Where to Position Your Curtain Tieback hooks?
If you’ve ever stood staring at a pair of curtains wondering where on earth to put the tieback hooks — you’re not alone. Worried they will end too high or too low? Leaving holes in your wall.
Customers Jeff and Margaret asked me the same question recently, so I thought I would you my quick rule of thumb for getting the hooks in the right place first time.
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The Simple Rule: Two-Thirds Above, One-Third Below
Whether your curtains are short, sill-length, or full length down to the floor, the same principle applies:
Roughly two-thirds of the curtain should sit above the tieback, and around one-third should sit below.
This keeps the shape natural, balanced, and stops the curtains looking like they’re being pulled too tight or sitting too low.
If You’re Using Tassel Tiebacks
Tassel tiebacks work slightly differently because the rope length and tassel size dictate the positioning.
Two key things to check:
- You don’t want the tassel hanging below the bottom of the curtain — it always looks a bit odd.
- Make sure the tassel sits comfortably within the curtain length, not too high and not dragging low.
Getting the Hook Position Right
There are a couple of little tricks that make the finished look much neater:
1. Keep the front edge of the curtain straight
When the curtain is tied back, you want that outside edge to drop straight down.
To get that look, your hook usually needs to sit 1–2 cm out from the edge of the curtain.
This tiny offset gives a lovely natural curve as the curtain sweeps back.
2. Position the hook at the correct height
Fit the hook at the height that gives you your 2/3–1/3 split.
Once you’ve done that on the first side:
- Measure from the floor up to the hook,
- Then match that measurement on the opposite side.
This keeps both hooks perfectly level — and trust me, your eye will spot it if they’re even a centimetre out.
Short Curtains Example (From the Video)
In the video below, you’ll see how I:
- Wrap the tassel around the curtain
- Set the hook slightly forward for a smooth curve
- Keep the tassel just above the bottom of the curtain
- Achieve a straight front edge and an even pullback
Watch the Video
Video Transcript: How to Position Tieback Hooks
Introduction
Hi, I’m Lee Stevens from ezecurtains.co.uk, and I’ve had a question from Jeff and Margaret about how to work out the best position for your tieback hooks. Whether you’ve got short curtains or long curtains, the principle is exactly the same.
The Simple Rule of Thumb
A very easy way to get the height right is to follow this rule:
- Roughly two-thirds of the curtain should sit above the tieback
- And about one-third below
This works for almost all curtain lengths.
If You’re Using Tassel Tiebacks
Tassel tiebacks are a little different because the rope length and tassel size affect the final position. When you’re using a tassel tieback:
- Make sure the tassel doesn’t hang below the bottom of the curtain
- Position the tieback so everything sits neatly within the curtain drop
Setting the Hook Position
1. Keep the Leading Edge Straight
When the curtain is pulled back, you want the front edge (nearest the window frame) to hang straight down. To achieve that:
- Set the tieback hook 1–2 cm forward from the edge of the curtain
That tiny offset creates a nice soft curve and stops the curtain from being dragged sideways.
2. Choose the Correct Hook Height
Once you’ve found the height that gives you the 2/3 above and 1/3 below balance:
- Fit the hook on the first side
- Measure from the floor up to that hook
- Repeat that measurement on the opposite side
This keeps both hooks perfectly level when viewed across the window.
Short Curtains Demonstration
In the example shown in the video:
- I wrap the tassel around the curtain
- Set the hook slightly forward to keep the front edge straight
- Ensure the tassel sits just above the bottom of the curtain
- Dress the curtain so the curve looks natural
Final Thoughts
That’s all there is to it. Using the 2/3 rule and matching your hook heights from the floor makes everything look neat, balanced, and intentional.
I hope that was useful!
This gives a quick visual of the whole process — it’s easier than you think once you’ve seen it done.
Need Help With Your Own Curtains?
If you’re stuck, feel free to drop me a message with a photo of your window.
I’m always happy to point you in the right direction.
While you’re here here!
Why not have a look at our custom made curtain tracks with a 10 year guarantee.