DIY Pinch Pleat Curtains | IKEA HACK

In this video, I show how I used IKEA curtains to make pinch pleat curtains. This is a straightforward and affordable way to upgrade your curtain game and get on that designer level. I've had these IKEA curtains for years, and I wish I had known this hack sooner. But I couldn't be happier with the result!
Thanks for watching, and I hope you enjoy it!
{ S O C I A L }
instagram - / stephyoungren
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{ P R O D U C T S }
NOTE: Each of my IKEA curtain panels needed 11 pleat hooks and 11 rings. My curtains are 57" x 98".
curtains - any IKEA curtain will work as long as it has the pleat tape on the back.
curtain rings - amzn.to/3MCqVxP
pleat hooks - amzn.to/3LDjeGr

[@curlyfits]

Tip: When OPEN, the “Window Treatments” should CLEAR the entire window, covering only the WALL, and the frame, if there is one. *Extend the existing rod, or install a LONGER rod to create this effect.

[@canonrebel626]

Yes! I made the mistake of not using the rod properly to give the total window view and at first didn’t know why the curtains just didn’t look good.

[@noahmeah5149]

Super easy and helpful!!! Thank you for taking the time to film this

[@DomDollx]

Wow did not know ikea sold these types of curtians w all those installation options! Ty

[@nataliyamathews292]

Very well done !! So beautiful. Smooth instructions for install and fun video to watch ! Thank you

[@dosam_6146]

Thanks for the detailed instructions and the links. Great video! I think if I were to do this, and I plan to, I would use a white rod to blend in or I’m going to get the track system from IKEA and attach it to my ceiling. Other than that yours looks perfect.

[@johnalexander4384]

Love. Super important to note how much curtain width you lose via pleats… Also have to double curtain from 2 to 4. 👍🤘

[@stephyoungren]

Yes, great note to add. Thanks for sharing!

[@burkemil]

So, if I had needed 2 panels, I should buy 4? Thanks, I was wondering about this!

[@annejemmy1422]

Thank you for the video: I was at my wit's end looking for a cost effective way to get pinch pleat effect on ikea curtain! I am French, so you guess the name is completely different (pli flamand)!!!! 😂❤

[@SwahiliSpicE]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve been looking for curtain and it’s really hard to get a really nice pleated pair without breaking the bank. I even started looking at custom made curtains, thank god I found this video and didn’t commit to custom made!

[@JessicaBrown-fz7hq]

Thank you for filming. I really didn’t understand how to do this. Now I have confidence to try.

[@stephyoungren]

You can do it!

[@SalongirlGardens]

Perfect video for me as I’m doing this exact thing in about an hour. Thx!

[@stephyoungren]

Nice!

[@adinaciovina8156]

How about washing the curtains? Do you have to remove all the hooks and do it all over again?

[@carolinewanjeri7204]

Wow thank you

[@tasheekawhite2731]

Awesome! Never knew hiw yo get this clean sophisticated look. Thanks.

[@sdesigns-bringingyourvisio2305]

Excellent Tutorial!! The best video I have seen online on this topic. How many hooks do you need per panel?

[@stephyoungren]

Glad it was helpful! 11 per panel for the ones I used!

[@coxo9994]

I was always scarred to buy them, tx so much so helpful

[@stephyoungren]

You got this!

[@JJKMILLIONDOL]

those drapes are a dream! unfortunate they have discontinued it in ikea USA

[@winkledub]

thank you for this! my curtains look divine

[@Warwck24]

Never heard of pleat hooks thx grt tutorial

[@lisahohener5825]

Thanks for this! You inspired me to do this in my bedroom. One question - how many rings did you end up needing for each panel? Thank you!

[@stephyoungren]

I think it was 11/panel if I remember correctly 🙈

[@CharmaineClorina]

How wide is your window? Thanks!

[@christinesvi]

Wonderful! Can you please tell me what was the width before and after pleating? I want to order curtains online and don't know what dimensions I should buy. The final width of the curtains after pleating should be 2.70m. Thank you!

[@stephyoungren]

Ok so typically you want your curtains to be 2x (or 2.5x) the width of your rod so that when you add the pleats its gathers nicely. So I would take your overall rod length and multiply that by 2 or 2.5. Whatever that number is, is the total width (before pleats) that you’ll need. Hope that helps!

