Installing Curtains: Steps 1 - 100

Curtains really can make or break a space. In my case, the lack of curtains is what was breaking the space. Being that our living room acts as the primary area we hang out in (tv room, fireplace, laptop), I've spent a lot of time studying what the lack of curtains can do to a room. Walls appear stark, flat and purposeless. To think I've had these beautiful windows sitting here naked for nearly two years makes me feel such shame - how could I not dress them up and show them off in all their muntin-d glory? The truth is hanging curtains is a tedious job closely resembling the chasing of one's tail.

For this room, I decided on store bought panels. There's a good chance many of these windows will change when we remodel this home down the road and I didn't want to invest in 'permanent' drapery panels if they would ultimately be deemed useless post remodel. You can read more about my plans for this room in this previous post.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I have a love affair with this room by Wendy Labrum Interiors.

blush-pink-sofa-gray-velvet-pillows-vintage-brass-lucite-coffee-table

I love everything about it and as I've been honing in on my vision for my own living room, I'm often referencing this image for guidance. From my previous post, you know there were all kinds of suggestions of what could go on the windows for drapery, but after really studying what it is I love about this image, the more I realized simple drapery in a bright, clean neutral was most in line with the vision.

I ordered my version of the inspiration panels from Restoration Hardware. They are the Opaque Belgian Linen Drapery and the color is Natural.

We actually had these curtains in a different color in our previous home and fell in love with them. Their weight is perfect - they are unlined and hang in such a way that softens the edges without adding visual weight to the room. By doing a simple neutral fabric, the curtains can fall back to the chic brass drapery rods they hang from. My inspiration image featured brass drapery rods and while I tossed around the idea of lucite, brass felt like a classic choice with more staying power.

These drapery rods are part of Restoration Hardware's Classic Antique Brass Collection and are actually a pretty reasonable price point for their quality and finish.

For some reason, curtain hanging is one of those tasks that my husband and I just can't get up the stamina to accomplish. In part, it takes precision and in an old home like ours where nothing is quite square or level, it can easily lead to frustration. But one good weekend of frigid weather keeping you indoors and you'll be surprised what you can accomplish. Here are the steps we take when hanging curtains.

Step #1 - Installing Drapery Rods - there are no hard and fast rules about correct placement of drapery rods relative to the windows they are situated on. But as a general rule of thumb, the freer the windows are kept of the curtains, the larger the window will appear. I am of the thinking that the inner edge of the curtain should rest on the casing of the window while the rod itself should allow enough additional space for the curtains to rest in the open position without being squished - about 8 - 12" of space from the window to the edge of the rod depending on the room and placement of the window within that room.

I also like hanging my rods high - nearly to the ceiling or crown moulding if you have it. I never like for the hardware to come directly in contact with the crown, but an inch or so gap is sufficient for me.

Hanging curtains high draws your eye up giving the space height in a way you otherwise can't achieve. It's also a great way to add visual impact to a space when using a patterned or bold fabric.

Step #2 - Dry Clean/Wash Curtains - If you are hanging your drapery at a custom height that you determined by seeing what works best visually in your space, you undoubtedly will need your panels hemmed. In the case of my 9' ceilings, I typically order curtains in a longer than necessary length knowing it gives me the freedom to hang them where I want them without having to worry about them being too short. However, prior to hemming, you must be sure you have pre-cleaned your curtains according to their instructions. The last thing you want to happen is have your curtains hemmed to the perfect length, only to wash them down the road and have them shrink 2+ inches on you (because they will - I learned that the hard way!).

Step #3 - Hang Curtains - You may also have seen on Instagram that I'm not much of a rod pocket girl. I do have curtains in my home hung with a rod pocket but in the case of a formal space, you'd be surprised what using drapery rings can do to standard panels. I purchased my brass drapery rings from Restoration Hardware. In addition to the rings, you will also need drapery pins to actually affix the curtains to the rings. These panels are a standard 50" wide and I use 7 rings/pins per panel.

To start, it's a bit of trial and error - the curtains should come up to graze over the very bottom of the drapery ring.

It's a matter of just fussing with the pin until you get the ring where you want it. From there, I measure the distance down from the top of the curtain to where the pin was inserted and replicate it across the top of the panel.

I start my first ring set in about an inch from the edge which had mine spaced about every 8 inches. Repeat this step for all of your panels until you have them all hung.

Step #4 - Pinning - As if that last step wasn't tedious enough, now it's time to pin them all in preparation for hemming. There are many factors to consider when thinking about the length of your curtains. Do you like when they graze the floor? Have a slight 'break' with 2-4" of extra length? Do you like the look of them puddled? Here's a great visual via Restoration Hardware that shows the different options when it comes to length.

In my inspiration image, you can see that they are puddled however, considering the circumstances of my life and the number of people who would use the puddled curtains as a makeshift wedding veil to parade around the living room in, I am opting to have them be floor length with a 1" break. Quite honestly, puddled curtains on wood floors can lead to a real dust trap of which I have no interest in managing. So mine will sit at the floor giving a standard 'tailored' look to the windows.

When pinning curtains, consider how level your floors are. Our 1920's home has floors that slope this way or that, so I tend to pin the curtains while they're hanging and have the seamstress follow my pins. The other option is to determine the length you need them and have them hemmed straight across. This keeps the panels more versatile when moving them from room to room.

Step #5 - Hemming - Here you will not find a tutorial from me about how to hem curtains. Instead you will find a suggestion for a well reviewed tailor in St. Louis Park. Tailors on Blake came highly recommended to me the first time I had panels hemmed. Since then, I've been back many times and intend to do so once again for this project. I always request that they press the panels once they've been hemmed so they come back to me ready for hanging (Lord knows we can't handle another trip back to the dry cleaner by this point).

Step #6 - Repin, Rering & HANG! - Hopefully by this point you could put those drapery pins in with your eyes closed. With the particular panels I am using, the pins do leave a little hole in the fabric that makes reinstalling the pins go much easier the second time around. It's time to get that pile of curtain panels up off the floor once and for all.

I will be back soon with a progress picture of the living room with it's new layer of drapery. I find with each layer I add, the next layer becomes more obvious. Like walls with curtains suddenly screaming for artwork. And speaking of artwork, did you see my inspiration image for the gallery wall over my couch? I snapped this photo at Gabberts Design Studio in the Galleria, Edina.

I fell hard for this and am currently hoarding artwork to build my own. And back to my inspiration image, thinking of switching my lampshades to black - what do you think?