Hang Curtains

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The curtains and drapes you hang at your windows work hard for you--they let in or block the light, create privacy and complement your décor. Get the most from your drapes and have them look great by following these steps for easy installation.

Steps

Installing a Curtain Rod

  1. Choose a rod style. Decide if you want to open and close your drape by pulling a cord or if you want to manually pull the fabric itself to open and close your drapes.
    • A rod that uses a cord is called a traverse rod. The back side of a traverse rod has a series of small plastic carriers or decorative rings onto which the drapery panels are hung with the use of hooks or pins. The carriers or rings then slide open or closed as the cord is pulled. Pinch pleat drapes work well with traverse rods.
      • Decide if you want your drapes to open and stack on the left or on the right side of your window or evenly on each side. Choose a left pull, a right pull or a middle draw traverse rod accordingly.
      • Motorized traverse rods are a high-tech option that allow you to open and close your drapes with the flip of a switch.
    • A rod that requires you to open and close the drapes by hand is called a stationary rod. Tab top, back tab or grommet drapes work well with this style of rod. Since the tabs or grommets slide onto the rod, the panels can be pulled open or closed easily.
      • If you want to keep the drapes open and pulled away from the window, you can use tie-backs to hold them in place.
      • A spring tension rod is a special kind of stationary rod that adjusts to fit inside the window frame. The ends of the rod are covered in rubber to prevent it from scratching and damaging the frame. A tension rod is used for sheers or other light-weight fabric panels.
      • A cafe rod is another type of specialty rod. It's small in diameter and fairly plain in appearance. It's meant to hold lightweight drapes and is typically used in kitchens or bathrooms.
    • If you plan to layer your drapes, that is, hang sheers under your drapes or a valance over them or both, you may want to purchase a double- or triple-rod set. Another option is to purchase an additional rod for each layer.
    • Consider the style and design theme of your home when you purchase your drapery rods and pick something that will complement the look of your room.
  2. Measure the height and width of your window. Taking accurate measurements is key to success when hanging a curtain rod. Measure 3" out and 4" above your windows and mark the spots with a pencil.
    • If your rod is more than 5' long, mark a point 4" above and at the center of the window where you may want to install a support bracket for extra stability.
    • If you want to give the illusion of higher ceilings, measure 1" down from the ceiling for your top measurement. You may have to adjust this measurement a bit if your rods have large finials (decorative end pieces).
  3. Check that your measurements are level. As you measure, use a level and sturdy metal tape measure to ensure that your line is perfectly straight. If it's not, your curtains will hang unevenly.
  4. Mark the location of the hardware. Using the hardware that came with your drapery rod, hold it in place at the pre-measured height and width and make small pencil marks to indicate where the screws will go.
  5. Drill a small hole into the mark you just made. Make the hole tiny, just enough to get the screw started.
    • Don't start with a screw - it will likely damage the woodwork.
    • If you make the hole too big, it may be too wide for the screw and leave your rods loose.
  6. Install anchors. Purchase sheet rock anchors at your local hardware store and gently hammer them into the holes that you drilled for the bracket hardware. The anchors will help ensure that your rod stays firmly in place.
  7. Screw in your brackets. Using the hardware that came with your rods, screw the brackets into the anchors installed on your wall. Make sure your screws go straight into the wall, not at an angle. .

Hanging Drapes

  1. Determine the length. The length of your drapes can convey a casual or a more formal look, so be clear on what kind of atmosphere you want to create in your room so that your drapes can reflect that feeling.
    • For a casual look, measure the distance from the bottom of the drapery rod or drapery rings, to the floor and subtract ½".
    • For a more formal look, choose a length that allows the drapes to sit or "puddle" on the floor. Measure the distance from the bottom of the drapery rod or drapery rings to the floor and add anywhere from 1" to 10".
      • A 1" puddle (also called a “break“) will just touch the floor.
      • A 2"-4" puddle will allow for just a slight spill of fabric.
      • A 5"-8" puddle has enough extra length to allow the fabric to "fan out" onto the floor.
      • A 10" puddle creates the most opulent look and works best with draperies made from heavy material such as velvet.
      • If you plan to open and close your drapes a lot, puddling is not a good idea since the bottoms will get dirty quickly from dragging on the floor.
  2. Determine the fullness. When deciding on fullness, stick to your aesthetic. If you've chosen to go with a casual look in length, use panels that cover your window with fewer folds. If you've chosen a formal look, use panels that are wider and will create lush folds.
    • Measure your window’s overall width. Multiply it by 1 for a casual look, 2 for a mid-range or standard look and 3 for a full or formal look.
    • To reduce gaps that can let in light and compromise privacy, add 2" to 8" so that the end panels can extend beyond the window frame.
      • For example, if you want a full look and your window is 45" wide, you'll need roughly 135" of drapery fabric (45"x3) plus a maximum of 8" to cover any light gaps.
  3. Put the drapes onto the rods. The approach you take will depend on whether you've chose to go with a traverse rod or with a stationary rod.
    • Traverse rod - Place drapery hooks/pins into the openings next to each pleat on the back of the drapery panels. Insert the hooks into the carriers attached to your drapery rod. Begin at one end and insert the first hook in the top hole of the end bracket. Wrap the drape around the bracket at the end and place each subsequent hook into a carrier. Keep moving unused carriers towards the other end of the rod as you work. When the drapes completely cover the rod, insert the last hook into the top hole of the end bracket.
    • Stationary rod - Slide the rod through the pocket, tabs or grommets at the top of your drapery panels. Spread the panels out evenly across the rod and set the rod in place on the hardware you installed.

