Most people the power of window treatments, and how adding curtains and drapes can change any room! Not only can it improve the whole look of the place, but it has many other beneficial purposes too. It can regulate the entrance of natural light and filter air-borne particles from your space. It can also give your new house, hospitals, offices, and hotels some privacy.
However, the instant polish they can give the interior depends on how you hang them. In this guide, we will walk you through the terms used for hanging curtains and drapery, and the difference between these two.
Let’s learn how to hang curtains like a pro!
Curtain vs Drape
A lot of people use these words interchangeably. In this section, let’s define the two terms one by one:
Curtain
These are fabric panels used for covering openings. Its type may vary in the kind of fabric, color, and thickness. Usually, its dimension should only fit the window size or drop a few centimeters below.
Here are the common types of coverings:
- sheer curtains
- blackout curtains
- Grommet curtains
- Rod pocket curtains
Drape
Draperies are also used to filter light. It has thicker and heavier fabrics. Its main difference is the length. It can be long enough to run from the top of the window to the floor. The perfect places to put drapes are bedrooms and living rooms.
How to Properly Install Curtains And Drapery
There are no secrets behind hanging curtains and drapery the right way in a room. To achieve professional results, you just need to learn the basics. In this section, you will learn some techniques to hang them yourself!
Start with measurements
There are three things that you need to measure before buying your new curtains:
- how long your curtain rod should be
- the width of the curtain panel
- the proper reach of your drape or curtain
Determine your curtain rod lengths and width
Measure your window trim from one outside edge to the other. From there, add an extra 4-6 inches on each side. Those are the standard lengths of the rods. By several inches, you are giving an illusion of bigger windows.
It is a good rule to place the rod halfway to two-thirds down from the top of the window frame to the ceiling or ceiling molding. It will give you an illusion of higher ceilings.
Measure your Curtain length and width
A great tip if you want to have a gathered look for your panel, they need to be 2x larger than the width of your window.
If you want long curtains, your drape or curtain lengths should measure from the rod down to the floor. Don’t forget to add extra inches for the curtain header and hemming.
Remember that a curtain with rod pockets is generally shorter when installed than those with large grommets.
Ready your materials
After getting all your window measurements, you should have all materials ready, including your curtain panels, rods, and curtain rod brackets. Here are the other tools you need to have at your disposal:
- pencil for marking
- screwdriver
- drill
- tape measure
- a stud finder and wall anchors
- level
- screws
Install and drill
Do not forget to mark the spots for the curtain brackets with a pencil so it will be easier when you drill holes. Now, grab your drill and start installing the first bracket.
Before drilling for the second bracket, use a level to avoid uneven rods. You can install the third bracket in the middle if the width is too broad.
Secure and tighten the set screws to prevent your curtain rod from shifting left and right. You can now hang curtain rods and attach the fabrics.
Easy Tips and Tricks in Styling and Hanging Curtains, Drapes, and Curtain Rods
There are a lot of mistakes you can make when you hang drapes and ready-made curtains yourself. So, we have some great tips to spruce up your interior design, increase ceiling height, and allow more light to enter.
- Check if the curtain you recently bought is wide enough for your windows.
- Short panels do not look good. Do not let your panel hang straight. To turn them the right length, note that standard rooms need longer coverings, yet you can go up a bit shorter if it’s an informal room.
- Avoid excessive puddling. Short curtains are bad, yet you need them to hang properly without overdoing how long they get.
- Affix a drapery pin to the wall and the curtain for a polished appearance.
- Do not DIY your own curtains cover if you are not a seamstress. It will help you save money, yet it does not guarantee a good-looking result.
- Loosely tie a ribbon in the middle of the panel and flow the pleats.
- In hanging drapes, do not forget to add some home decor, especially if it is in your living space (it is what interior designers do!)
- A drapery return is a great idea to make the space more elegant.
