A Fast Approach To Dangle Curtain Rods

We simply put in roughly a million curtain rods at our duplex (okay, really simply 16 of them) so we wished to share a easy trick we used to hurry up set up, whereas nonetheless preserving all the pieces wanting degree and equally spaced. This could take a number of the headache out of hanging new curtains, particularly for those who’re doing a couple of window in your room. Plus, the trick is completely free!

For this set up, we’re utilizing inexpensive curtain rods like these you could get at most massive field shops and these ring clips. We are also hanging easy $14 white Ikea curtain panels utilizing this trick for making Ikea curtains look costly. Collectively, the following tips saved us a whole lot of {dollars} throughout the entire home!

Earlier than we discuss HOW to put in your curtain rods, let’s discuss precisely WHERE to place them. Right here’s some fast curtain fundamentals:

How HIGH Ought to You Dangle Curtain Rods?

There’s no agency rule for this, however most individuals agree that curtains look greatest after they’re hung (say it with me!) HIGH AND WIDE. As in, larger and wider than the window itself. This not solely creates the phantasm of an even bigger, grander window, nevertheless it additionally makes your room really feel taller and attracts the attention up. The beneath has 9ft ceilings, and you may see how good it’s for the window trim to get to breathe a bit, and for the attention to observe the curtains from ground to almost-ceiling.

Talking of the ground, most consultants say that your curtains ought to normally contact or almost contact the ground itself. Some like them to hover barely above the bottom, others love a dramatic pool of cloth on the backside. We usually like them to graze the ground ever so barely – like beneath in our showhouse’s eating room. We discover this helps maintain them in place higher.

The exact placement of your rod will depend on a number of elements (ceiling top, curtain size, trim & molding fashion, and many others) so I can’t offer you a tough and quick measurement for the place your rod ought to at all times go… however usually, we like to hold ours about 3-4″ beneath the ceiling or, if there’s crown molding, 3-4″ beneath the backside fringe of the crown. This permits the curtain rod to “reside” totally (together with finials) inside the painted space between the window and the ceiling.

However the vital factor to notice is that we’re hanging them in relation to the ceiling, NOT the window. It’s the belief that your curtains must relate to the window that causes lots of people to hold their curtains too low.

That being mentioned, generally the window trim is de facto near the crown or ceiling and it’s possible you’ll not have 3-4″ inches of house to work with, like you’ll be able to see within the picture beneath.

Additionally, any tremendous tall rooms or areas with sloped ceilings are particular instances the place you’ll should make a judgment name and it’s possible you’ll not be capable to decide your curtain rod top in relation to the ceiling.

Finally, our favourite solution to verify the proper curtain top is to carry half of the rod up and have another person step again to double-check that it seems to be good. You are able to do this with only one curtain panel connected (after you’ve washed, ironed, and carried out no matter else would possibly change the peak of your panel – aside from hemming, that ought to occur as soon as they’re hung so you will get the proper size).

How WIDE Ought to You Dangle Curtains?

This additionally will depend on a number of elements, just like the window measurement, what else is on the wall (particularly if there are OTHER home windows close by), and the way tight or unfastened you need your panels to look. Usually, we like to put the rod hooks about 8-11″ from the outer fringe of the window trim.

By barely overlaying the perimeters of the home windows you create the phantasm that the home windows are wider than they are surely. In different phrases: THE CURTAIN PANELS ARE HANGING IN FRONT OF THE WALL NEXT TO THE WINDOW – NOT IN FRONT OF THE WINDOW (which makes it look smaller and blocks mild). Sorry for shouting, nevertheless it makes such an loopy good distinction.

If the 2 home windows are nearer collectively (like in our bed room beneath) you will have to cheat your rod nearer than that 8-11″ distance from the window trim. Conversely, we would grasp the curtains even wider if we’re making an attempt to fill a big wall house.

You may even grasp the rod wider on one facet than the opposite if we’re making an attempt to make a window look much less off-center (extra on that right here – it will possibly make all of the distinction!). So it truly is versatile.

Our Straightforward Curtain Hanging Trick (On Video)

Figuring out the width (your required distance from the window trim) and top (your required distance from the ceiling) is what makes this straightforward trick doable. John demonstrates all of it on this video beneath (additionally look ahead to my tremendous cool footwear cameo). There are extra pictures after the video, however I’d strongly suggest coming again to view it when you’ll be able to.

NOTE: It’s also possible to watch it right here on YouTube.

Instruments & Supplies Wanted

Aside out of your curtain rod and the included hanging {hardware} (brackets, screws, wall anchors), there are only a few objects you’ll want to hold it rapidly:

• Energy drill
• Small drill bit (like 3/32″) to make pilot holes
• Bigger drill bit (like 3/16″) to make wall anchor gap
• Tape measure or ruler
• Pen or pencil
• Scrap cardboard sheet (just like the one which got here together with your curtain panels)
• Stool or stepladder

Learn how to Dangle Curtain Rods

Right here’s a fast overview of the steps we’ll cowl:

1. Decide measurements
2. Make a cardboard template
3. Drill pilot holes
4. Drill bigger holes & add anchors
5. Set up curtain brackets
6. Add rod & curtain panels

Step 1: Decide Your Measurements

We held up one curtain panel on the rod to finalize what spot appeared greatest after which held the curtain rod bracket in place to take measurements. Utilizing a tape measure, we decided that we wished to put our curtain rods 10.5″ from the skin of the window body (weirdly particular, I do know) and three″ down from the ceiling. These are our measurements to the highest screw gap within the rod bracket since we discover it best to work with the measurements of the place you’ll really must drill.

