How Far Should Curtain Rod Extend Past Window

How to Hang Curtains Correctly the First Fourth dimension

Make quick piece of work of measuring and hanging curtains with these easy tips. Learn how to find the perfect curtain panel size and hanging height for your window treatments.

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Curtains are an essential element in living spaces and bedrooms. This hardworking home accessory provides privacy, blocks harsh sunlight, helps you achieve restful sleep, and spruces upwards windows with texture and color. Sure, hanging curtains can be tricky, just you can achieve a polished, perfectly draped await by following our tips, including how loftier to hang curtains, what size curtains to buy, and how to hang curtain rods. With the right measurements and hanging techniques, you tin can make the virtually of your window treatments and complete a room in style. Learn how to hang curtains or drapes the proper way with our elementary step-by-stride instructions.

Bedchamber with big window and multiple pillows

Credit: James Nathan Schroder

How to Calculate the Right Measurements for Hanging Curtains

Before you starting time hanging curtains, make sure the panels are wide enough to embrace your domicile's windows. Y'all don't desire to be rudely awakened past a axle of sunlight that the curtains don't block, and so measure your window dimensions before purchasing or making your curtains. The total width of your pall panels should add upwardly to well-nigh 2 times the width of the window.

Choosing the correct pall length for your windows is also of import. Besides looking awkward, likewise-small curtains visually shorten your space, making ceilings appear lower and the room wait smaller overall. Curtains that drag on the floor could pose a tripping take chances and collect dust more than easily. For the ideal center ground, curtains should hover but above the flooring.

To notice the right curtain length, measure from the floor to where you lot'll hang the rod (usually 4 to half-dozen inches above the window frame). Otherwise, hanging the curtain rod merely below the ceiling is a simple design trick that makes your ceilings appear taller. Curtains come in common lengths similar 63, 84, and 96 inches. Choose 1 closest to your measurement, erring on the side of a few inches longer rather than shorter.

Additionally, exist sure to choose a curtain rod that's wider than your window. This allows curtains to be pulled completely to the side of the window and gives the appearance of a larger space. The rod itself should be 8 to 12 inches longer than the width of the window, which allows for 4 to 6 inches on either side.

depression tabular array and patterned curtains

How to Hang Defunction

Once y'all have panels in the right width and length, hang the curtains using this simple two-stride process.

What You Need

Curtain rod with brackets
Screws
Tape measure
Level
Screwdriver
Pencil
Wall anchors (optional)

cottage style contemporary living room with blue curtains

Footstep ane: Determine how high to hang curtain rods.

Wondering where to hang curtain rods? It'due south essential to mountain mantle rods in the right spot, or your perfect-length defunction might non hang properly. A rod that sits too close to the window tin can make a space seem smaller than it really is. To ensure perfect curtain placement, mensurate the depth of your window molding to make up one's mind the ideal size for your mantle brackets. Yous'll desire curtain brackets that extend past the depth of your trim. If they're too shallow, your defunction won't hang properly.

Using a pencil and tape measure, mark the desired position of your curtain brackets so the rod is about 4 to 6 inches above your window frame, making sure the defunction will slightly castor the floor or hover just above it. The mantle brackets should exist placed well-nigh 6 inches from the outside edge of the window frame to permit plenty of natural lite.

Step 2: Mount drape rod and hang curtains.

Later you've determined the proper placement, hanging curtains is like shooting fish in a barrel. Use a screwdriver to install the curtain brackets; brand sure the sides are even using a level. For particularly heavy defunction or rods, you lot might desire to install wall anchors ($12, The Home Depot) to mount the brackets securely to the wall.

Place curtains on the rod. If your curtains have large grommets or eye-holes, thread the rod through the openings. Otherwise, adhere the panels to the rod with curtain rings or clips ($ix, Target). Then set the rod into the brackets to hang the curtains.