Hanging Valances

  1. Balloon valances. A balloon valance holds its shape because it has a rod pocket at the top and at the bottom. Once in place, you stuff tissue paper inside the valance to create a "poofy" effect.
    • Mount the brackets. Since a balloon valance is not only meant to cover a drape but also needs extra space for the tissue paper "stuffing," use extra long (9") brackets. Mount them at the same height and 1"-2" outside the brackets for the drapes. Mount the brackets for the lower rod where you want the bottom of your valance to sit.
    • Hang the valance. Once the brackets are installed, slide the valance onto the rods through the top and the bottom pockets on the valance. Bunch it up evenly across the rods and then insert the rods into the brackets.
    • Create the balloon effect. Stuff the valance with tissue paper to create fullness. If hanging more than one balloon valance, make sure the look is uniform.
  2. Pinch pleat valances. These are essentially just small drapes; like pinch pleat drapes, they're distinguished by openings next to each pleat on the back side of the valance into which you'll insert hooks that will attach to your rod.
    • Hang the rod. Since your valance will cover your drape at the top, choose longer (6") brackets to allow room for your drape underneath. Mount the brackets at the same height and 1"-2" outside the brackets already in place for your drapes. Once brackets are in place, insert your rod.
    • Hang the valance. Place drapery hooks/pins into the openings alongside the pleats on the back of the valance. Insert the hooks into the carriers attached to your drapery rod. Begin at one end and insert the first hook in the top hole of the end bracket. Wrap the valance around the bracket at the end and place each subsequent hook into a carrier and keep moving unused carriers towards the other end of the rod. When the valance completely covers the rod, insert the last hook into the top hole of the end bracket.
  3. Scarf valances. These are long pieces of fabric (usually 6') that frame a window and can be hung many different ways.
    • Install scarf holders. If you want your scarf valance to dip down in the middle of the window, you'll need two holders; if you want it to rise up, you'll need three. Measure 3" on both sides of your casings and install your scarf holders there. If you're using three holders, measure 4" above the exact center of the window casing and install the additional holder.
    • Hang the scarves. Thread the scarf through the holders to create the look you want. Make sure that the scarf length on one side of the window is even with the length on the other side.

Balloon Curtain

  1. Decide on the length of the curtain. The length of a balloon curtain can be adjusted up or down, but the length isn't meant to be changed frequently so it's best to decide on the length you want before installing.
    • Lay the curtain face down on the floor; you'll see horizontal rows of rings sewn on the back of the shade. Use the split rings that came with the shades and slip one into each of the rings along the bottom-most row of the curtain. Now, slip each split ring onto the ring in the row above it. Repeat this process row by row until you get your curtain the length you want.
  2. Hang the curtain. Slide the rod through the rod pocket at the top of the curtain and spread the fabric out evenly across the rod. Mount the rod on the brackets and puff out the curtain from behind to create fullness.

Hanging Roman Shades

  1. Decide if you'll use an inside or an outside mount. Roman shades can be placed within the frame of the window or can extend beyond depending on your preference. Where you mount your shades will determine the size of the shade you must buy.
    • Inside mount - Measure the distance between the edges of the inside window frames at the top, middle, and bottom and use the narrowest width. Then, measure the distance from the inside edge of the top window frame down to the top of the window to sill. If there is no sill, measure to the point where you want the shade to reach.
    • Outside mount - Measure the distance between the outermost points where the shade is to be placed. Be sure your measuring surface overlaps each side of window frame by at least 1 1/2" and as much as 3". Then, measure the distance from where top of shade will be located to top of sill or, if there's no sill, to the point where you want the shade to reach. Again, add 1 1/2" to 3" to this measurement.
  2. Install the brackets. If you're mounting the shades inside the window frame, mount each bracket in the upper-most corners of the window frame. If you're using an outside mount, install the brackets to the wall above the window as per your measurements.
    • It's very important that your brackets are level so that the shade is even when you pull it up.
  3. Attach the shade. Insert the front edge of the shade headrail onto the brackets and firmly press the back edge of the shades up into the mounting brackets until you hear them snap into place.

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