Curtains installation  limit sunlight, create seclusion, and soften window edges. Hang curtain panels from a rod to effortlessly open or close them for light and privacy.

Method 1 Installing

Set curtain height. Measure your curtains, rods, and window. Most curtain rods adapt to fit different windows. Determine curtain height by measuring curtain length. Hold your hands up to the window to determine the optimal curtain placement. A friend can assist you with test curtain placement.

Too much framing can shrink the window. Hang drapes high to make a window look more prominent.

Others want curtains to cover only the top half of the window.

Wall-measure. Measure 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) above the window or molding, depending on curtain height. Draw a pencil line at this height using a straightedge. If you want your window to look taller, raise the brood.

Create an accurate line with a stepladder and yardstick.

Ask a friend to hold the curtain rod, then step back and look. Adjust the line as needed.

Locate the curtain rod. Extend the line 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) past the window or molding, depending on how far your curtains will extend. If you want wider curtains, extend the line by 4 inches (10 cm). Make sure window line extensions are the same.

The extended lines mark the curtain rod ends. If you plan to employ finials, consider them.

Level your line. If the line isn’t completely even, erase it and redraw.

Instead of low-hanging drapes, hang them higher.

Mark additional rod placements. Follow this method on each window where you’ll hang curtains. Even curtains will help your room. Copy the window’s measurements to the others.

Check walls. Tap each line’s end. If the wall sounds firm, you’re still on the window’s wood frame and can use screws. Anchor the wall if it’s hollow.

You can place the rod without anchors if the walls are robust enough. Hardware stores sell stud finders.

Punch a beginning hole. Mark the line after you’re pleased with its placement. Start each line with an awl hole. Awls denote the start of holes in wood. Don’t overdrive. To position the screws afterward, make a smaller hole.

Strong hooks will hold the rod and curtains. Put pins in the window’s holes and insert the rod.

Anchor. Traditional toggle bolts secure curtains. Using a power drill and Phillips head bit, screw metal wall anchors into each hole. To install, thread the anchor into the wall. If installing into the wood, skip this step.

Without an anchor, you could damage hollow walls. Your curtains may collapse and hurt someone.

Install brackets. Hold a stand against a hole. Hold the frame over an inserted screw anchor. Typically, racks have two screw holes. Overlap the bracket’s top screw hole and anchor.

Bracket up! Masking tape the frame to the wall. Repeat for the second bracket. This helps you mount brackets. If a friend holds the shelves, you can skip this step.

Install rod brackets. Mount brackets using their hardware. Once the rods are secure, remove the tape. Many prefer to attach the curtains to the rod before the shelves.

Test the brackets before hanging the curtains. Mount a rod in the bracket’s slot to test its grip.