How to Hang Curtains in 6 Easy Steps

It’s no secret that curtains are essential for a cozy and inviting space. Bringing beauty and functionality to an area, curtains help give you privacy instantly, can help regulate a room’s temperature, and scientifically increase the quality of sleep you get at night. Use this How to Hang Curtains Guide to make sure its done right!

Whether you’ve found the perfect curtain or are just starting to look into window treatments, we’re here to help you learn everything you need to know about how to hang curtains, starting with some necessary first steps.

If you already have a curtain rod, feel free to jump to our tutorial on how to hang your curtain!

Before You Hang: Get a Curtain Rod

Before you hang a curtain, you need to have a curtain rod. However, not all curtain rods are the same, and a quick Google search will show you that there are thousands of different styles and materials available. When considering which type of curtain rod to buy, you want to ask yourself a couple of questions:

1. What type of material do I want my curtain to be made of? If you are looking for a curtain made out of cotton, silk, or linen, you’ll want a rod that is made out of more lightweight material, such as wood or metal. On the other hand, if you are looking for a curtain made of velvet, brocade, or polyester, you will want to go for a heavy-duty rod, such as one made from stainless steel.
2. What style, color, or design do I want in my curtain? With so many different curtain rods available, finding a rod that will exemplify and add a touch to the room’s overall aesthetic is pretty easy. I find more unique curtain rods to be a fun way to add a touch of elegance and detail to the space you are creating. 
3. Are my walls easy to drill holes in, or do I need anchors? This may sound like an odd question, but my husband and I learned how essential this is when living in an old farmhouse. Not every house has the same walls and, for some walls (especially plaster and brick), you will need to use additional anchors to hold up the rod. Knowing this beforehand saves you a whole lot of frustration (and a Wal-mart run)—trust me, I learned the hard way!

Now that you have the rod, it’s time to hang up your curtain!

How to Hang Curtains Step-By-Step

What You Will Need:

• A Tape Measure
• A Pencil
• A Screwdriver (preferably electric)
• A level
• Curtain rod with brackets
• Screws
• Anchor (if needed)
• Curtain

Prep your windows

I always find that putting up window treatments is a great time to get those windows clean. Since you are already bothering to put up a curtain, why not clean your windows and windowsill and dust off the trim? Just consider it a facelift for your window.

Get the measurements for the curtain rod

To measure the width from the window, grab your tape measure and measure about 4-6 inches from the top of the window frame*. This will be where you place your rod. Mark very faintly using the pencil. 

*Note: This number can be adjusted depending on how much space you have between your window and ceiling. Just make sure to leave enough room for the brackets (we wouldn’t recommend anything less than 3 inches above the top of your window frame).

To measure the length that your rod needs to be: Starting at the mark you just placed for the width, measure the entire length of the window in a straight line. Add about five inches at each side, as you will want to give extra space to fill in the window and make sure you have enough of each curtain. Using the level, make sure your line is straight. Mark faintly the beginning, middle, and end of the line. 

Mount the curtain rod

Screw the brackets into the wall, using an anchor if needed, where you lightly marked the left and right measurements. Then, using a level, make sure that each bracket is straight and lined up together. For a step-by-step tutorial, click here. 

Note: If your rod is more than four feet long, we recommend adding one or more brackets in the middle for extra support.

Measure your windows for curtains

Understanding that there is lots of fluidity and creativity in this process, we recommend measuring from the window twelve inches out for the width of your curtains. This gives you plenty of space to fully open your curtains during the daytime and helps your windows look larger. 

Once you write down the width, you will want to decide how long you want your curtains to be. For a more dramatic look or for a space that you want more privacy in, you may want to go with floor-length curtains. 

We typically recommend having at least three to four inches between the end of the curtain and the floor, as we have found that this greatly helps to keep your curtains as dust-free as possible. However, the great part about this process is that no window is the same! So don’t be afraid to have fun and create your own unique window design. 

Find the perfect curtain

Now that you have done the hard part of mounting the rod and measuring your window, it’s time for my favorite part—picking out your curtains. There are so many great places to choose from, but here are some of our favorites:

Best Place For Unique Curtains

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Best Priced Curtains

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Best Designer Brand Curtains

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Hang up your curtain

Your window is ready for the finishing touch. To hang your curtain, simply thread the rod through the curtain. Some curtains come with pre-stitched loops that you simply thread the rod through; other curtains will require you to purchase curtain clips that you attach to the curtain and loop through the rod. 

After attaching the curtain to the rod, carefully place the rod into the brackets. Make sure that the rod is fully secure in the brackets before stepping back and admiring your beautiful new window!

Curtain Maintenance

You’re done hanging the curtain and can’t stop looking at your beautiful new window. While the hard work of picking and putting up the curtain is done, here are a couple of tips and tricks to ensure that your curtain stays clean and beautiful.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this quick tutorial gives you everything you need to get creative and design your own beautiful window arrangements!  And, if you need some ideas for your bathroom, check out our article on cute shower curtains here.