Step 2: Make A Cardboard Template

We used a scrap piece of cardboard to make our template – marking 10.5″ from either side (see white arrows) and three″ down from the highest (yellow space). This was really the cardboard that got here within the curtain package deal, so that you might need one thing prefer it readily available already! As soon as we marked our traces, we lined up the curtain rod hook and marked the 2 screw holes on BOTH 10.5″ marks.

Step 3. Drill Pilot Holes

Load up your energy drill with a small pilot gap bit (we used a 3/32″ bit) and maintain your template above your window with the prime edge flush to the ceiling and the facet edge lined up with the skin fringe of the window body. Then you’ll be able to simply drill small pilot holes by means of your two template marks.

A be aware about preserving issues degree: CEILINGS AREN’T ALWAYS LEVEL (I’m taking a look at you, duplex) so utilizing the ceiling as your information may appear ill-advised.

Fast Tip: Dealing With Sloped Ceilings

Obtained sloped ceilings? Don’t panic! While you’re hanging the rod near your ceiling, you really need the rod to observe any slope within the ceiling! Will probably be your eyes’ closest reference level for a straight line, so it can probably seem degree even when it isn’t. That’s why a degree isn’t required for this course of.

In reality, placing a wonderfully degree curtain rod subsequent to a sloped ceiling may really make the rod look fallacious. Or emphasize that the ceiling is fallacious. So yeah, utilizing the ceiling as your information really works effectively for wonky ceilings (once more, the duplex has loads of these).

Step 4. Drill Bigger Holes & Add Anchors

When you’ve made pilot holes on the opposite facet of the window utilizing the opposite half of your template (that is why you marked 10.5″ from BOTH sides of the cardboard) you’ll be able to proceed. In the event you hit any studs, skip to the following step. In any other case, you’ll want so as to add anchors, that are usually offered together with your curtain rod

Swap out your drill bit for the right measurement that works together with your anchors (ours wanted a 3/16″ drill bit) and drill into every premade pilot gap to make bigger holes on your anchors. Bonus – the template acts as a good way to catch drywall mud!

With all your anchor-ready holes drilled, gently faucet in your anchors in with a hammer or mallet. In the event you’re in a position to push your anchors into the wall by hand, you’re making your holes too giant! Swap to a smaller bit or maintain your drill steadier as you drill. Free anchors could cause your rod to sag or fall out of the wall over time.

Step 5. Set up Your Curtain Brackets

The remainder is fairly simple – hammer in your anchors and safe your curtain rod hooks to the wall utilizing the offered screws. We do all of this in real-time within the video above if you wish to see precisely how fast this entire issues goes.

Step 6. Add Your Rod & Curtain Panels

With each brackets secured to the wall, you’ll be able to grasp your rod together with your curtain panel already connected. Now you’re carried out… until your panels require any hemming. Or you would simply conceal the bottoms behind a mattress like we did beneath. Ha!

Bonus Tip: Appropriate Any Rod Sagging

Relying in your rod and the way huge it’s, it’s possible you’ll discover that it seems to sag a bit bit within the center – particularly the place the smaller rod piece connects into the bigger ones. Your package deal could include a 3rd, heart bracket to hold within the heart of your window, however usually a 3rd brack can be overkill for any window that’s not tremendous huge – so we depend on this bizarre little hack as a substitute. Emphasis on WEIRD.

First, I take a few of the protecting plastic finish caps that come on the curtain rods (they’re simply packaging) and use a utility knife or scissors to chop off some small slices.

Then we tuck a bit contained in the curtain rod at no matter connection level is sagging. It’s vital that you simply put it on the TOP facet of the rod and for those who can’t slide all of it the way in which in, simply rotate your rod barely so it’s hidden from view as a result of nobody is viewing your rod from the highest.

I do know it’s REALLY bizarre, nevertheless it has been a simple means for us to right a bit little bit of rod sag which makes my coronary heart very glad. Simply belief me – there’s a noticeable distinction and it not seems to be prefer it’s unhappy and droopy. Plus it’s free and I’m scrappy. So yeah. 5 stars, would suggest.

Extra Curtain Hanging Recommendation

And once more, you’ll be able to try our ideas for hanging cheap white curtains and making them dearer alongside the way in which.

If all of this nonetheless looks as if an excessive amount of hassle – you can get away with no curtains in your room too. We wrote a information for when curtains don’t belong in a room and what you are able to do to your home windows as a substitute. Spoiler: some rooms shouldn’t have window therapies in any respect!

P.S. Wanna know the place we obtained one thing in our home (or what colour’s on the partitions)? Click on right here. And we made the identical masterlist of sources & paint colours for the seashore home too for ya. And we’re pulling collectively a supply lis for the duplex – it’s not very thorough but, however a number of the stuff we have now there is on this web page for ya – and there’s extra to return.

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