[@trudiecreed6315]

Love this idea. Can you do it on any curtains. I’m confused which curtains to buy. I love your curtain rod. Where did you get it

[@stephyoungren]

Curtains and rod are from ikea! Vivan is the name of the exact curtians I used, but you can do it with other styles. As long as it has the pleat tape on the backside it will work. Hope that helps!

[@burkemil]

Are you counting the "4" to start with the pin from that vertical string-y curtain pocket? or the last pin placed? I LVOE THIS VIDEO!

[@stephyoungren]

From the stringy bit!

[@robinhammett9562]

Very helpful, I bought curtains from IKEA for 7 windows I think I’m going to be busy for a while.lol😂

[@stephyoungren]

Godspeed 😂

[@lindalavigne5939]

How many pleats for each panel, btw this is the best video demonstrating ikea curtain pleating. Thank you😊

[@stephyoungren]

So nice of you! I believe it’s 13 hooks/rings and that gives you 11 full pleats since the ends don’t actually “pleat” if that makes sense! But that’s going off of memory bc I took them down to move…

[@coxo9994]

Beautiful

[@SONONJA]

Thanks for sharing!

[@BELLABIP0109]

Thank you!

[@pinkypromise111]

Hi, what is the name of the curtains? Are they a heavier sheer ? Can’t tell from video . Thanks!

[@stephyoungren]

They are the Vivan, but have been discontinued in the USA :( they are on the thinner side so a thick sheet or thinner curtain will give best results

[@leaharaee]

Very beautiful! Unfortunately ikea doesn’t sell these curtains anymore 😔 I’ve been looking for 2 months for curtains I love and these are perfect. Does anyone have suggestions on an ikea curtain that’s very similar to the Vivian?! Thanks for the information!

[@f.m.8742]

I bought Tibast curtains from IKEA recently and they have the pleater hook pockets Unfortunately I can’t get these to go in so gracefully like this video 😒

[@rfor4737]

Doubt I get an answer but how do you figure out how to space the pleats based on the full width of the curtain?? I can pleat them but have had to redo a couple times and getting frustrated cuz its not turning out even!

[@stephyoungren]

That’s sounds frustrating! If you’re using the ikea curtains, they have a unique design so on the back and the pleat tape is already divided up evenly. The end sections are smaller so I just inserted the hook straight in without pleating the fabric. It’s hard to explain unless you are using their curtains, but the back has pleat tape AND loops for a curtain rod. So each pleat will fall between the rod loops. If you’re using a different curtain that doesn’t have the sections, I’d say you’ll have to do some math to figure out how to space them evenly before you get started. I would lay it out on the floor and space the pleat hooks out first before you start hooking the fabric. Hope that helps!

[@katiethalman2514]

Thanks so much! where did you get your wall sconces? :)

[@stephyoungren]

It was so long ago I can’t even remember! I know Etsy has a lot in this style. Also I required them myself w/ that cute rope which I got off Amazon.

[@WGodfrey1]

Width of window? I have a 8’ window and 50” wide panels. I’m hoping 4 panels will be enough. Thanks.

[@stephyoungren]

Rule of thumb is 1.5x the width so I’d say that’s about right for the fullness. Just remember that when you add the pleats, your curtain width shrinks bc of the gathering. Start with 4 panels and see how that looks, you can always add more if it’s not “full” enough for your liking.

[@lindalavigne5939]

If you have rings on your drapes and then you want sheers as well, double rod should you use the same size rings

[@stephyoungren]

I actually had double rod with sheers before doing this and I found this look to be “cleaner” and simpler. And these specific curtains are light filtering so we got privacy without sacrificing on light! Just a personal preference but I love how this turned out

[@OfcBlarneyfife]

I have a sliding French doors that are 140” plus 24” for extra space on both ends, add for fullness, I am looking at a LOT of panels. Would panels look awful with all the vertical seams or would they be ok? We open/close curtains every day/night.

[@kiwigirlNZ]

They’d look perfect with seams. When the curtains are up, the seams aren’t visible.

[@stephyoungren]

The seams don’t bother me. As long as you have enough panels you don’t really notice bc the blend together. If you can find wider panels that would help to cover more space and have less seams overall. Or you can tack the panels together.

