How to Hang Heavy Curtains (Plus a Solution That Will Work Better)
You’ve been scouring interior design magazines and pinning living room inspiration to your Pinterest board, and you’ve finally made a decision. You need beautiful drapes in your home.
Drapes are elegant, luxurious and add class to a room. But hanging heavy curtains is a tricky task.
The challenge starts with measuring for curtains. If your measurements are off an inch, you’ll end up with a crooked curtain rod. And re-hanging your curtains means you’ll have multiple holes in your walls.
Hanging heavy drapes is even more challenging. If you don’t have the right curtain rod or secure it correctly, you risk damaging your drywall.
Don’t let these challenges scare you. Your home deserves Pinterest-worthy drapes. This blog post will help you hang them.
Read on to learn how to hang heavy curtains.
What You Need to Know Before Hanging Heavy Curtains
First things first, let’s talk terminology. What do we mean when we say heavy curtains?
Drapes
Drapes are lined, floor-length curtains made of heavier fabrics. Regular curtains, on the other hand, are lighter and have variable lengths, from short kitchen curtains to floor-sweeping styles.
Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains are an excellent choice for bedrooms to block out light and promote better sleep. They’re made of thicker, tightly woven materials and tend to be heavier than standard curtains.
Thick, Warm Curtains
More substantial than standard curtains, but thinner (and less expensive) than drapes, there are also thicker curtains made of heavyweight textiles such as tapestry, velvet, suede, and tweed. These are a great option to keep your house warm.
Besides keeping the warmth in and light out, drapes and heavy curtains add drama to a room. However, they do have some downsides. Let’s take a closer look at everything you might want to consider before hanging heavy curtains.
Weight
The real struggle starts when you try to hang heavy drapes. Their weight alone makes hanging them a two-person venture.
It’s also important to have the right curtain rod. The wrong rod will not only look bad with your luxurious curtains, but if it can’t support the weight, it can fall and damage the wall.
Risk
When not properly secured, heavy curtains turn into a safety hazard, especially if you have pets or kids in the house.
How to Hang Heavy Curtains
With these factors in mind, here’s how to hang heavy curtains. Spoiler alert: there’s a bonus solution at the end of this guide that will make the process much easier.
Step 1: Measure for Curtains
First, measure the window width and height. Make sure your curtain rod is at least three inches longer than your window width.
Want to go back to the basics? Check out our guide on how to hang curtains.
Step 2: Get the Right Rod & Tools
You need the right curtain rod to support the weight of your drapes.
First, weigh your drapes. Divide their weight by the width of the rod. Choose the rod based on the weight per foot ratio.
For example, the curtain rod width is 10 feet, and your curtains weigh 30 pounds. You’ll need a rod that holds three pounds per foot.
Don’t forget to check the manufacturer’s information to get the right number of brackets for the length of the rod.
You’ll also need:
- Rod screws
- Wall anchors
- Pencil
- Two-sided tape
Step 3: Install the Brackets
Mark the screw holes on the wall with a pencil while holding the bracket at the chosen height. Screw the anchors into the wall in the marked spots.
Next, put a piece of two-sided tape on the back of the bracket and place it in the appropriate location on the wall.
This will help you align the anchors with the screw holes and hold the bracket in place while you’re inserting the screws.
Step 4: Hang the Curtains
Once you’ve inserted the screws, attach the curtains to the rod and lift it to the brackets. Tug on their ends gently to test the sturdiness of the brackets.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully hung heavy curtains.
How to Hang Heavy Curtains In Minutes
If the described six steps seem like a lot of work, we have an easier solution for you. Kwik-Hang curtain rod brackets can hold up to 20 pounds, and it takes minutes to install them. No drilling required!
To install Kwik-Hang, place the brackets on your window trim and tap them in with a hammer or mallet. Place the curtain rod on your brackets.
Why risk your walls and stress about hanging heavy curtains when you have a better solution? Try Kwik-Hang today.
