What Are Pelmets & How Can They Enhance Your Home Decor?

Pelmets, though they might sound like a fancy word, are actually quite simple additions to your window treatments. Essentially, they are decorative boards or panels that conceal the top part of curtains or blinds, creating a clean and finished look for your windows. They’re incorporated into many stylish room designs by top interior designers and can really add to the look of your windows. 

Beyond just looking great, pelmets are also functional too. By covering the top of curtains or blinds, pelmets help to trap and retain heat and reduce light bleed, so they’re a functional addition to your home. From adding to the look of your room to improving heat retention, sound insulation and room darkening, let’s explore how you can incorporate pelmets into your room. 

Understanding Pelmets

Pelmets are both elegant and functional decorative boards or panels positioned at the top of curtains or blinds, concealing the fixtures and adding a refined touch to your window decor. Originating in the 19th century, these ornamental additions were initially designed to trap and retain heat, improving insulation in homes. Over the years, pelmets evolved in style and function, adapting to various design trends. From the intricate and lavish designs of the Victorian era to the sleek and minimalist styles of modern decor, pelmets have stood the test of time. Perfect as a versatile addition that blends aesthetics with practicality in your home.

Exploring Different Types of Pelmets

Pelmets come in a diverse array of styles, each contributing a unique flair to window treatments. The variety of types and materials means pelmets can be tailored to suit all tastes and complement any interior style.

Pelmet Styles

Box Pelmets: Classic and formal, with a rectangular shape

Materials: Often made from wood for a traditional look, but can also be upholstered in fabric or enhanced with decorative touches

Swag and Tail Pelmets: Ornate and decorative, featuring draped fabric

Materials: Usually upholstered in luxurious fabrics like velvet or silk, adding a touch of opulence to your room

Contemporary Straight Pelmets: Sleek, simple and modern, emphasising clean lines. 

Materials: Can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal or even PVC for a simple and industrial look. The most common pelmet for curtains and roman blinds is a timber structure upholstered in your fabric choice. 

The Practical Benefits Of Using Pelmets In Window Treatments

Window pelmets aren’t just a gorgeous addition to the look of your room, they’re also practical as they can reduce heat loss, block drafts, add noise insulation and enhance your blackout effect too. 

Pelmets are great room insulators. By covering the top of curtains or blinds, they help trap and retain warmth within the room making your home more energy efficient. They also create a barrier that reduces drafts so you’re not exposed to changes in temperature outside. You can lose as much as 15% of your energy around windows, so adding pelmets not only makes your room extra cosy and comfortable, it’s ideal for reducing your heating costs. 

It’s even a great idea to use pelmets to reduce noise. The extra layer provided by pelmets can add to sound insulation, helping to reduce outside noise. This is especially useful if your home is in a busy or noisy area.

By covering the top part of your windows, pelmets can also add an extra layer of room darkening. Most curtains or blinds will allow some light bleed through the top of the product, the addition of a pelmet reduces this light coming into the room meaning improved blackout effect and a better night sleep. 

Enhancing Your Room Design With Pelmets

With so many beautiful pelmet styles to choose from, you can always match them with your room style. Modern designers use them for everything from matching to your window dressings to blending with the walls surrounding your windows.

For a more avant-garde look, choose contrasting designs to make your pelmets stand out and your room really pop. Perhaps a pelmet pattern that clashes with the wallpaper, but in complementary tones. 

Pelmets can be perfect for a traditional room style, with moulded, carved, scalloped or elaborately upholstered options all adding to the historic grandeur of a traditional room

It’s also easy to add pelmets into modern room designs, using straight lines and simple textured materials to coordinate with the rooms decor and either match or tone with your curtains, blinds or wallpaper. 

Bring Your Room To Life With A Pelmet

At Concorde Blinds, we’d love to help you find the perfect pelmet for your room. With the largest range of window treatments in Bedfordshire and beyond, we can always find the right pelmet to bring your window to life. Elevate your home with our bespoke collection of pelmets, where style meets functionality. From timeless classics to modern designs, our range offers a wealth of options to suit every taste. Get in touch today and see how we can help.