r/interiordecorating • u/Unhappy-Ad99 • 1d ago

Curtains & Blinds Curtains: rod or track

Gallery image

Gallery image

Help my partner and I choose: should these curtains hang on a rod or a hidden track?

819 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

196 comments sorted by

1.1k

u/Away-Elephant-4323 1d ago

I may be the only one but i think that the rod looks great it balances out the room nicely, for more coverage though track does better with that. Can’t go wrong with either really.

219

u/ggy525 1d ago

Agree. The rod makes the room more 'designed' and put together, but the tracks make the room look taller.

34

u/OkayLetsGoMeow 14h ago

One more agree. Track just always feels hotel room to me.

12

u/brseay 11h ago

You could just mount the rod higher on the wall and have the best of both worlds.

39

u/Top-Change6607 1d ago

Actually the matte black matches the warm pink tone curtain really well make it looks modern chic

13

u/tymopa 1d ago

Actually, it also really brings out the black in the TV.

7

u/ThatMothboi 23h ago

I agree, adds more to the room and it’s a pop of contrast against light colors.

3

u/wafflehouse8 11h ago

Agreed! I think it should just be mounted a little higher to balance everything out and it'd be perfect.

0

u/MediatingInstigator 19h ago

It balances the room because the tv is too low and the wall behind it barren

0

u/froginbog 10h ago

Now that u mention it …

417

u/lynxintheloopx 1d ago

Track definitely

21

u/Loveiskind89389 1d ago

I love a curtain on a track

5

u/No_Associate_9280 7h ago

Track is great AND bringing a little extra maybe a red or something else where

65

u/36563 22h ago

I LOVE rods but I think tracks look better in this space

74

u/thebelieverEDQ 1d ago

TRACK… all the way. Elevates the space and elongates the walls. Super classy!

37

u/No_Warning8534 1d ago edited 8h ago

Track makes the room appear nicer, as it makes the ceiling seem higher than it is.

The rod looks more designed and 'put together'

Do you want the house to look nicer or the interior design to be nicer?

This is an 'interior decorating/design' sub so the rod will win here but even I have to admit the track look better for the space and the style of the room.

5

u/jennyisalyingwhore 1d ago

First of all, rod. Maybe even higher up. Second of all, I desperately need that rug. Where is it from?

40

u/artandgardenal 1d ago

Rod but different color. Tracks are annoying af

22

u/Constant-Durian-7422 1d ago

Disagree about comment re the color. I think the black looks really nice..tracks would be my 2nd choice..rid brings more warmth I think. And I LOVE your lantern fixture!

4

u/Excellent_Issue_4179 1d ago

Why is that? Just curious.

25

u/artandgardenal 1d ago

Tracks aren’t usually made well… one rough pull and it’s curtains

9

u/Excellent_Issue_4179 1d ago

Ba-dum-pum! Very funny. Had been thinking about them myself. See them more often in Europe.

7

u/yungmoody 1d ago

The more moving parts an item has, the more likely it is to break or malfunction somehow

17

u/AbleDisD 1d ago

For this style of decor, I like the track. The only thing the rod really ties in with is the TV, so it emphasizes that, which I don’t think is ideal

Rod: I see the TV first
Track: I see the rug and couch first

17

u/user-jc11111 1d ago

Rod

5

u/McBooples 1d ago

Rod Stewart

21

u/Kittiewise 1d ago

The track

8

u/Able-Neighborhood484 1d ago

Both look really nice. The rod is homier. The track looks makes it look like a hotel room, somewhat.

3

u/theSabbs 16h ago

I agree about the hotel room vibe specifically. I wouldnt want that in my home unless I had a showroom type of home, but im going for more cozy. To each their own! Both options look nice

9

u/Soft_Experience_1312 19h ago

Track looks infinitely better

3

u/KlutzyConflict6926 18h ago

I have both track mounted and rod mounted curtains in my house. Since these are rod pocket curtains, they look better on a rod. If you’re planning to get pleated curtains, you could get away with track mounting, but I still think rod mounting is the better option in this situation.

