Curtains are an indispensable accessory in living areas and bedrooms. Although you might already have shutters on your windows, curtains can still add to the aesthetics. Both systems have their advantages and uses. In contrast to shutters, you can decide how much daylight your curtain fabric lets through. They also create a sense of homeliness and make your interior look cozy. Hanging curtains may seem complicated, but with the right preparation, you can do this yourself effortlessly.
How to hang curtains?
First of all, you have to decide how you want to hang the curtains. Choosing the right hanging system is not always easy because there are many options. Do you opt for curtain rods or curtains with clips? Do you attach the hanging system to the top of the wall or the ceiling? What exactly is the difference, and which system suits your interior best?
Choosing the hanging system is something you shouldn’t take lightly. The choice will have a significant influence on how your house looks on the inside. Not only does this apply to the curtains, but also to the matching hanging system you decide to use. Do you opt for a hanging system with clips, loops, or rings or with rails and rods? The choice ultimately depends on what you prefer.
Hanging curtains with curtain rod
The classic way to hang curtains is to choose pleated curtains with rings and a curtain rod. The first thing to do is determine where exactly you want to attach the rod. The most important part is to make sure the rod’s length corresponds to the curtain’s width — the length depends on your taste. How far away you want to attach the curtain rods also depends on where the window should be able to open easily. If the window is openable, then your curtain should have to slide to the side.
The heavier the curtain, the more supports you need to attach to the wall. Two curtain rods are usually enough for a small to a medium-sized window. Place the curtain rod where you want to hang it and mark it with a pencil through the holes on the wall to know where to drill. Use a spirit level to make sure the other curtain rods are levelled. With a power drill, drill two holes in the wall for the support, insert plugs into the holes, and fix the curtain rods with a screwdriver. After this, you can put the bar through the curtain rods and hang the curtain with the rings.
Hanging curtains without rods
You can also choose to hang curtains without drilling and rods. A second option is to hang the curtain with clips attached to a curtain rail. The advantage of a curtain rail with clips is that it slides smoothly and is also easier to install. First, you must decide on the length of the curtain rail. Curtain rails are easy to find in standard sizes at the DIY store. That is why you will have to cut the curtain rail to size with a hacksaw.
Before you attach the curtain rail to the ceiling, you must first slide the runners into the rail. Count in advance how many sliders you will need. One slider per 10 centimeters should be enough. If the curtains are a bit heavier than usual, you can choose to use a couple more. Put end stops on both ends of the rail so that the runners cannot come off. Then, drill holes in the rail with about 50 centimetres between them. Finally, screw the rail to the ceiling with screws and hook the curtains into the glides with the clips.
