The Best Curtain Tiebacks

Buying Guide for Curtain Tiebacks

Why buy curtain tiebacks?

Curtain tiebacks hold your curtains aside during the day so that you can allow bright, beautiful sunshine into your home. Yet they’re not just functional. Whatever the aesthetic, there’s a pair of curtain tiebacks for your space. Many are simple, made of rope or fabric to tie your curtains back with minimal adornments. Others are made of metal and fashioned into cool designs such as flowers or geometric forms. Others still are fancy, made of faux pearls, wooden beads, or colorful tassels.

What should you consider in curtain tiebacks?

• Materials: Do you love the look of a classic rope tieback, or do you prefer a touch of whimsy? Different materials add different feelings to the room. Tassels add a classic, sophisticated touch, while artistic floral patterns may give a whimsical vibe. Whatever your taste, there’s a great set of curtain tiebacks that will match your desired aesthetic.
• Curtain Length: The length of your curtains will come into play when it comes to tiebacks. For one thing, you should always place your tiebacks about 1/3 the length of the curtains up from the floor. Will your choice of tiebacks look good there? And if you want them anchored to the wall, will they fit in that exact spot? Measure your space before deciding the style of tiebacks that will work best for you.
• Assembly: Most curtain tiebacks are pretty basic: you tie them around your curtains. Others can anchor to the wall and make a loop around the curtain to pull them away from the window. Anchored tiebacks generally have a simple assembly, including one hook or screw that fastens into a small hole you drill into the wall.

Is a curtain holdback different than a curtain tieback?

Yes. A curtain holdback is a metal or wood piece that anchors to the wall holding back your curtains. It’s generally u-shaped, sometimes s-shaped. They are static and immovable and may not be a great choice for homes with young children. Curtain tiebacks are generally made of soft material. They’re generally easier to remove. Since they’re either anchored by small hooks or not at all, they’re a safer choice for homes with small children.

Our Picks for the Best Curtain Tiebacks

Pros: This set of two tiebacks features an attractive modern look that can add a great finishing touch to your space. These magnetic pearl ties feature nickel-plated, smooth, and rustproof magnets that are strong enough to keep your curtains in place. The decorative weave ropes can be tied in various ways to create a chic look for the living room, bedroom, kitchen, dining room, and more. Each tieback is a total of 18.5 inches long and can be looped to adjust the length to meet various needs.

Cons: Although these are described as good for thin or sheer curtains, they may seem too big and heavy for small curtains and need to be twisted around several times to stay tightly in place. 

Bottom Line: Consider these magnetic curtain tiebacks if you’re looking for a contemporary yet simple and elegant design to add to your window decor. In addition to the gray tiebacks featured here, this set is also available in aqua, gold, and pink.

 

Pros: These lovely curtain tiebacks work well indoors or outdoors. They’re nice and thick, so they can handle a bulkier set of curtains. Plus, they’re easy to use, so there’s no confusion or guesswork for the novice decorator. Simply loop them around the curtains and onto the small hook you install to the wall. They look super elegant, and they’re available in a two-pack or four-pack for your convenience.

Cons: The hooks are a little flimsy, so you may want to consider spending a couple of dollars for nicer ones from the hardware store.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for long, elegant satin rope tiebacks that won’t disappoint, check these out. There are lots of color choices, each with a luxurious sheen.

 

Pros: If you loved bendy straws as a kid, these fun tiebacks will be a good fit for you. They’re fun to manipulate and create your own designs on your curtains. They look expensive and stay in place, and they have a vine-like design that adds a nice touch to any simple or decorative set of curtains.

Cons: Although they can be manipulated in many ways, they cannot hold your curtains off to the side unless you install a hook.

Bottom Line: If you want to create a look all your own with a pair of bendable curtain tiebacks, you might just love these. The unique design will work with many design styles. Plus, they don’t require any holes in your walls.

 

Pros: Add a luxurious feel to your room with this set of two extra-large crystal flower tiebacks. The tiebacks feature strong magnets that are easy to install with no need for tools or drilling holes into your wall. These versatile pieces measure four inches in diameter and can be half-tied or fully looped around your curtains, adding a glamorous touch to your curtains or window treatments.

Cons: It’s possible the jewels can break, so their durability may be uncertain. 

Bottom Line: Consider these if you want to make a bold decorative statement with a larger-sized embellishment. These classy additions come in silver, bronze, and gold, so you can match them with any color scheme.

 

Pros: Tie up your curtains with ease with these heavy-duty tiebacks. These knitted tiebacks are suitable for medium to thick curtains and come in 19 colors and designs. No curtain hooks are needed with the rope and ball design, allowing you to tie back your curtains easily by fastening the cord loop. The rope is 22 inches long, and the diameter of the ball is 2.75 inches, for a total of 25.5 inches. 

Cons: These tiebacks are on the heavy side, so they may slide down thinner curtains. Also, they may not be ideal for outdoor use, especially in damp conditions, since mold can thrive within the rope braiding.

Bottom Line: These rope tiebacks are an excellent option if you want various colors to choose from and like a rustic vibe. Installation is easy, and the set of four is a great value.

Final Thoughts

Curtain tiebacks are functional and decorative items to add to your home to help you enjoy the sunshine. Whether you’re looking for something simple or fancy, one of these picks can make a lovely addition to your decor.