How to Hang Curtains – A Step-by-Step Guide

I never really gave too much thought to hanging curtains, to be perfectly honest. But I started noticing a few trends as I visited various blogs and pins. So when Matt Zajechowski from Digital Third Coast Internet Marketing contacted me regarding a guest post on hanging curtains, I couldn’t wait to read it! And when he shared this graphic with me, I got even more excited!

(You can view the full-size info graphic HERE!)

Here’s what Matt wanted to share with us:

The right window treatment can add a touch of elegance, brighten up a room, or complement an existing color scheme. From a practical standpoint, curtains can also be used to let in or block out light, keep in heat, and provide privacy. Every window needs some kind of curtain, but the type you choose will depend on your personal taste and what you want the curtains to accomplish. But how do you choose between, say, grommet, tab top, or café curtains? And how do you add curtain rods or decide on the length of the material you use?

You’re certainly not the first person who has pondered over the many different choices involved in hanging curtains, and luckily, Moshell’s has come up with a convenient infographic to walk you step-by-step through the process of selecting and installing a window treatment. Check it out if you want to learn how to:

Choose your window treatment type. If you go to a home décor store, you’re not just going to see a wall of identical cloth curtains, all cut to the same length. There are plenty of different options—curtains, drapes, valances, blinds, sheers, shades, cornices…and the list goes on. In Moshell’s infographic, you can learn how to install 3 of the most popular types of window treatments: valances, grommet or tab top curtains, and café curtains.

Make sure your material is the right width and length. Did you know that the width of your curtains will depend on the type of material you use? Or that you can adjust the length of your curtains to give the illusion that your ceiling is higher than it is? Yep, there’s a lot more to determining the width and length of your curtains than just measuring the window frame. To some extent, the width and length you choose is a matter of taste, but there are certain rules of thumb you should follow to make sure that your curtains don’t drag on the ground or get too bunched up when you pull them back. 

Select your curtain rods. Just as there are a wide range of window treatments, there are also a number of different curtain rod types to choose from. For example, if you’re hanging lightweight café curtains, you may just want to use a tension rod, which is inexpensive and fits directly into the window frame. However, if you’re hanging heavier duty curtains or valances, you’ll be better off using a classic rod or return rod.

Get your curtain rod brackets to the right height. If you’re adding valances as part of your window treatment, you’ll want to install your curtain rod just 2-4 inches above the window frame so that the bottom of the valance covers the frame. However, if you’re hanging regular full-length curtains, you can install the rod anywhere from about 4 inches above the window header to 6 inches below the ceiling. The higher the curtain rod, the taller the room will look once you add the curtains.

If you want to learn more about adding window treatments, including what tools you need to gather, how to install curtain rod brackets, and how to hem curtains to the right length, check out the info graphic HERE. 

Thanks so much, Matt! I appreciate your expertise, as, I’m sure, do all of my readers!

What about YOU? Curtain stories? Like ’em? Need ’em? Love ’em? Hate ’em?