- Choosing the right curtains depends on the dimensions of the window and the room, as well as the curtains' purpose.
- Ideally, curtains should be hung at a height of 10 to 15 cm above the window frame and reach the floor.
- To hang the curtains, simply screw in the brackets and mount the curtain pole with the curtains already in place.
When it comes to dressing windows, well-chosen and properly hung curtains are multifunctional: They control noise, light, and solar heat, protect privacy, and contribute to the overall look of the room.
"The first thing to do when choosing window treatments is to consider their function," explains Virginia Toledo, co-owner and creative director of Toledo Geller Interiors. "Do we need privacy in this room? Do I need sun protection?" The answers to these questions determine the weight of your curtains and whether to opt for features like privacy lining or fade-resistant fabrics.
Design and hanging are equally important elements. The fabric's pattern and color matter – sometimes curtains are the "hero" of the room, says Toledo, and other times "they are just another character in the room" – and proper hanging also contributes to the room's appearance.
Incorrect height can make a room appear shorter than it is, while improper anchoring can lead to curtain poles deforming over time. But when hung correctly, curtains can make a room feel larger and stay in place for years.
What You'll Need:
- Measuring tape
- A pencil
- Level (optional)
- Cardboard or paper template (optional)
- Drill
- Pole brackets and screws
- Anchors (if needed)
- Screwdriver (optional)
- Curtain pole
- Curtain rings and pins (if needed)
- Curtains
- Steamer
How to Choose the Right Curtain Size for Your Windows?
1. Curtain Pole Length
Curtain poles should generally extend about 15 cm beyond the window on each side. The pole should always be wider than the window to ensure that when the curtains are fully open, they don't block the window. "You want to preserve as much natural light as possible," explains Mr. Toledo, with the curtains just framing the window edges on both sides.
2. Curtain Width
The width of your curtains depends on their purpose. Note that a single curtain is referred to as a panel.
For functional or traversing curtains, each panel should be half the total width of the curtain pole.
For decorative or stationary curtains, each panel should have a fabric width of 1.5 to 2 times the pole width. The standard fabric width is 140 cm.
For stationary curtains, if you prefer a modern style, like Toledo's design studio, opt for 1.5 widths. For a more traditional look, choose two widths. "If you use twice the fullness on a narrow window," explains Mr. Toledo, "your curtains will appear 'heavy' on each side of the window, which is a more traditional aesthetic."
Pro Tip: If you're using ready-made curtains, which tend to be narrower, Ms. Toledo recommends purchasing two pairs of curtains for a single window. "Put two curtains on the left and two on the right, and they will look a bit fuller," she says.
3. Curtain Pole Height
For curtain pole placement, "if you have a standard 245 cm ceiling, a height of 10 to 15 cm above the window trim is appropriate," says Toledo. This rule of thumb can be challenging to apply with shorter ceilings or rooms featuring crown molding. "Go as close to the ceiling or crown molding as possible," advises Toledo. "When you mount the curtain poles closer to the ceiling, you create the illusion of a larger space. It's like a petite person wearing high-waisted jeans with a long, flared leg. You create the illusion of a longer leg, but the leg is still the same length."
Similarly, for higher ceilings, you can place the pole more than 15 cm above the window trim to further elongate the room.
4. Curtain Length
Ideally, according to Toledo, curtains should "kiss the floor – just lightly touching it." Curtains that are too long create puddles on the floor, posing a tripping hazard and making cleaning difficult. Like curtains that are too short, they can also make a room feel smaller than it is.
To determine curtain length, measure the distance from the top of the curtain pole to the floor. Then adjust this measurement based on your chosen curtain hanging method. For instance, rod-pocket curtains, which have a sewn pocket for the pole, may require extra centimeters. Curtains hung with drapery rings should be shortened by a few centimeters to account for the additional length these rings provide.
Pro Tip: If you can't find ready-made curtains in the perfect length, start with ones that are too long. Hang them up, mark where they should end, then take them to your tailor or dry cleaner to be hemmed.
5. Curtain Pole Brackets
When choosing curtain pole brackets – the hardware pieces that screw into the wall and support the curtain pole – consider how far your window protrudes from the wall. The brackets will need to extend far enough so that the curtains don't hit the window trim, while also avoiding an awkward gap.
For particularly wide curtains, Mr. Toledo recommends including a center bracket in addition to the end brackets: "When people don't do this and don't think they need it, you'll see that over time, the pole will start to sag."
How to Hang Curtains
- Determine the placement of the curtain pole brackets. Use a tape measure and a pencil to mark the location of the curtain pole brackets, following the height and width recommendations provided above. Mark the screw locations for the brackets. If desired, use a level or a template to assist with your measurements.
- Pre-drill the marked locations for the brackets. If you are drilling into solid wood, also known as a stud, drill to the appropriate depth and skip step 3.
- Insert wall anchors, if needed. If the pilot hole doesn't go into a stud, insert an anchor to "give the screw something to grip," explains Mr. Toledo. "Without it, the screw would go straight through the drywall and not hold onto anything... the drywall would disintegrate."
- Screw in the brackets. Using screws and a drill or screwdriver, install the curtain pole brackets. You can check that the brackets are level by temporarily mounting the pole without the curtains.
- Place the curtains on the pole. Even if you are using rings and curtain pins, attach the curtains at this stage – heavy curtains are difficult to hang once the pole is already installed.
- Mount the pole onto the brackets. For added safety, ask a friend for help if the pole is very wide or the curtains are heavy.
- Steam the curtains. "If you have a steamer at home for your clothes or other items, you can use it very effectively for curtains," explains Mr. Toledo. Steaming revives packaged curtains and should only be done once during installation.
Key Takeaways
When hung correctly, curtains not only play a role in controlling privacy, light, and warmth, but also significantly enhance a room's aesthetic appeal. The choice of curtain type and size depends on their intended function and the dimensions of both the room and the window.
Ideally, curtains should be long enough to gently brush the floor when hung from a curtain pole installed 10 to 15 cm above the window frame. Maximizing the curtain height creates the illusion of a taller room. Remember to choose a curtain pole that extends beyond the width of your window to allow maximum natural light when the curtains are open.
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