When purchasing and installing window treatments like curtains and blinds, the options appear limitless. Which do you prefer: functional blinds that guarantee privacy, gauzy sheers that let in the light, or thick curtains to block out the winter draft? The correct curtain may be chosen and carried home, but there’s still a challenge: installing it.
Fortunately, if you are familiar with the fundamentals beforehand, the process becomes a lot easier. If you measure before you shop, you’re far more likely to find a look you love and will want to live with on the first try once you know exactly where the curtain rod should be positioned. These are five expert-level curtain-hanging tips.
Tips For Hanging Curtains The Best Way
Consider functionality
Window coverings and curtains have actual, useful purposes beyond being merely ornamental accents. Although translucent curtains may seem nice in the bedroom, if sunlight wakes you up every day, you might be better off going with a light-clocking roller shade rather than an ethereal, ornamental curtain. Before making a curtain purchase, consider these questions:
- What is the desired amount of light to pass through? From fully sheer curtains to black-out drapes, you have a lot of options.
- How much sunlight does the room they will be hanging in get? Considering this question will assist you in selecting a hue. Brightly coloured curtains, for instance, will fade in a room with strong sunlight. You might want to stay with a neutral colour in that situation.
- Are you going to be opening and closing them a lot? It’s common knowledge that grommet curtains are simple to open and close.
- Will they be helping to prevent drafts through insulation? Choose thicker draperies like those made of brocade, tweed, or velvet.
The curtain rod’s height
Curtain rod brackets are frequently installed by homeowners into the top of the window trim. However, designers advise installing them outside and above the window moulding to visually enlarge a tiny space. Halfway between the ceiling and the top of the window casing is usually a suitable place to put it.
Curtain Rod Width
Additionally, you want the curtain rod to extend four to ten inches to the right and left of the window. Your drapes should have plenty of space to hang on either side of your window when you open them. It will appear as though the window is broader if you give the drapes plenty of space on either side.
Purchase curtains that are the appropriate width and length
Length of Curtains
Generally, you want the curtain panels’ bottoms to barely touch the ground. Too-short curtains hanging on your windows are a dead giveaway that you neglected to measure before you went shopping.
It’s crucial to measure accurately both in advance and from the appropriate location. Make careful you measure from that location, not the top of the moulding, if you’re installing the curtain brackets above and outside the window moulding.
Purchase longer curtains and allow them to gather on the floor to create an opulent look. In either case, whether you’re purchasing curtains in-person or online, be sure to double-check the measurements.
Curtain Width
Generally speaking, you should measure at least 1.5 to 2 times the width of the window for your curtains. A few inches past the window, the curtain panels should cover a portion of the wall. They ought to have some waves as well to provide the impression of fullness.
Consider the Maintenance Before Buying
Cleaning Curtains
Think about how simple it will be to clean and maintain the fabric before purchasing curtains. Maintaining a clean curtain can be simple with a machine wash and dry (although you may want to use a lint roller to dust the curtains in between loads). It will take a little more time and money to maintain a curtain that is only cleaned by dry cleaning. Vacuuming heavy draperies once a month could be necessary to get rid of dust and keep the drapes from collecting smells.
Ironing Curtains
Before purchasing curtains, take another look at the care instructions to determine if you can steam or iron them to get rid of creases. After washing them and taking them out of the dryer as soon as the cycle is over, you might be able to get rid of wrinkles.
Regardless of the technique you use, make sure to give de-wrinkling your curtains the full 15 minutes before hanging them. You want your newly purchased curtains to appear their best after purchasing them.
Read also: How Wide Should A Curtain Be