DIY home decor is a fun activity for the whole family. But you may not always get the best results if you take on the task without having at least some knowledge about what you are doing. The same goes for curtain hanging.
While you might not need in-depth knowledge to do curtain hanging, knowing what you are doing will give you good results in both quality and appearance. To discover more about curtain-hanging techniques, keep reading.
Before Starting your Curtain Hanging Project, Consider These Simple Suggestions
Before we go any further, let’s look at some things you need to keep in mind before starting your curtain-hanging project:
- Know your style and plan your curtains’ look accordingly. Go subtle if you want the focus to be on the other decor in the room, and go bold if you want the curtains to be the focus.
- Hang your curtains close to the ceiling to make your windows look larger than they are. Curtains hung at ceiling height also make the ceiling look taller.
- Always consider the entire width of your curtains, even if you don’t intend to close them completely. Curtains that cannot cover the entire width of your window will look disproportionate and “skinny”. Even a little extra width on your curtains will make them feel more luxurious.
- Make your curtains 10 to 12 inches wider than your window if you have enough space. It will make your window completely visible with the curtains drawn.
Unless you purposely want to block light, the window treatment you choose will not significantly decrease the amount of light that the window lets into the room, says Wendy Baker (author of the book Easy to Make! Curtains and Blinds).
Also, if you want to know how to wash curtains at home, how often to wash them, how to clean them while they are hanging, and how to clean curtains without washing, here are some curtain care tips to make your curtains last longer.
DIY Curtain Hanging Methods
Now, let’s look at some curtain-hanging techniques you need to know before you start your curtain project:
- Putting Up a Curtain Rod or Pole
- Using Architrave Brackets
- Curtain Hanging in the Window Recess
- Using a Curtain Track
Besides, you can make no-sew curtains, which are quick and simple to make and are perfect for people who are incapable of sewing!
01. Putting Up a Curtain Rod or Pole
Using a curtain pole is one of the most common curtain-hanging techniques. Generally, the brackets fixed to the wall above or on the window frame support the rods. You can pull the curtain off the window by extending the length of the pole if there is room on either side of the window frame.
According to Martha L. Hensley & Bess V. Morrison (authors of the book Window Curtains, Making and Hanging), a wise investment is strong curtain hardware. The primary function of curtain hardware is to simply adjust the curtain to the window. High-quality rods or pole fixtures will last longer for many pairs of curtains and provide lasting satisfaction.
One of the most common ways of attaching curtains to the rods is through curtain rings. When using two curtains on the same pole, you need to place one curtain ring beyond the bracket on each side to hold the ends of the curtains in place. If you hang only one curtain on a pole, you can place a ring beyond the bracket on only one side.
There are different types of curtains based on the material, so choosing the right curtain material for your home is very important. Curtain rods come in many styles and thicknesses and can be cut to any length based on the window size.
Steps for Hanging a Curtain on a Pole
While most poles come with the manufacturer’s instructions, here is a general guide to the curtain-hanging method and how to set up curtain rods based on your situation.
- Mark the position of your rod once you have placed it in the desired spot above the window. Ideally, the curtain rod height above the window should be 4 to 6 inches, or 10 to 15 cm, between the rod and the window frame.
- Position the brackets on the wall on either side of the window and mark the place. Ensure that the markings are aligned. Place the brackets around 4 inches or 10 cm from the molding.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and attach a bracket to the wall. In the case of wooden brackets, fix a metal wall plate to the wall before fixing the bracket.
- Place the rod on the fixed bracket and ensure that it is straight. Then, you can attach the remaining one to the wall.
- Place the curtain rings on the pole and leave two end rings off. Tighten the screws of the brackets into the rod to fix it in place.
- Place the end rings on either side of the rod beyond the bracket, and place the finials afterward. This way, the rings will come between the finial and the bracket. However, it may seem like an easy task, but choosing the right curtain finials for your window coverings is one of the tiny aspects that matter when hanging window curtains on a pole. Now, you are ready to hang your curtains on the rod.
