ceilings are rarely perfectly level.

Use the wall, not the window frame. Holdbacks need to anchor into something solid. Most window frames are too narrow or too soft to take the screw properly, and the curtain weight will pull the fitting loose over time.

Variations on the two-thirds rule

The two-thirds rule is a starting point, not a law. Two situations call for a different approach.

Half-way down works for shorter curtains and for cafe-style or sill-length curtains. Two-thirds on a short curtain looks cramped, with too little fabric below the holdback. Halfway gives a more balanced look on shorter drops.

Lower down (around three-quarters) works in rooms where you want to show as much of the window as possible. Holdbacks fitted lower pull more of the curtain out of the way, which is useful for windows with a good view, period sash windows worth showing off, or rooms where natural light is at a premium.

For floor-length curtains in tall rooms, sometimes a higher fitting (around half-way) creates a more dramatic sweep that suits the proportions of the space. This is a stylistic choice rather than a fitting rule.

Match the holdback height across multiple windows

If you are fitting holdbacks across multiple windows in the same room, fit them all at the same height. Inconsistent heights from one window to the next is the single biggest mistake people make and the easiest to avoid. Pick one position based on your tallest curtain and use it on all of them.

Common mistakes

Three things people commonly get wrong:

Holdbacks fitted too high cause the curtain to bunch at the bottom and look short. The fold above the holdback dominates and the rest of the curtain looks stunted.

Holdbacks fitted too close to the window mean the curtain cannot sweep cleanly behind them. The fabric ends up pressed against the glass or the architrave.

Holdbacks fitted unevenly between left and right is the worst of all and the most noticeable. Always measure both sides from the floor and double-check before drilling.

What to fit them with

Holdbacks need a wall plug and screw appropriate for the wall material. Plasterboard walls need a hollow-wall fixing or anchor. Solid masonry walls need a standard plug. The fitting itself is usually two screws into a backing plate, with the decorative front piece screwing onto that.

Always check what is behind the wall before drilling, especially around windows where pipes, cables and structural elements often run. A cheap pipe and cable detector saves a lot of trouble.

The Homefords range

Homefords supplies wall-mounted curtain holdbacks in five finishes to match the full curtain pole range: antique brass, black, brushed silver, chrome and cream. Ordering holdbacks in the same finish as the pole gives a coordinated finish without having to mix hardware from different suppliers.

For trade buyers fitting out hotels, holiday lets, B&Bs and student accommodation, holdbacks are usually the cleaner and lower-maintenance option compared to fabric tiebacks. There is nothing to wash, nothing to come undone, and the look stays consistent room to room.

Browse the full range of wholesale curtain holdbacks at Homefords. Thirty-six styles across five finishes, all in stock with no minimum order.