How to fit and hang curtains

It’s really important to hang your curtains correctly, as if you get it wrong (even slightly) then you can alter the whole look and feel of your home. From making a room look too small and claustrophobic, to blocking out too much light, small mistakes can have big consequences.

Just as there are different types of curtains (eyelet, pencil pleat or pinch pleat) there are also slightly different methods for hanging these curtains. From whether to use a pole or track, the type of hooks to use and how best to hang and drape your curtains; all of these things vary depending on the heading type. That’s why it’s important to follow the correct fitting information, as there isn’t a "one size fits all" technique.

So, let’s get started. Below you will find all of the information you need to hang curtains within your home.

Required Tools To Fit Curtains

To hang curtains you will need the following tools and equipment:

A step ladder
An allen key
Curtain hooks/pins
Curtain rings

How To Hang Eyelet Curtains

Eyelet curtains are one of the most popular options and are easily recognisable due to their built-in metal rings (sometimes also called eyes or grommets). It is these metal rings which you will thread onto a curtain pole. Please note these curtains can only be fitted onto a curtain pole, not a curtain track; plus they will be fitted without the need for hooks or rings.

Before you start it is a good idea to iron your curtains to remove any creases. Just remember to check the care instructions on the curtains before doing so, in order to ensure you don’t damage the curtain fabric.
Next, double check the thickness of your curtain rod or pole to ensure it is not too thick or flimsy for your curtains. The pole should be thin enough for your eyelets to slide smoothly through them but not too thin as to make them too weak to hold the weight of your curtains. Typically you want a curtain pole with a maximum width of 3.8 cm (1.5 inches).
You then want to remove the finials from the end of your curtain poles/rods, as these will need to be removed in order for your curtains to slide onto the pole. Usually these can be removed using an allen key. Loosen the screw using the allen key and you will notice the finial start to come loose, it will then slip off the pole with ease.
It’s now time to check that each of your curtains have an even number of eyelets. As eyelet curtains fold onto a pole bunching together two eyelets at a time, should a curtain panel have an odd number of eyelets then you will be left with an odd eyelet hanging loose from your pole. This is very unlikely to happen as it is standard practice to provide an even number of eyelets, but it’s worth being aware of this to ensure you fit your curtains correctly.
As mentioned above, you now want to fold or bunch the heading of your eyelet curtains bringing together the eyelet into pairs. Fold the first eyelet away from the window and then alternate the direction with each subsequent eyelet. Following this technique will ensure that the lining isn’t on show and is tucked away facing the window. You want to aim for a snake like pattern, seen from above the top of the curtains will go back and forth.

Wave track from above

You're now ready to “weave” your curtains onto the pole. Take your curtains and slide two eyelets at a time onto your curtain pole (remember you have already bunched your eyelets into pairs so this should be easy enough to do).
When it comes to the last pair of eyelets on the outer edge of your curtains you want to ensure that the pole bracket is sandwiched inside the last pair of eyelets. By this we mean the final eyelet on your curtains will be on one side of the bracket, whereas all of the other eyelets will be on the other side of the bracket.
Once you’ve fitted one curtain panel, then repeat the process with the second one.
Now it’s time to step back and make sure that you’re happy with the look of your eyelet curtains. You may also want to check that they hang properly and also open and close smoothly.
As soon as you’re happy then you can replace the finials to the end of your pole using the allen key and then tighten up the pole brackets so that everything is secure.
You may just want to leave the curtains to settle for 24 hours. This will give the fabric enough time to settle and for any small creases to be removed.

How To Hang Pencil Pleat Curtains

Pencil pleat curtains are also a popular option and are so named because when fitted in a window the heading of these curtains is said to look like a stack of laid out pencils. Unlike eyelet curtains, these curtains can be fitted to a curtain track (as well as a curtain pole); and are fitted using curtain hooks. The gather of the curtain heading can also be slightly adjusted using a string at the back of the heading. This allows you to get the look that you want.

