How to Hang Curtains the Right Way

Learning how to hang curtains the right way is one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to a room. Where you hang them matters more than the curtains themselves — a budget pair hung high and wide can make a window look tall and a room feel bigger.

How High Should You Hang the Curtain Rod?

This is the most important rule in this guide: mount the rod high, close to the ceiling, not just above the window frame. Hanging the rod a few inches above the window makes a room look smaller than it is.

Mount the rod 4 to 6 inches (10–15 cm) above the window frame as a minimum. If you have the wall space, go higher — halfway between the top of the frame and the ceiling, or even a couple of inches below the ceiling itself. Hanging the rod high draws the eye upward and makes the ceiling feel taller, which makes the whole room feel bigger.

With low ceilings, mount the rod as close to the ceiling as you can. Keep the height consistent across every window in the same room — different rod heights on one wall look sloppy.

How Long Should Curtains Be?

The rule is simple: curtains should reach the floor. Short curtains that stop at the windowsill make a room look unfinished, unless you are dressing a kitchen or bathroom window where a sill-length curtain is the practical choice.

There are three classic lengths. Floor length is the safe choice: the bottom just touches the floor or hovers about half an inch (1 cm) above it. Puddling is the luxe choice: the curtain is 2 to 4 inches (5–10 cm) longer than the floor, so the fabric pools slightly — rich in velvet or linen, but only where curtains are mostly decorative, as puddled fabric collects dust. Breaking is the relaxed middle ground: about 1 inch (2.5 cm) longer than the floor, so it bends slightly where it meets the ground.

Measure from the rod down to the floor and buy the closest standard length above it — 63, 84, 96, 108 and 120 inches are the common ones — rounding up and hemming if needed, rather than buying a pair that is too short.

How Wide Should Curtains Be?

Curtains that are too narrow are the most common mistake of all. When closed, they should cover the whole window with some fullness left over; when open, they should frame it without covering much of the glass.

The rule of thumb: the total width of your curtain panels should be 1.5 to 2 times the width of the window. For a 60-inch (152 cm) wide window, you want 90 to 120 inches of fabric in total — two panels of 50 inches each, or two of 60 inches for a fuller look.

The rod should also extend 8 to 12 inches (20–30 cm) beyond the frame on each side. When the curtains are open, they stack on the wall instead of covering the glass, so you get more light and the window looks wider. The eye reads the whole rod span as the window’s width, so a wide rod makes even a modest window look like a feature — a trick that also helps small living rooms feel larger.

Choosing the Right Hardware

Good hardware is not expensive, and cheap hardware is the first thing that fails — a sagging rod or loose brackets will ruin even the best curtains.

Choose a rod strong enough for your fabric. A thin tension rod is fine for a sheer café curtain but will not hold lined blackout curtains. For heavy curtains, pick a rod at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, with a centre support bracket for spans wider than about 48 inches (122 cm).

Always screw brackets into a wall stud when you can. If there is no stud where the bracket needs to go, use proper wall anchors rated for the weight — not the small plastic plugs that come in the box. Curtains get pulled every day, and a bracket that works loose will take a chunk of plaster with it.

Header styles change how the curtain hangs. Grommet (eyelet) curtains have metal rings built in, slide smoothly and make even folds — the best choice if you open and close your curtains daily. Rod-pocket curtains are simple and cheap but hard to move, so leave them mostly closed. Back-tab curtains hide the rod for a clean look; pinch-pleat curtains hang from hooks and look the most formal.

Step-by-Step: How to Hang Curtains

It takes most people under an hour per window.

1. Measure the window. Note the width of the frame and the height from the floor to the top of the frame.
2. Mark the rod height. Measure up 4 to 6 inches above the frame and mark a light pencil line, using a spirit level to carry it across.
3. Mark the rod width. Measure 8 to 12 inches out from each side of the frame and mark the bracket positions.
4. Install the brackets. Drill pilot holes, fit wall anchors if needed, and screw the brackets in firmly.
5. Fit the rod and hang the panels. Thread the curtains onto the rod (or clip them to the rings), set the rod in the brackets, and add the finials.
6. Steam the curtains. Most arrive creased from the packaging; a quick steam makes crisp folds that look far more expensive than wrinkled fabric.
7. Train the folds. Gather the fabric into even pleats and tie them loosely with a ribbon for a day or two, so the pleats fall neatly instead of flaring out.

Curtain Mistakes That Make a Room Look Cheap

• Hanging the rod right on the window frame. It chops the wall in half and makes the window look small.
• Buying curtains that are too short. Curtains that hover above the floor look like they shrank in the wash.
• Skimping on width. One narrow panel per window looks thin and sad. Two full panels, even on a small window, look intentional.
• Skipping the steam. Creased curtains look unfinished no matter how much they cost.
• Ignoring the light. Sheer curtains in a bedroom will not block morning light, and heavy blackout curtains in a dark room can make it feel like a cave. Match the fabric to the room — see which rooms benefit most in our guide to best affordable blackout curtains.

If your curtains are part of a wider budget refresh, see our roundup of the best budget curtains and our budget home decor mistakes guide.

How to Hang Curtains in Tricky Spots

Bay windows: use a bay window rod kit or a flexible track. Measure each section separately and hang one panel per section.

Very wide windows and sliding doors: use a rod with a centre support bracket every 4 feet or so, or a ceiling-mounted track, which handles wide spans better and looks cleaner.

Windows behind a sofa or bed: mount the rod higher than usual and let the curtains fall behind the furniture, clearing it by a few inches so the fabric does not get crushed.

Rental homes: if you cannot drill, use tension rods inside the frame for light curtains, or removable adhesive hooks rated for the weight. They will not hold heavy lined curtains — check your rental agreement before drilling. For more renter-friendly ideas, see how to decorate a rental without losing your deposit.

Get the height, length and width right and your curtains will look like they were hung by a professional — even if they cost very little. The window is often the biggest feature in a room, so it is worth the hour it takes to dress it properly.

FAQs

How high should I hang my curtain rod?

Mount the rod 4 to 6 inches (10–15 cm) above the window frame as a minimum. For a taller look, mount it halfway between the frame and the ceiling. Keep the height consistent across all windows in the same room.

How long should curtains be?

Curtains should reach the floor — either just touching it or hovering half an inch above. Curtains that stop at the windowsill make a room look unfinished, except in kitchens and bathrooms.

How wide should curtains be?

Aim for 1.5 to 2 times the window width — 90 to 120 inches of fabric for a 60-inch window. The rod should extend 8 to 12 inches beyond the frame on each side so open curtains stack on the wall, not over the glass.

Should curtains touch the floor?

Yes, in living rooms and bedrooms, curtains that just touch the floor look the most polished. A slight puddle of 2 to 4 inches looks luxurious in formal rooms, while a break of about 1 inch suits casual spaces.

Can I hang curtains without drilling holes?

Yes. Tension rods work inside the window frame for light, sheer curtains, and removable adhesive hooks can hold lightweight panels. Heavy or lined curtains need proper brackets screwed into the wall — check your rental agreement before drilling.