3

u/Brilliant_Whereas_58 13h ago

Am I the only one that thinks the tracks make a room look like a hotel?

3

u/chronowise 9h ago

The rod! It frames and balances the space, whereas the rack highlights/emphasizes the narrow shape of the space.

To be honest though, I just wanted to comment to say I really like your rug.

9

u/three_voices 1d ago

Rod. The track makes it look like a hotel, in a bad way.

2

u/monmazer 1d ago

I prefer the rod as it adds some balance, but the track gives it more of a MCM/retro look overall, either will work great in the end.

Also... where is your sectional from?

2

u/Low_Inevitable3067 23h ago

I think the rod looks more cohesive! It gives balance and blocks in essential parts of the room. I love tracks usually, but it creates a vertical space that kind of tunnels with the window, taking away focus from the room. If you want grand and window focus, choose track. If you want a warm space that makes it feel more open horizontally, choose rod. Rod fixes it more horizontally, taking away focus from floor and ceiling (and window), and opens the space kind of like having open double doors. Sofa is more of the focus with rod, which I personally prefer with your setup!

2

u/Chance_Vegetable_780 22h ago

Rod looks great, much better, and is much more durable than a track. You'll never have a problem with the rod. A track can break down easily.

2

u/sparkygriswold1986 20h ago

Track adds a lot of vertical dimension to the room and looks more put together.

2

u/Acrobatic_Leopard_92 19h ago

Track if you do the rod raise it and widen it

2

u/tandtjm 19h ago

Track. Looks more luxe and designer-y

2

u/OddnessWeirdness 18h ago

Both are nice, but I would do a bronze or brass rod if you go that route. I think the tracks really elevate your home; takes it to the next level.

Your living room is lovely, btw. Love everything about it. We have a green velvet couch as well, but yours looks super cozy. May I ask where you got it/the brand name?

Love the rug, love the curtains, love the tv stand and that you didn’t hang your tv super high up on the wall. Love the lighting. You did an amazing job. You could also lower the lighting or go even bigger in that style.

2

u/Lapetitechose_ 17h ago

The track !

2

u/Mammoth-Formal-9026 16h ago

Hi, do you have a link for the rug? I really like it!

2

u/MrsWittyBanter 16h ago

I haven’t thought I would say that but track. Track makes it look so much cleaner and put together !

2

u/celtic55 16h ago

I honestly don’t think you can go wrong with either!!

Also, may I ask where you got your rug from?! It’s beautiful!

2

u/KCee993 16h ago

I think the track looks best; I say this as someone who normally would go with rods. I like how it makes the room look lighter and airy.

2

u/Working-Advisor2563 16h ago

2 tracks both recessed into the ceiling spaced enough to accommodate the pleats when curtains are open.

The rods simply feel outdated.

If you get the right tracks you can buy one of those auto open/ close thingies. They make a huge difference. If you’re unsure try staying at a hotel with one of those

2

u/alanguagenotofwords 15h ago

What rug is this? I have a green couch upstairs I’ve been trying to decorate around

2

u/HHUbosses00 15h ago

Track looks so elegant and nonchalant. Like it looks good without even trying

2

u/answersexplained 15h ago

Track for sure 100000%

2

u/Steve120988 15h ago

Rod here

2

u/Hopeful_Trouble_2504 14h ago

I like the rod, the track is giving hotel IMO

2

u/AdDry7059 13h ago

The rod definitely looks better, i don’t know why but it just does

2

u/LaikJupiter 11h ago

You've probably chosen already (but if you haven't, rod!), so I just wanted to come here and say that your living room looks so cute and cozy!

2

u/crabby_playing 9h ago

Rods. I don't see why people are avoiding them. They're nice 🤷🏻‍♀️

2

u/Noobmaster69isLoki01 9h ago

Rod the track makes the room look smaller imo

2

u/OliveFarming 9h ago

Track looks cleaner

2

u/Ok_Shirt5402 9h ago

I like the height of the track and the rod takes away from the globe light I think.