Before you start it is a good idea to iron your curtains to remove any creases. Just remember to check the care instructions on the curtains before doing so, in order to ensure you don’t damage the curtain fabric.
It is also really important to double check that these curtains are going to fit on your pole or track properly. This is more important with pencil pleat curtains than other heading types, as the width of pencil pleat curtains can reduce by up to 50 percent when they are hung.
Pencil pleat curtains have three cords on their heading tape. These will initially be loose, so you want to temporarily tie them into a slip knot at one side of each curtain. The side you chose won’t impact the finished look of your curtains. It’s important that you don’t cut these, just tuck them behind the curtains or heading tape for now.
You then want to hold the loose/unsecured cord and gently push the curtain inwards so that it bunches to approximately half the size of your track or pole. Then simply tie the cords on the opposite side and tuck them away.
Once both sides have been tied and secured you will want to even out the pleats, so that they are uniformly spread out. You want to make sure all of the pleats are the same shape and width.
The heading tape of pencil pleat curtains has three rows of pockets (used to attach curtain hooks) at the top, middle, and bottom of the tape. If you want the pole or track to remain visible when the curtains are in place then attach hooks to the middle or top pocket; whereas if you want to hide the pole/track then attach hooks to the bottom row of pockets.
Next you want to ensure that the number of curtain rings on a curtain pole or gliders on a curtain track are equally spaced. This means having the same amount on the left and right curtain panel, as well as having each one an equal distance from one another on each panel. Getting this wrong may not be noticeable straight away but when your curtains are hung then they will look uneven and messy.
Starting at the outside edge of the curtains, attach the hooks to the pockets on the heading tape, ensuring they are an equal distance apart. Please note: a common mistake is attaching hooks to the cords not pockets, so be aware of this when hanging your curtains. To get the right look and feel, aim to use one hook in every 4-6 pockets.
Next, rest a curtain panel over your arm to take most of the weight. You can then start hanging your curtains by looping the hooks onto the track gliders or into the curtain rings.
Once you’ve fitted one curtain panel, then repeat the process with the second one.
Now that both curtain panels are hung, you should run your fingers through the fabric to create even folds to get the perfect pleats and finish the look.
You may just want to leave the curtains to settle for 24 hours. This will give the fabric enough time to settle and for any small creases to be removed.

How To Hang Pinch Pleat Curtains

Although pinch pleat and pencil pleat curtains are both pleated, it is important that you don’t get them confused with each other. This is because the fitting method is slightly different. For instance with pinch pleat curtains you will use a different kind of curtain hook, which is more of a pin than a hook. If you follow the wrong fitting method or use the wrong type of hooks, then the finished look of these curtains will be less than desirable.

Before you start it is a good idea to iron your curtains to remove any creases. Just remember to check the care instructions on the curtains before doing so, in order to ensure you don’t damage the curtain fabric.
Next, you need to work out how many pins you will need to hang your curtains. The simplest way to do this is to count the number of pleats your curtains have and then add three (one for the left, one for the right and one for the middle of the curtain panel). This number is the amount of pins you will need for each panel.
Before you start to add pins to your heading it is worth noting that to get the correct look you will want the curtains to hang below the pole or track. This means you will want the curtain hook to be as close to the top of the curtains as possible, whilst still being hidden from view.
If you are unsure, then it may be worth inserting a few test pins to start with and then hanging them temporarily on the pole or track to ensure you’re happy with the finished position.
Once you know where you’ll be fitting the pins then take your curtains, making sure the lining is facing towards your body. You then want to slide the sharp side of a pin hook up and behind the stitches at the back of the pleat. You need to ensure the point of the pin is hidden and only the hook end can be seen. Repeat this process inserting a pin into every pleat on each panel.
Once a pin has been added to each pleat, you will then also want to add a pin to the outside, inside and middle of one curtain panel. However for the second panel you will only want to add a pin to the outside edge and middle. You don’t need to add a pin to the inside edge of the second panel, as it needs to overlap the first panel. This just ensures there is no gap between each panel when your curtains are closed.
Now that all of the pins are in the correct position you need to support the weight of the curtains on your forearm and start to hang them on the pole or track. To do this you need to work from the middle of each panel outwards. Attach each hook into its corresponding ring or glider, threading the hook into the eye of the ring/glider. Keep in mind that the last ring/glyder should sit between the bracket and finial to ensure that the curtain stays in place.
Now that both curtain panels are hung, you should run your fingers through the fabric to create even folds to get the perfect pleats and finish the look.
You may just want to leave the curtains to settle for 24 hours. This will give the fabric enough time to settle and for any small creases to be removed.

How To Hang Wave Curtains

With wave curtains we have created a separate fitting guide. We’ve done this as these curtains come with a FREE curtain track, so the fitting instructions are a little more in depth, going over how to fit the curtain track too. To read this fitting guide, click here.