Things You'll Need:
- Measuring tape
- Paper
- Pencil/pen
- Drill to hang rods
- Rods, brackets, curtains (possibly rings and drapery hooks depending on the type of panels you have)
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Step 1
On a blank piece of paper write the room name and draw out the window, this can be just simple lines.
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Step 2
Now that you have a simple sketch, measure the Width of the window. If the window is small you should be able to do this alone, if it is large and you have a friend get them to hold one side of measuring tape, if not place it on the floor, and step on it every so often, making sure it doesn't move until you get to the other side of the window. Then measure the height from the floor to the top of the trim. To do so, whether your window is small or large you can do this alone. Place the tip of the measuring tape on the floor and step on it so that it doesn’t move, or push it against the wall with your foot. Then extend the tape out, holding the measuring tape roll in your hand and bending the tape back like a tight U shape until it reaches the top of the window.
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Step 3
Measuring your rod height and length: In most cases, it’s best to hang the curtains as high as possible. I generally hang the rod about equidistant between the top of the window frame, and the base of your crown molding. If you don’t have crown molding then measure from the ceiling height. Hanging your curtains higher will give the illusion of higher ceilings. Nothing makes a room look small and squatty more than short curtains! As a general rule of thumb, I also make the rod about 8-10 inches wider than window on each side. So add 16 to 20” to your overall rod length. This will make the windows appear wider, and allow the curtains to “stack” out of the way of the view when they are open. You don’t want them bunching in front of the glass which will block light, and they won’t look good from the outside!
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Step 4
Depending on the fabric you choose, you may want the curtains to touch the ground or “puddle.” For example, Silk should puddle on the ground about 4-8 inches depending on the look you want, but sheers should just skim the ground. You never want curtains to be shorter than the ground and float above the floor. Some stiffer fabrics should not puddle either, they should just barely be higher than the floor, as they will break un-attractively on the ground and look harsh.
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Step 5
Now that you have your rod width and curtain height, you can purchase the rods. Remember that when you are measuring for pre-made curtains, you’ll want to hang the rod after you have the curtains there to measure with. If you are using rings, or drapery hooks, you’ll need to account for that height when hanging the rod.
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Step 6
If you are buying curtain panels pre-made, you’ll want to purchase one panel for roughly every 25-30” of width. If your window is 75” wide, you’ll need 3 panels. If you are having curtains sewn and are measuring your yardage, each width of fabric will equate to about 25” wide once it’s pleated. I prefer a French Pleat. That means if you have a 54” wide piece of fabric, it will end up being about 25” wide once it’s pleated. For a 75” wide window, you will need 10 yards of fabric to make three widths at a standard height of 92” to 108”. Have each panel sewn at a width and a half of fabric, so that you finish with two panels to cover the whole window. Curtains can always be wider than your rod and look great, but if they are too short or narrow it will look funny!
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Step 7
Now that you have your curtains and rods up- hang them up and you’re done!
Comments
grouch said
on 12/5/2007 To puddle or not to puddle that is the question. Thanks for all the great tips. I always wondered why one wall of my living room looked a little strange. It has to be that curtain unlike all the other hanging 2 inches off the floor. I am tearing it down tomorrow and hopefully the entire room will flow better.