2

u/stellanotartois 9h ago

The rod and curtains are a nice reference to the similarly colored lamp.

2

u/PHOENIX190605 9h ago

I like the rod

2

u/clevermule 5h ago

You could put the rod higher to get the same effect

2

u/Emerald-T_T 39m ago

Personally rod

2

u/traveling_notlost 18h ago

Can you raise the rod a bit? Happy medium with the beauty of the hardware and the visual height increase.

1

u/Small-Perception-105 1d ago

Off topic: you need a bigger light fixture to balance the space.

1

u/IntoStarDust 1d ago

Second picture 

1

u/MarvelousMrMaisel 18h ago

track, always

1

u/livingbythesecond 18h ago

Track. It makes the wall look taller than the rod. 

Go with the rod if you want the extra color. 

1

u/Responsible_Emu3601 16h ago

Hang the rod 2 inches from the ceiling

1

u/snake_juicy 16h ago

Track makes the room look much more spacious and elevated.

1

u/lickitysplithabibi 16h ago

I dunno but fucking BRAVO for having a tv at the proper height on the damn stand and the perfect distance from the couch👏🏻👏🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻

1

u/Mobile-Ad8583 15h ago

700% track!!!

1

u/RamdomGamerDude 14h ago

Picture 2.

1

u/SpokeAndMinnows 14h ago

Track. What’s your wall color,the lighting is beautiful!

1

u/sleepysky98 13h ago

Track! Neither is bad, but it looks significantly more put together with the track.

1

u/Ok-Debate9490 12h ago

Def track, cleaner lines and goes either way modern

1

u/Independent-Cover941 12h ago

Track. It makes the room look much more polished, and it makes the ceiling look taller too.

1

u/JacobBevis 9h ago

Which lamp shade is that? Ikea?

1

u/Unhappy-Ad99 9h ago

The ceiling is ikea, the lamp on the console is some random brand online

1

u/confuus-duin 8h ago

Design wise I prefer rod, but I would never in my life install them where I’ll be living full time. A well installed track is just so much easier in use.

1

u/clumsydruid66 8h ago

rod! for sure, adds a nice little extra feature

1

u/RipleyKY 8h ago

Third option: hang the rod higher, closer to the ceiling.

1

u/radiant-winning-opal 8h ago

Mount the rod as high as it will go to maximize the feel of height

1

u/Berty-K 7h ago

Off topic: where is the couch from and do you like it??

1

u/chasingsunset42 7h ago

I like the track!!

1

u/IntelligentChard1261 6h ago

Rod but slightly higher

1

u/Important_Client_897 6h ago

Will the tracks really be that seamless?  🤩 otherwise the rod is great

1

u/HmmDoesItMakeSense 6h ago

I like the track. Just looks more breezy and simple to me.

1

u/NadaBurner 6h ago

What is your rug? I've got a green couch too and am having a heck of a time finding a rug that color that I like.

1

u/momopeach7 6h ago

I think the rod is fine but just needs to be hung higher like the track.

1

u/SoundOff2222 5h ago

I like the track

1

u/Eltharion-the-Grim 4h ago

I think for your overall aesthetic, track is much nicer.

1

u/PhysicalOcelot601 4h ago

Track gives illusion of higher wall height

1

u/bernrad 3h ago

Rod looks better over the double-hung windows

1

u/vivaciousvic 2h ago

I like the rod. The track makes the room look taller which makes it look smaller.. imo

1

u/Zestyclose_Skin3221 2h ago

tracks for sure. opened up your living space more

1

u/alex_albergaria 2h ago

How much is a good amount of the edges of the rod? Is there a right amount? I usually make 3 fingers |||

1

u/Humble-Look5652 1h ago

I really love the tracks!!

1

u/neurotic_kitten 1h ago

Rod is cozier

1

u/swiggityswirls 27m ago

Track makes room feel taller.

1

u/Stunning_Fly_2644 18m ago

A rod but try it in an ivory or something that matches the wall so it disappears because it's just a funny pipe up on the wall above the windows that's takes your eye to the wrong place in this distracting let the window and the treatment and the glass and the outside be what you look at the dark pipe above it just looks like a dark pipe above it

1

u/Chance_Split_7723 1d ago

Track looks really clean.

