Curtains are a great way to add style and privacy to your home. But if you’ve never hung curtains before like me, the process can seem a bit daunting. Therefore I asked a trusted source (the internet and my grandma) and here’s what I found:
First, you’ll need to measure the length and height of your window to determine how much fabric you’ll need and how high to hang the rods. Then, You’ll drill holes at the top left and right of the window to mount curtain brackets. Finally, thread the curtain through the rod and hang your curtains!
Hanging curtains is not as simple as just putting up a rod and throwing some fabric over it.
Many steps are involved, from measuring the window to choosing suitable curtains, and installing the hardware. But don’t worry, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to hang curtains like a pro.
Preparations
Before you purchase your curtains and the curtain rod, you’ll need to take some measurements. Begin by measuring the width of your window. The width of your window plus a few inches is how long the curtain rod should be.
Then, measure the distance a few inches from the top of your window down to where you’d like your curtains to hang. These are the measurements you’ll need for the curtain to hang on the wall.
With these measurements in hand, you’ll be ready to shop for curtains!
What You’ll Need To Hang Curtains
Aside from the curtains themselves, you’ll need a few tools and pieces of hardware to hang them. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need:
- A measuring tape
- Curtain brackets.
- A stepladder or stool
- Curtain rods.
- Curtain rings or Curtain hooks
- Screws.
- Drywall Anchors (optional)
- A drill or screwdriver
- Level
With this basic list of supplies, you should be able to hang most types of curtains. Let’s quickly go over each of the tools described in the list above and their usage.
You’ll need the measuring tape to measure the length and height of the window as well as the dimensions of your curtain.
If your window is a bit higher, you’ll need to use a stool or a ladder to make sure you reach the top with tiptoeing.
If you can find a stud on top of your window (where you’ll be mounting the curtain brackets), then you can use screws, else if you can’t find a stud, you’ll need to use a drywall anchor. The reason is that drywall, on its own, is hollow and can’t support much weight. We use drywall anchors to hang stuff when we can’t find a stud on a wall location.
The Process
- Start by measuring the length of your curtain rod and mark the center point on top of the window.
- Then, using a level, mark the points on the left and right corners wall where you’ll need to put your brackets according to the measurements you found earlier.
- Next, You’ll need to find whether there’s a stud behind the marked corners on top of the window. If there is a stud, you can use drill screws into the marked spots and if not, you’ll use drywall anchors.
- Next, hold the curtain brackets on top of the drilled holes and insert screws to hold them in place.
- Now hang the curtain rod on top of the curtain brackets and using a level, ensure that the rod is straight.
- Once you’re done with all the previous steps, it’s time to drape the curtain over the curtain rod, and you are done!
Other Ways Of Hanging Curtains
Here are a few other ways you can hang curtains on your wall:
Use adhesive hooks or strips.
Adhesive hooks or strips are an easy way to hang curtains without putting any holes in your walls. Just make sure that the surface you’re attaching them to is clean and dry, and that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
Use removable wall hooks
Removable wall hooks are an easy and damage-free way to hang curtains on your wall.
To use them, simply peel off the backing and stick the hook to your desired location on the wall. Then, take your curtain rod and thread it through the hooks. Voila!
When you’re ready to remove the hooks, just pry them off with your fingers or a flathead screwdriver.
The hooks won’t leave any residue behind and will be good as new for next time. You can also buy hooks that come in different sizes so that they fit perfectly in all types of spaces.
Use Tension Rod
Installing a tension rod is an easy way to hang curtains without having to drill holes in your wall.
Plus, it’s a great option if you’re renting and can’t make any permanent changes to your space. Here’s how to do it:
Drape the curtain over the tension rod.
The tension rod works by holding the rod in place in the window through tension. You will then stretch the rod to both sides of the window and use it as a bar for hanging your curtains.
You will need to measure correctly before buying a tension rod because most rods are only able to fit in standard-sized windows, meaning that they may not be appropriate for large or oddly shaped windows.
If you are able to install this type of curtain hanger yourself there is no need for drilling into your walls or ceilings; all you have to do is insert the rod into the top frame of your window frame.
FAQs
Below are some other common questions you may have regarding hanging curtains.
What is the proper height to hang curtains?
A general rule is to hang the curtains 5 to 6 six inches above the top of your window. There are a few other things to consider when deciding how high to hang your curtains as well.
The most important factor is the height of your window. If you have a tall window, you’ll want to hang your curtains higher up on the wall so they don’t block any natural light.
Another thing to keep in mind is the length of your curtains. If you have long curtains, hanging them closer to the ceiling will create a more dramatic look.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure there’s enough clearance between the bottom of your curtains and the floor so they don’t drag when you open and close them.
How far should the curtain rod extend past the window?
Your curtain rod should extend around 8-10 inches from the window on both ends. This will make your window appear larger and more beautiful when the curtains are closed.
Do curtains have to touch the floor?
There is no hard rule about curtains touching the floor. They look beautiful if they touch the floor but some people might not like it and might find them appealing a few inches off the ground.
What to do when the window is at the top of the wall?
You can use pushpins or adhesives to hang curtains in such cases. Another option would be to hang the curtain from the roof by installing the brackets on the roof’s surface.
Can you hang curtains without a rod?
Yes, you can absolutely hang curtains without a rod! There are several different ways to do this, depending on the look you’re going for and the type of wall you have. Here are a few ideas for how to hang curtains without a rod:
- Use tape or sticky hooks: Just place them in strategic places on your wall where they’ll get full support from the back of your furniture. Use pieces of tape or adhesive hooks to secure them in place. Make sure you don’t put anything too heavy near these items if using sticky hooks because they could come off more easily than other methods.
- Hang with push pins: A great way to decorate is by using push pins so that it’s not permanent but also don’t make holes in your walls like when using nails. Place push pins strategically at equal intervals along your window frame before hanging up your curtain panels behind them.
Conclusion
We went over a detailed guide on hanging a curtain using a rod as well as other options of hanging the curtain. To sum things up, there are a few things to keep in mind when hanging curtains on a wall.
First, decide how high you want the curtains to hang.
Second, measure the width of the window and add a few inches to get the length of the fabric. Third, mark where you’ll put the hooks or rings on the wall.
Fourth, thread the curtain rod through the hooks or rings.
Fifth, put up the brackets and screw them into the wall. Sixth, hang the curtains on the rod and adjust them to your desired height. Finally, enjoy your new curtains!
Also, check out “hanging shoeboxes on a wall“, “how to mount a TV on a wall“, and “modern wall art ideas.” Check out infotakeaway for more similar content.