How you can Dangle Curtains the Proper Manner, In response to a Professional

When correctly hung, the suitable material will make an inside really feel full — not solely do they supply privateness and regulate daylight, however they create the phantasm of a bigger house and add a dose of texture. Discovering the right dimension curtains and hanging your curtain rod on the acceptable top is essential for each aesthetics and performance. “If the peak of drapes shouldn’t be maximized, it may possibly make a room look shorter than it really is — creating a sense of compression in a room,” says Ashley Macuga, principal designer of Collected Interiors.

We perceive there’s so much that goes into hanging curtains, from measuring your window to putting in curtain rod brackets into drywall. That’s why we’ve written this easy-to-follow information, damaged up into two components: How you can measure for curtains and how you can cling curtains. We tapped into designer Ashley Macuga for her skilled recommendation, so you’ll be able to cling curtains similar to a professional.

What You’ll Want

How you can Measure for Curtains

✔️ Calculate the width of your window. Your curtain rod ought to lengthen previous the window on each side by not less than 8 to 10 inches. To create the looks of a bigger window, your rod ought to be a complete of 16 to twenty inches longer than your window.

✔️ Contemplate the scale of your material stack, which refers back to the quantity of house the curtains take up when they’re totally opened and pushed to the perimeters, says Macuga. “Personally, I prefer to have a curtain stack on both sides that’s not less than half the scale of the window for a extra elegant and full look when the curtains are drawn.”

african man measuring window

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✔️ Calculate the peak of your window. To make a room really feel taller and extra grand, cling your curtain rod a couple of inches (about 4 to six) above your window. “The most typical mistake is hanging curtains too low,” says Macuga.

✔️ Measure from the highest of your window body to the ground. This measurement will decide how lengthy your curtains ought to be — and don’t neglect so as to add a couple of inches, since your curtain rod will likely be hung above the window. Curtains ought to nearly attain the ground. “We purpose for 1/4″ if there are not any pets within the dwelling, and 1/2″ if there’s a threat that pet hair would possibly accumulate and cling to the underside,” says Macuga.

Designer recommendation: When unsure, dimension up. In case you’re anxious about puddling on the bottom, hem the curtains or convey them to your native seamstress.

how to hang curtains

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How you can Dangle Curtains

When you’ve bought the suitable dimension curtain rod and material, it’s time to interrupt out the drill. Whereas some folks might favor to rent a handyman or a TaskRabbit, it’s easy sufficient to do it your self. Comply with these step-by-step directions to hold curtains with ease.

  1. Use a pencil to mark drill holes to your bracket. When you’ve decided how excessive and broad to hold the curtain rod bracket, mark the wall with a pencil. Use a stage to make sure your markings on both sides are even.
  2. Screw within the brackets for the curtain rod. Material is heavy, which implies you’ll in all probability want wall anchors until you’re capable of find studs on the wall. (Tip: Use a stud finder to find out in the event you’ll want wall anchors.) First, drill information holes then fasten the brackets to the wall utilizing a drill or screwdriver.
  3. Dangle the curtains. After you thread the curtains onto the rod, cling the rod within the brackets. Use a stage to make sure the curtains are hung evenly. Then, open and shut the curtains to make sure they’re working correctly.

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Fast tip: Earlier than placing your drapes onto the curtain rod, take a look at that your brackets are sturdy sufficient to help the rod alone and that it seems even.

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    Affiliate Life-style Editor

    Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the affiliate life-style editor for Good Housekeeping, the place she covers all issues dwelling and inside design. Previous to becoming a member of GH in 2022, she wrote for publications together with ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Distinctive Houses Journal and LODGING Journal, along with crafting product copy for dwelling manufacturers like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.