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How to Hang Curtains
Curtains are a home decorating essential, but they’re also one of the most versatile ways to elevate your aesthetic. They can instantly change the mood of a room, from welcoming in the light of a sunny early morning or giving you privacy and coziness at the end of a long day.
Although hanging curtains typically requires just a few tools, it’s a good idea to take a few minutes to plan out the project. Think about details like how high to hang curtains and what supplies you’ll need. That can help ensure your curtain installation goes off without a hitch and you can enjoy the new look you’ve created in the room. Find out how to hang curtains perfectly in this guide.
Before You Start
Assess what you’re looking for in curtains before you choose the pattern, fabric, and design. Ask yourself a few practical questions:
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Are the curtains decorative or functional?
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Should the curtains allow in light?
•
Are the curtains for a few small accent windows, or large doors that are the focal point of the room?
•
What are the best accent colors for the room?
•
Do you want a pattern in the curtain or a solid color?
Before You Start
Assess what you’re looking for in curtains before you choose the pattern, fabric, and design. Ask yourself a few practical questions:
•
Are the curtains decorative or functional?
•
Should the curtains allow in light?
•
Are the curtains for a few small accent windows, or large doors that are the focal point of the room?
•
What are the best accent colors for the room?
•
Do you want a pattern in the curtain or a solid color?
Before You Start
Assess what you’re looking for in curtains before you choose the pattern, fabric, and design. Ask yourself a few practical questions:
•
Are the curtains decorative or functional?
•
Should the curtains allow in light?
•
Are the curtains for a few small accent windows, or large doors that are the focal point of the room?
•
What are the best accent colors for the room?
•
Do you want a pattern in the curtain or a solid color?
Answers to these can help you to start looking for the right style of curtain — well in advance of hanging them.
What Size Curtains Should You Choose?
Curtain sizing is often overlooked in DIY projects. The length and width of the fabric, however, can directly impact the look and functionality of the curtains. Start by measuring the size of your window and carefully assessing the wall around it in order to get the right curtain dimensions.
Width
The width of your curtain should be about two to three times the width of your window. This is to ensure the panels completely cover the window when you want darkness or privacy. The additional fabric means you have room to play with the curtains when they are open, whether you want to bunch the panels together on either side, gather each midway with a decorative tie, or otherwise move them to form an attractive placement.
Another rule of thumb is to have enough curtain panel for about a foot of fabric on either side so the rod and curtains draw attention to the window without blocking light.
Length
Unless your curtains are intended to simply fit the frame of the window, like thin kitchen curtains that are largely decorative, be careful not to make the curtains too short. Place your curtain rod above the window and measure to the floor in order to determine the length. As much as too-short curtains can make a window look awkward or small, too-long curtains can also look messy. Allow an inch or two clearance between the bottom of the curtain and the floor or carpet.
Of course, if you’re not worried about gathering a little dust — especially if you have an easy-to-sweep wood floor or laminate — the “puddling” effect of curtains that go right to the floor might be just the look you want.
Curtain Rod Size & Placement
In general, you want your curtains to hang high. This makes the window appear bigger and helps you get the maximum effect from your current pattern or color. The curtain rod should rest closer to the ceiling than to the top of the window. A good rule of thumb is about four to six inches over the top of the window.
You can also hang your curtains from the ceiling, however. Look for ceiling rod brackets instead of wall mount brackets, and simply screw or drill them into the ceiling instead of the wall around your windows.
Step 1: Mark the Height & Width of the Curtain Brackets
In this step, your pencil and measuring tape are your best friends. Mark the location of each curtain rod bracket with a pencil so it’s about four to six inches above the window and about six inches wider than either side. Don’t forget to deduct whatever length you lose from the rod’s brackets and screws when you’re assessing dimensions.
Your pencil marks tell you where to drill in your brackets. If you’re not a fan of the pencil and tape measure method, you can create a custom t-square, six inches high and six inches wide, to place on the upper corner of the window to find the bracket location.
Step 2: Install curtain brackets
Using your marks as guidelines, use a manual or drill screwdriver to attach the curtain brackets to the wall. You might also install wall anchors if you have particularly heavy curtains. Use a construction level to ensure the brackets are placed at an even height. If the rod is separate from the brackets, lay it across them.
Step 3: Hang the curtains
Place the curtain panels on the rod, either using curtain hooks or by threading the curtain panels through the rod. If your curtain rod has a center bracket, hang one panel on either side. Double check your curtain placement to ensure they move easily across the rod and do not get caught.
Helpful Design Tips
Depending on your aesthetic, you can go bold or soft with your curtains. Here are some tips to bring the look you want to the room:
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Choose to layer a thin curtain behind a thicker curtain if you want to alternate between a blackout and letting in some light without compromising on privacy.
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Adopt a color or pattern that balances nicely with the rest of the room, whether you want the curtains to be the centerpiece or a muted accent that draws little attention.
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Use heavier fabrics like velvet to maintain warmth and formality in cooler rooms and lighter fabrics like linen for a more casual look in warmer rooms.
Curtains are the perfect mix of functionality and design. They give you the opportunity to change the mood of a room with unique fabrics and patterns. Take a few minutes to plan out your steps, including how high to hang curtains, and gather your necessary materials. Then you’ll get it right the first time and enjoy your new curtains faster.