[@saimas6642]

Thanks for the tutorial. The pleats dont look very tight. Is that because of the fabric or type of hook used?

[@stephyoungren]

That’s a good question. My ikea curtain are the really inexpensive ones, so it could be the fabric. I debated hand stitching at the base of the pleat to make it more defined. So that could be an option if you want to take the extra step.

[@subodhkhapre]

I am not sure the hooks you have shown will be useful for my curtains, But surely my curtains has same holding pleats. Would you recommend these hooks for my curtains?

[@stephyoungren]

If you have pleat tape then these hooks should work. But idk exactly what your referring to so just do a little research before purchasing anything. Best of luck!

[@marial.nascimento7959]

It looks good, but I think you can improve it, so you should attach the two panels each side. You can use fabric fusing tape, that you just need to iron, no need sewing.

[@stephyoungren]

Great idea!

[@dosam_6146]

No it’s not that great an idea. What are you do when you need to wash them? I guess if you’re only attaching 2 panels it will be alright. I just bought some vintage curtains and it was six panels sewn together. What a nightmare! They were filthy because obviously no one wanted to wash them 😂 so I’m in the process of rre-hemming them after I had to take them all apart and launder them. There’s a way you can overlap them if you use the right hooks and you won’t even see where the panels come together. They’re a little one prong hook that you can buy at Walmart or someplace like that. Just put them through the fabric at the end and tuck behind the next panel slightly. I hope that makes sense.

[@whyblue28]

can you hang them without using the rings? Like just using the existing pockets with the pleat prongs in?

[@stephyoungren]

That’s a good question! 🤔 I’m not entirely sure as I’ve moved and don’t have them put together anymore… sorry I can’t test it out for you :/

[@uloveholly82]

What are the measurements of that window? Thanks so much!

[@stephyoungren]

I’m not there anymore, but it was roughly 6’ wide. Hope that helps!

[@pattyf3984]

what pleat tape to purchase if one needs to sew it on a drape please? I see there are various styles. thank you

[@stephyoungren]

Triple pleat is good 👍

[@Scarmansanas]

What curtain is this?

[@stephyoungren]

Vivan

[@Linda_68]

Which ikea curtains are those?

[@abigailrangel2347]

They are the vivan curtains from ikea!

[@suzannehart224]

What is the name of the untainted you used?

[@stephyoungren]

Vivan

[@chengkitying2001]

Do you have 9-foot ceiling? What's the length of your curtains?

[@stephyoungren]

8’ ceilings and the curtains are 8’

[@Pilguahawa]

ALL curtains can be ironed. I see so many people don’t, it’s fabric, who wants to looks at wrinkles😂

[@tokiotrev]

What length is your curtain rod vs windows?

[@stephyoungren]

It’s about 12” or so longer that the actual window

[@eileenarellano7575]

What curtain rod did u use for the final look?

[@stephyoungren]

Just the standard black ones ikea sells, nothing fancy! And I don’t have a finial on the ends.

[@aditya.shahi.]

​@@stephyoungren are those the RACKA rods?

[@priscillagarcia2544]

How many hooks per panel did you use?

[@stephyoungren]

11 per panel

[@mcdijkhuizen941]

Pfffff difficult

[@scarlettwinters5642]

Which curtains are these?

[@stephyoungren]

Vivan curtains from IKEA

[@brittanycarney1101]

This is too hard 😂

[@stephyoungren]

lol nah you can do it

[@mariagutierrez3763]

Can you link your curtains please!(:

[@stephyoungren]

They are the vivan curtains from ikea!

[@sakicasakic782]

No one asked who to put them off when you want to wash curtains. I tried and it's a nightmare.

[@marygale740]

The p!eats look great!

[@stephyoungren]

Thanks Mary!

[@hmgreer8225]

Sorry but this not a "hack"! The Ikea curtains are meant for hooks too! Also much easier with the other hooks they have which you just put one on each side through instead of having to put all of those.

[@stephyoungren]

Thanks for sharing! Yes you can use the ikea hooks, but those don’t give you a triple pinch pleat like these hooks do.

[@pinkypromise111]

What is name of the curtains ? Looks very nice with the pleats !👍

[@stephyoungren]

Thanks! They are the “Vivan”

[@pinkypromise111]

@@stephyoungren Thank you for replying !👍