How to Hang Curtains Without Drilling: DIY Alternatives

Learn how to hang curtains the right way — plus budget-friendly DIY alternatives if you don’t want to buy them.

I’ve always loved curtains. The right panels soften a room, add texture and color, and provide a finished look that feels intentional. But choosing and hanging curtains can raise a lot of questions: what fabric should you pick, how high and wide should the rod be, can you make inexpensive curtains yourself, and how do you hem them so they sit perfectly?

After experimenting with many options, I’ve gathered practical tips and straightforward steps to help you choose, hang, and hem curtains with confidence—whether you buy them or make your own on a budget.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links for shopping convenience.

How to Choose the Right Curtains

Curtains range from budget-friendly to very expensive. The good news is you don’t have to spend a lot to achieve a beautiful, polished look. Focus on fabric weight, color and pattern, length, and how much light control or privacy you need.

Inexpensive alternatives to traditional store-bought curtains

• Sew rod-pocket curtains using a large tablecloth for an affordable, coordinated look.
• Stencil inexpensive plain curtains to mimic an expensive pattern and personalize your panels.
• Use painter’s drop cloth as a linen-like fabric—durable, textured, and budget friendly.
• Hang fabric with curtain ring clips for a fast, no-fuss finish that’s easy to change seasonally.
• Explore DIY curtain ideas and tutorials that recreate designer styles at a fraction of the cost.

Favorite sources for store-bought curtains

If you prefer to buy ready-made panels, many mainstream retailers offer affordable, stylish options. Two favorites for budget-conscious shoppers are Target and IKEA. Target often has patterned and neutral selections that suit farmhouse and casual styles. IKEA’s RITVA curtains are popular for good reason—they’re affordable and long enough for many rooms, providing flexibility when you want to hang curtains higher than the window frame.

How high should curtains be hung?

There aren’t strict rules, but a few simple guidelines help achieve the most flattering result. Hanging curtains higher and wider than the window frame makes the window look larger and the ceiling feel taller. Aim to mount the rod several inches above the window trim—often 4–12 inches depending on ceiling height—and extend the rod beyond the window edges by 4–12 inches on each side so the window reads larger and more open when panels are drawn.

In one bedroom I updated, raising the rod and widening the placement instantly made the window and room feel more expansive. Small adjustments like that have a big visual impact.

How to hang a curtain rod

1. Find the center of the window and decide how high above the trim you want the rod to sit.
2. Mark the top screw location for the curtain rod bracket.
3. Use a nail or awl to start a hole where the wall anchor should go, then remove the nail.
4. Install a wall anchor appropriate for your wall type and weight of the rod.
5. Align the bracket with the anchor and insert the top screw, then secure the bottom screw.
6. Repeat for the remaining brackets, using the same height and spacing so the rod is level and the panels hang evenly.

Once the rod is in place and panels are hung, you may notice the curtains puddle or hang too long—this is when hemming becomes necessary.

No-Sew Curtain Hemming Methods

If you don’t want to sew, there are simple and durable alternatives:

• Fold and clip the excess fabric at the top or bottom and secure with curtain rings or clips for a quick adjustment.
• Use iron-on hem tape (like Heat and Bond) to create a clean, no-sew hem that holds well if applied correctly.

How to hem IKEA RITVA curtains (sewn method)

For a polished, permanent hem, follow these steps while the panels are hanging so you get an exact floor length:

1. Hang the curtains and mark with pins on each side where the fabric just grazes the floor.
2. Remove the panels, then place a long straightedge along each pin and lightly mark the hem line on the back of the fabric.
3. Measure down about 2 inches from that hem line and cut off the extra fabric at that mark.
4. Fold the cut edge up to the hem line and press with an iron to form a crisp fold.
5. Fold over again at the drawn hem line to hide the raw edge and press flat.
6. Sew the hem with a sewing machine, stitching close to the inner fold for a neat finish.
7. Repeat for the second panel.

For this project I used a copper-toned rod I already had on hand; the finish tied in nicely with the modern farmhouse boho style of the room. I also kept the fabric leftovers for small projects—scraps can become upholstered accents, fabric wall hangings, or other decor pieces.

IKEA’s RITVA fabric is versatile; the leftover pieces have been used for small upholstery and art projects, offering extra value beyond the panels themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high should you hang curtains?
There’s no strict rule, but mounting the rod higher than the window frame and extending it wider than the trim visually enlarges the window and makes the room feel taller.

Can you hang curtains without buying new ones?
Yes. Large tablecloths, drop cloths, or clipped fabric panels are great, affordable alternatives that can be customized to your space.

How do you hem curtains without sewing?
Use iron-on hem tape for a durable no-sew solution, or fold and clip the extra length with curtain rings for a temporary fix.

This is part of our budget friendly master bedroom makeover

If you’d like to follow the rest of the makeover series, the project updates include: 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…

Follow along on Instagram for progress photos and short tutorials.