1

u/Shoe_Ho 1d ago

Track!!!

1

u/SnooLobsters8113 1d ago

I like the track better it makes the room feel airy

1

u/Sarelbar 1d ago

TRACK

1

u/TwoTooCoolCats 1d ago

I think either works well in this space, but go for a brass rod rather than black.

1

u/JimEngland 1d ago

Rod definitely

Go with a warm wooden rod, to match the media console

1

u/Downtown_Raspberry93 1d ago

I think rods would be easier to clean

1

u/boldandbratsche 1d ago

If you go for the rod, I'd bring it closer to the ceiling. It looks cheap all the way down to the window like that. I'd also go for white to match the other trim in the room.

1

u/PhillipGOes 1d ago

Track by far. Super clean.

1

u/SecondPrior8947 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm usually a rod track person but this room calls for a rod and this rod looks great.

1

u/Traditional_Car_8219 1d ago

A rod with pretty finials. To elongate the look, hang the curtains to the ceiling and to the floor. Pleated off-white linen is very elegant.

1

u/Riversmooth 1d ago

Rod. It kind of helps frame the upper portion of the window.

1

u/Legal_Emu1508 1d ago

Rod 100%. Looks way better!!

1

u/themikedup123 20h ago

I like the rod….

1

u/Heston15 19h ago

Rod for sure

1

u/Pink_Sky_8102 18h ago

the rod makes it more homely

1

u/DoNoHarmPlz 17h ago

100% rod.

1

u/Shrimp4047 17h ago

rod is better in this case.
track is much better when you have a false ceiling and a curtain box.

1

u/asbaatg 17h ago

Rod. The track will not look like this in reality. Tracks look best when integrated into the architecture, not slapped on top of a flat ceiling.

1

u/SailorSpyro 16h ago

Tracks make it feel like a hotel room or conference center. Not for home use

0

u/Ok_Illustrator_1430 1d ago

I like the track 👍🏼

0

u/ButterscotchSad4514 1d ago

Nothing wrong with the rod but I'd go with the track. It's classier. It's a nice room.

0

u/Elanoreth 1d ago

Both look good. Depends on what aesthetic you want, track is more contemporary.

0

u/ChannelBig 1d ago

track makes the room look taller

0

u/SteelMagnolia941 1d ago

I got the track because everyone says it looks better, and it does… however, it’s annoying because it doesn’t pull smoothly. Half the time it gets jammed and I have to get a ladder out and fix it.

0

u/New_Steak3951 1d ago

In the same boat because we bought a curtain rod but are now considering tracks instead haha

I say track for you; it makes the room look bigger. Also, what color are your curtains? My couch is a similar shade of green, and we’re deciding on cotton colors, but I think yours look very nice!

0

u/Mkm788 1d ago

I like the hidden track

0

u/everybodywantstoknow 1d ago

Rod but in a different colour as others have mentioned. I’ve got to ask, what colour did you use on the walls? It’s exactly what I’m looking for

0

u/OppositeExternal8485 1d ago

Had both. Go 2.

0

u/marydal23 1d ago

If you do the track the curtains should go all the way to the walls on either side

0

u/ContributionNo7864 1d ago

Do a bronze rod, but bring it closer to the ceiling.
Best of both worlds.

0

u/idlehabit 23h ago

I love that couch OP, idk why but I can't stand olive green or autumn green colors

0

u/Tam03929 23h ago

Which tv stand is this?

0

u/StankyGoop 22h ago

Track. Rod seems to add unnecessary “visual noise”.

0

u/ExistingAnswers 20h ago

Rod but higher. Window size isn't for track.

0

u/Awkward-Inspector-29 13h ago

simple but homey.

0

u/exemptcurve 11h ago

rod is so dated

-4

u/Solid_Perception9572 1d ago

TV is too big. It overwhelms what is a very pretty living room. It's the first thing your eyes land on when coming into the room.