Hanging curtains has come a long way since the traditional curtain track. There are many different pole styles and designs available on the market today. Early curtain poles were made from heavy metals such as steel or brass but modern design efforts have seen hollow, tubular, more lightweight products entering the market and allowing for different decorative styles to be embraced.
When choosing your pole there are several aspects to consider.
Firstly, the weight of the curtain you are preparing to hang needs to be taken into account. Lighter weight sheer, net, voile or lace curtains could be hung on a cafe rod or tension rod, whereas heavier materials will need a more heavy duty item such as a wooden or metal type pole.
Consider the size of the eyelets; the diameter of the eyelet holes will determine the diameter of the pole you select. It is also important to consider what sort of fixing you prefer and how you require the curtain to function. In some instances, the primary function of the curtain is to provide light diffusion and privacy. These curtains are usually fixed in place rather than being opened and closed, and often sit inside a recess.
For such requirements cafe rods or tension rods will suffice and allow the eye to be drawn to the curtain rather than the pole. For a more functional curtain, or to create a statement piece that frames your window, poles that overhang the outside of the recess are normally used. These can be installed with a wide variety of brackets to suit your decor, either slimline and discreet, or flamboyant, baroque and highly decorative.
Step 1: Choosing the correct pole for your decor
Once you have weighed up all your pole options, choose the style you think will fit your curtain and room decor the best.
Step 2: Measuring Up for Eyelet Curtains
When measuring for your curtain pole, you should allow for the pole to be approximately 30% wider than your window. This will enable the eyelet curtains to open fully and therefore the maximum amount of light to enter your home when the curtain is open.
Ensure that the total width of the curtain panels combined is 50% wider than the overall width of your curtain pole - this will help the fabric to concertina and hang correctly, and avoid overstrained fabric or gaps when closed. For a fuller curtain you could use even wider curtains, but this is down to personal choice and the aesthetic you are seeking to achieve.
Step 3: Marking the Brackets
Your brackets need to be completely level with each other. To check this, you could use a spirit level, and mark out where you are going to put your brackets in pencil before you start drilling into your wall.
You should place your brackets a few inches above the window, so the curtain looks the best. This can also create an illusion of the window being taller, as well as wider if you have made sure the curtain pole is longer than your window.
Step 4: Drilling
When drilling the marked holes, do not drill through any wires! This could cut out your electricity, and can be dangerous to you.
Step 5: Anchoring the Walls
Next, you’ll need to install wall anchors or raw plugs into the holes you’ve just drilled. If your pole is particularly heavy duty, this will help secure the screws.
Step 6: Attaching the Brackets
Now screw the brackets into position using a screwdriver. If you were careful when marking up, and choosing your curtain pole, the two brackets should be parallel and capable of supporting the weight of your curtain and curtain pole.
Step 7: Threading and Hanging the Curtain
Now you can thread the eyelets onto the rail. Remove the finials, the bits at the end of the rail that keep the curtain from falling off. Next, thread the eyelets through, folding over the curtain so it hangs nicely. It might be easier to fold the curtains in one go, before you thread the pole through the eyelets. Place the end with the first curtain on in the corresponding bracket, and repeat for the other curtain.
Step 9: Tying Up your Eyelet Curtains
So you’ve successfully hung your curtains, but you’re not done yet - there’s one more thing to think about – tie backs. Tie backs aren’t usually needed on eyelet curtains, since they naturally stay in position when drawn back.
If you do choose to use them, buy them in the same material as your curtains, or if you’d like a more decorative pair, such as rope tie backs, have them the same colours as the curtains.
For best results, install around a third of the way from the bottom of the sill, and ensure that each tie back is installed at the same height.
Want to explore the options for curtains available? Check out our extensive range here.
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