Curtain rods are a fun way to add dimension to your window, as you can layer curtains. By this, we mean that you can use up to three layers of curtains with rods by fixing the respective number of poles with their brackets. For more information about the stunning ways to hang curtains on a pole or curtain rod, click here.
02. Using Architrave Brackets
Ideally, you can place curtain rods above or on the sides of your window frame. If you don’t have enough room between your window frame and the ceiling, molding, or sides, you can use architrave brackets instead of the regular ones. They are used when the wall is too weak and crumbly, and installing curtain rod brackets becomes too risky. With the help of the architrave brackets, you can decorate your house with various types of curtains and drapes.
Steps for Fixing Architrave Brackets
Architrave brackets are thin enough to fit right on your window frame. They are made of brass or other metals. The steps for hanging a curtain with these brackets are simple. All you must do is:
- Position the bracket on the frame.
- Mark the holes for the screws and make sure they are aligned.
- Drill holes at the marked spots.
- Fix the brackets to the frame with the screws, and place the curtain rod onto the bracket.
- Use the screws at the front of the bracket to keep the pole in place.
03. Curtain Hanging in the Window Recess
If you want to put up your curtain in a window recess, you can use special brackets called thimbles. You can fit a slim pole in a window recess using these brackets. They enclose each end of the curtain rod. You can hide them using a rod-pocket style to attach your curtain to the pole. Window treatments are another important aspect that can either make or break a space, so choosing the right window treatments for your home is a must.
This curtain-hanging method comes with some restrictions. If you want the curtain to cover the window but don’t have enough space on the side or above the window frame, you can attach other special brackets to a side wall when there is no room to attach it to the wall the window is on.
Steps for Installing Curtains in a Window Recess
Here are the steps for hanging curtains and how you can fix these brackets to support your curtain:
- Place the brackets where you want to fix them on the sides of the recess and mark the position. The distance between the bracket and the rod will depend on the amount of fabric above the pocket.
- Drill the holes at the marked spots and fix the brackets.
- Measure the distance between the two brackets and mark ¼ inch or 3 mm less than this distance. Cut the pole and place the rod into the brackets. Tighten the sleeve to keep the rod in place.
If you have a large curtain rod fixed to an adjacent wall on one end, you can use a recessed holder to secure the rod.
These brackets are great when one side of your window has a side wall just next to it and the other side doesn’t. In this case, you can use one special bracket and one regular bracket with a finial.
This curtain-hanging technique will also work well in the shower. The special brackets give you a neat and fitting look and are meant for lightweight curtains. Also, check out this DIY for Roman-style curtain decoration.
04. Using a Curtain Track
The simplest curtain-hanging method is using curtain tracks. Curtain tracks come in different varieties and have gliders for hooks. You can fix some tracks to the wall above the window frame, the window itself, and the ceiling. The simplest curtain track is the one that needs small brackets at intervals on the wall.
You can fit a track on the wall by yourself, but you will need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. However, it would be best to call a professional for help bending a track around a curved or bay window.
While tracks (especially ceiling tracks) are not suitable for heavy curtain fabrics, modern interiors, minimalistic designs, and farmhouse styles prefer this curtain-hanging method. Also, curtains and drapes have become the most stylish window treatments. To discover more about this, read our article below.
Summing up,
We hope this article has given you some information about curtain-hanging techniques. Remember to plan your work before you attempt anything. Get some input from your family and make this an activity everyone can enjoy.
When it comes to window treatments, there are other options besides curtains. Window treatments such as curtains, drapes, window blinds, and window shades come in a variety of styles and methods of design. Check out the articles below to learn more about the differences.
Window Curtains vs. Blinds vs. Shades: Make the Correct Choice
Window Blinds vs. Curtains: Choose the Right Window Treatment
Image Courtesy: Image 5, Image 6
Author Bio
Andrea Noronha – Andrea Noronha is a content writer and editor with over 4 years of experience. Although she comes from a finance background, Andrea is passionate about blogging about interior design. Her other interests include travelling, baking, and digital marketing.