How to Hang Curtains Correctly
Hanging curtains (properly) is not as easy as it looks! Here are some common mistakes homeowners make in the drapery department.
Most curtain mistakes are derived from not measuring correctly. Make sure you are measuring before you purchase your curtains or your hardware to avoid bringing home materials that are ill fitted. If you don’t measure correctly, you run the risk of your rod not being wide enough.
The rod not being wide enough. You want to leave room on either side of the window so that when you fully open your curtains, they are resting against the wall and not the window, blocking out valuable sunlight.
The “too short” curtain. Like ankle length bell bottoms, curtains that don’t reach the floor end up looking noticeably awkward.
Too long, on the other hand is workable. There are three styles of curtain length:
- The slight float. When your curtains hang less than an inch above the floor.
- The kiss. When your curtains barely touch the floor.
- The puddle. When your curtains are long and “puddle” on the floor. This can create a romantic vibe in your room, and works best if your curtains are made of a high quality fabric, like velvet or washed linen.
Forgetting to iron. While ironing is a chore most of us would be happy to skip, it’s an important step when you’re hanging curtains.
Not considering the most practical style for you and your family
- Tab-top are curtains that hang from fabric loops sewn into the top hem. The curtain rod is visible between the tabs.
- Back Tab are curtains that hang from tabs that are sewn to the backside of the top hem so that the rod is concealed.
- Pinch Pleat are heavier types of curtains, like draperies, often have a pinch pleated top, offering a fuller look. They hang from either hooks or pins sewn into the back, and open with the help of a pulley, or from rings clipped to the top.
- Rod Pocket are a type of curtain that have a long, narrow pocket at the top, which the rod slides through. Generally, the rod fits snugly inside, making for a more stationery curtain.
- Grommet are curtains that have metal eyelets along their top, which showcases a decorative rod that slides through for a more contemporary look. These curtains can be opened and closed with ease.
- Tie Top are similar to tab-tops, but instead of tailored fabric loops, the curtains hang from fabric ties knotted or tied in bows onto a rod for a casual look.
The proper way:
After determine what style of curtain suites you and your family best, take your measurements for your curtain rod, leaving 3-6 inches on either side of windows (to give the illusion of width). Then mark with light pencil where the curtain rod will sit, 4-6 inches above the top of the window (to give the illusion of height). Make sure you’ve measured the length between the rod and the floor so you can choose your drapes accordingly.
