Use these expert tips for how to hang curtains to get the effect you’re after.
Hanging curtains is an opportunity to make your windows a focal point in your space. Once you’ve measured your windows and chosen a rod you love, it’s time to hang it! Deciding where to hang a curtain rod is the first step in the install process. Where you hang your curtains can make a small space feel larger or a large room feel a bit cozier.
We spoke with Etsy’s Home and Living expert, Lindsay O’Brien, for her tips on how to hang curtains and rounded them up here along with some unique curtain rod designs from Etsy sellers.
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In this article:
- How to calculate where to hang curtains
- Unique curtain rods and hardware
- The finishing touches
- Meet the expert
How to calculate where to hang curtains
Where you hang your curtain rod can have a huge effect on just how big your windows look and how tall your ceilings appear. In fact, you can make small windows look larger simply by calculating where to hang your curtain rod. Follow these quick steps to determine where to hang your curtains.
Double check your curtain measurements
Often, the best height to hang a curtain rod will be determined by the length of your curtain panel. To measure for curtains, measure from the floor (where you’d like the curtains to stop) to between 2 and 6 inches above the window frame, depending on where you envision hanging a curtain rod. This will give you the ideal length for your curtains. It’s best to measure your curtains in person once they arrive, to ensure all your measurements are correct.
How high to hang curtains
As you decide how high you’d like to hang your curtain rod, keep the height of your curtain panels in mind. The most common curtain rod height is at least 2 inches above your window trim to avoid light creeping in. Remember that the bracket for your curtain rod may extend lower than the curtain rod.
“Feel free to install a curtain rod higher than the window to draw the eye up and out,” Lindsay says. “It will make your room appear bigger!”
If you have taller ceilings, shop for extra-long curtain panels and play with hanging your curtains higher above the window for a grander feel.
Tip: The best curtain rod height for arched windows is above the highest point of the arch.
How wide to hang curtains
Typically, curtains will be open during the daytime and you’ll want to allow a few extra inches of curtain rod on each side of the window to move the curtains aside.
“When curtains are open, they shouldn’t overlap and take away from the window,” Lindsay advises. “If you hang the curtains so that they just graze the sides of the window, they can actually give the illusion that the window extends beyond and is larger than it is.”
Where to place curtain holdbacks
Now is also the time to decide if you need curtain holdbacks to hold your curtains open. Generally, your curtain holdback will be mounted near the edge of the window and will be hidden when the curtains are closed. As a general rule, place the holdback one-third of the way up from the bottom of the curtain to create a fuller drape above the bracket. Alternatively, you can place the bracket closer to the curtain rod to create a fuller drape below the bracket.
How to hang a long curtain rod
If you have a particularly large window or have a bright, beautiful room with a full wall of windows, you may opt for an extra-long curtain rod. For curtain rods that are longer than 4 feet, add a support bracket in the middle—or every 3 feet or so, if your window pane is wider than 6 feet. Make sure you also use strong mounting hardware when hanging your curtains—especially if you are working with heavyweight curtains!
How to hang curtains without a rod
Hanging curtains without a rod avoids drilling holes into a wall or hunting for a power tool. Curtains can be hung from adhesive hooks placed above the window frame. Look for curtains with grommets or loops and hang each grommet from a hook. You can also use a tension rod to hang curtains without drilling.
Unique curtain rods and hardware
Curtain rods are no longer just a support system for your drapes, they’re a design feature that can bring your home decor style to life.
“Window hardware is a nice opportunity to bring in different materials—metals, woods, leather, and can also serve as a decorative element that matches your style,” Lindsay says. On Etsy, there’s a wide variety of unique curtain rods and hardware, from wooden curtain rods to ornate vintage brass curtain rods to leather curtain brackets.
Types of curtain rods
As you choose a curtain rod, here’s how to hang each type of curtain rod and how it looks:
- Single rods: Often the first image that pops into your head when you think “curtain rod,” this is a rod that is normally hung by a pair of brackets, and best used when you only have one layer of curtains to hang.
- Double rods: Best for those who have two layers of curtains—one blackout curtain layer and one that is more decorative—double rod curtains don’t require an additional bracket, but rather a bracket that has space for each rod.
- Cafe curtain rods: For cafe curtains that only cover the lower part of your window, you can choose a traditional bracket curtain rod or a tension rod, but they are usually a bit slimmer and are hung as wide as your window sash. (Hint: That’s the part of the window frame that moves when you open and close it!)
- Tension rods: A renter-friendly curtain rod option that requires no drilling or special tools, tension rods are hung in the interior of your window frame.
- Traverse rods: These are curtain rods outfitted with a track, and you easily draw your curtains through a string attached to a pulley system rather than pulling the curtain drapes themselves.
The finishing touches
Curtains are an easy way to add color and personality to a room—but there’s one aspect of curtain hanging that you may be overlooking. Lindsay gives us an insider’s tip for hanging curtains: “Consider hardware just as much as the curtains themselves.”
When it comes to hanging curtains, it’s all in the details. Curtain rods, tiebacks, and other accessories are another opportunity to bring your personal aesthetic into your window treatments. Consider some of these decorative elements as you finish hanging your curtains.
- Tiebacks: These are soft, fabric loops that are tied around the curtain to keep your curtains open and have an aesthetic draping effect. We recommend installing these halfway between the floor and the ceiling for a vibrantly voluminous look.
- Holdbacks: Like tiebacks, holdbacks are typically installed half way up the wall, but they require fixed hardware.
- Finials: These are the embellishing knobs at the end of your curtain rods. On Etsy, you can choose anything from modern lucite finials to old-world-inspired brass adornments to vintage art deco finials to everything in between.
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Meet the expert
Lindsay O’Brien, Senior Category Manager for Home and Living
In her role, Lindsay curates the best of Etsy’s Home & Living category, providing expert shopping tips and inspiration to help buyers discover the perfect home decor, art, and furniture for their spaces. In her downtime, she enjoys exploring new places, making things (all of the things!), photography, writing, collecting seashells, and getting out into nature.
