Have the same ol’ vibe to your window treatments? Are you ready to shift it up? Even if you’re hesitating… we’re sure our 6 unique ways to hang curtains will change your mind!
There’s no denying that curtains are an important window decoration that completes any room. They provide privacy, sure. But they’re also the finishing touch to your home’s decor. In fact, a nice set of curtains (hung the right way) can take your space from boring to beautiful.
So, let’s get straight to the point and talk about different ways to hang your curtains—just like a designer (including pictures of different ways to hang curtains!) 😉
Rod Pocket Curtains
Price: $55
Shop: Half Price Drapes
This is arguably the simplest—and one of the most traditional—ways to hang curtains. Here, you turn the curtain fabric back on itself and stitch it to create a loop along the top of the curtain. Then, all you’ve got to do is feed the pole through this “pocket”. You can customize the pleats by making the fabric’s width shorter (or longer) than the curtain pole.
That is to say, the “rod pocket” is a sewn-in pocket at the top of the curtain panel. You slide the curtain rod through this pocket. Just make sure the fabric gathers evenly as you pull it through. Note that rod pocket and pole pocket are similar styles.
The good: The rod remains hidden from view while only exposing the finials at the ends of the curtains. And you know what that means—the rod doesn’t have to look great. It should just be sturdy enough to hold the curtains.
The bad: It’s a little tough to draw the curtains back and forth. A quick solution is making the pocket a little loose. Also, you would have to take the pole down every time you wash the curtains.
Grommet Curtains
Price: $69
Shop: Half Price Drapes
These are a fancy—and cheap—way to make your home look cozy. Grommet curtains feature rings inserted into the top of the curtain fabric (the rings can be of varying sizes). You pass the rod through these curtain rings to hang them. Grommet curtains are suitable when curtain poles have a contemporary yet industrial appearance.
This method provides a clean look. And, so, you’d find grommet curtains in modern and minimalist interiors. Plus, the uniform pleats created by the grommets create a structured but relaxed look. Note that grommet curtains are also interchangeably known as eyelet curtains—with a slight difference in the hardware of the rings.
The good: Grommet curtains are easy to use (they easily slide). Plus, they can fit unusual window shapes.
The bad: Grommet curtains can be noisy when opened or closed. They also tend to provide less insulation than other styles.
Tab Top Curtains
These are great for a casual and laid-back style. Basically, tab tops are small loops on top of the curtain fabric. These can be of the same fabric as the curtains—or of a contrasting color. The tabs are placed at intervals along the top of the curtain. Tab tops, however, are more of a decorative style to hang curtains than a functional one.
The curtain attachments can either be closed or open. The former is when both ends are sewn into the curtain fabric. The latter is when only one end is sewn. The other end can be opened as needed. And you can close it with buttons or snap clip buttons.
The good: Tab top curtains are suitable for custom-length windows, as they can be altered by simply changing the length of the loop.
The bad: They can let in a bit more light through the loops, so you get lesser light control. Plus, their informal aesthetic may not be suitable for elegant decor styles.
Tie Tops
This is a simple style for attaching curtains to the support. Ribbons are typically made of the same fabric. They are sewn to the top of the curtain and tied around the rod. This style gives off a rustic and informal look—perfect for traditional interiors.
The good: You don’t have to take the rod down to hang the curtains with this style. In fact, having the rod in place makes it easier to hang tie top curtains.
The bad: Tie top curtains aren’t ideal for heavy fabrics (as the ties may not be strong enough to support them). Plus, these curtains are directly wrapped around the rod. So, they can be hard to open and close.
Curtain Rings
Price: $54
Shop: Homerilla
Hanging your curtains with curtain rings is super easy. This is also the most common way to attach curtains. In fact, most curtain rods come with matching rings to facilitate this process. The curtain rings can use different materials, for example, wood, brass, plastic, painted, or fancy (such as decorative curtain rings with clips—see more below).
The rings can come with hooks (this is the most common), pegs, or clips. All you have to do is pass the curtain rod through these things. To be effective, you want to keep in mind: the diameter of the rings should be at least ½ inches bigger than the pole.
The good: Hanging curtains with curtain rings is super straightforward. Even the rookies can master this.
The bad: You will have to take down the pole to slip down the rings. This is just a one-time problem, though; once the rings are in place, you only have to detach the curtains from the hooks when you want to take them down.
Curtain Rings with Clips
Price: $9
Shop: SYRLIG, Ikea
This is the curtain rings we were talking about above—just with clips or pins. Using pins to hang your curtains is an elegant way to achieve the purpose. Typically, the pins will be hooked onto plastic threads that loop behind the top of the curtain. The pins can be attached to curtain rings—giving the front of the curtains a polished look.
The good: Curtain rings with clips let you slide the curtains back and forth with ease.
The bad: It will take more effort to attach pins to the curtain rings (think of it as an extra step). This method may also not be suitable for lightweight curtains, as the pins can damage them.
Final Words
That’s about it for our different ways to hang curtains. Once you choose your preferred style, there’s a couple of tips you want to keep in mind. For one, measure your windows before buying curtains (the right length and width make all the difference). Secondly, to make a room feel taller, you can hang your curtains closer to the ceiling. And, for a luxurious look, take them all the way to the floor. Finally—do not (we repeat, do not) overlook your curtain hardware, including the rod. They may take up lesser visual estate, but they really do contribute to the overall aesthetic of your room! 😊
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