Discover the proper method for hanging window curtains along with affordable DIY options.
Curtains are wonderful because they can enhance a room's ambiance and provide a polished finish.
People often wonder what kind of curtains to select, where to mount them, if budget options exist, and how to hem them.
After extensive personal testing, I am sharing all my knowledge so you can select and install the perfect curtains for your dwelling.
Note: This article includes affiliate links for your ease of shopping.
Selecting the Ideal Curtains
When searching, realize that curtains can be costly; however, achieving a beautiful look does not require purchasing store-bought items.
Economical substitutes for conventional drapery:
- Create rod pocket curtains using a generous tablecloth.
- Stencil affordable curtains to mimic your preferred high-end fabric design.
- Employ painter’s drop cloth material for curtains; it resembles linen but costs substantially less!
- Attach fabric using curtain ring clips for a swift and simple DIY curtain solution.
- Here are 22 Fantastic DIY curtains that appear high-end!
Recommended retailers for purchased curtains
If buying is preferred over DIY, my top choices are Target and IKEA.
Target offers a superb array of patterns and hues suited to the farmhouse aesthetic I appreciate. I currently have Target curtains in my dining room and living room, and the pricing is quite fair compared to similar materials elsewhere. View the present curtain collection here.
IKEA is my second suggestion—their RITVA curtains are my favorite. At roughly $39.99 per pair (most curtains cost this much per panel!), they represent excellent value, and at 98 inches long, they offer ample choice for hanging height even with tall ceilings.
At what height should curtains be hung?
Despite reading numerous curtain 'guidelines,' I do not strictly adhere to rigid rules. The reality is that curtains can make a window seem larger and walls appear taller; hanging them higher and wider than the window frame is often the key.
In our master bedroom, the curtains were initially set at the window's top edge. After our Modern Farmhouse Boho renovation, we raised them above the frame and extended the rod beyond the window width—instantly enlarging the entire window appearance.
Procedure for mounting a curtain rod
- Locate the window's midpoint and determine your desired curtain height.
- Mark the location for the top screw of the curtain rod bracket.
- Use a nail to create a starting point for the wall anchor, then remove the nail.
- Secure a wall anchor into the wall.
- Position the upper bracket hole to match the anchor, then insert a screw in that top opening. Also, put a screw into the lower bracket hole.
- For the remaining brackets, maintain the identical height measurement and reference your preferred curtain width.
If your curtains seem to pool excessively on the floor after hanging, it signals that they require hemming.
Ways to Hem Curtains Without Sewing
If operating a sewing machine is not your preference, a couple of simple solutions are available:
- Fold-and-clip approach — gather the excess length above the curtain and secure it with curtain rings, a smart technique shared by The Vintage Porch.
- Iron-on hem tape — utilize Heat and Bond iron-on tape to achieve a hem without stitching
Hemming IKEA RITVA Curtains
This occasion, I chose to create a proper hem on this pair of RITVA curtains by following these steps:
- While the curtains are suspended, place a pin along each edge of the panels to note where the curtain just touches the floor.
- Take the curtains off the rod, and using the pins as a guide, employ a long, straight-edged board to lightly mark the hem line on the reverse side of each curtain panel.
- Measure 2 inches down from the marked hem line, indicate this line, and trim the curtain at that point.
- Bring the trimmed edge up to the drawn hem line and press flat with an iron.
- Fold the hem over once more precisely along the drawn line and iron smoothly.
- Use a sewing machine to stitch the seam closed.
- Apply these identical steps to the second panel.
I happened to use a copper curtain rod I discovered tucked away in my closet, which perfectly complements our Modern Farmhouse Boho aesthetic!
I truly appreciate the fabric of Ikea’s RITVA curtains, and I repurposed the cut pieces for items such as this upholstered stool!
From the fabric scraps, I also crafted fabric art wall hangings.
Common Inquiries
How high should you hang curtains?
There’s no strict rule, but hanging curtains higher and wider than your window frame makes the window — and the whole room — feel larger.
Can you hang curtains without buying new ones?Yes! A large tablecloth, painter’s drop cloth, or clipped fabric panels can all create a beautiful curtain look for less.
How do you hem curtains without sewing?
Try iron-on hem tape, or fold and secure the extra length with curtain rings for a quick no-sew option.
This is part of our budget friendly master bedroom room makeover!
And, if you’d like to catch up on all of my previous posts with this room makeover, here they are:
- Week 1: Inspired by Black Bedroom Walls
- Week 2: The Modern Farmhouse Boho Bedroom Mood Board
- Week 3: Small Closet Organization Reveal
- Week 4: Budget Bedroom Decorating: Painted Wall
- Week 5: DIY Floating End Tables
- Week 6: The Before & After Reveal of the Boho Bedroom Makeover!
For a peek behind the scenes…
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