You do not have to hang curtains on a stud, as long as you use proper wall anchors for drywall. However, it depends heavily on the weight of your curtains and the setup of your window frame.
If no studs are available, install wall anchors to ensure the brackets stay secure. Drill pilot holes for the screws with a 1/8" bit. Insert the screws into the holes, leaving 1/4" of the screw sticking out. Slide the bracket onto the screws and tighten the screws to secure the bracket to the frame.
Screwing directly into drywall without an anchor provides virtually no holding strength. The screw will quickly sag, strip the hole, and eventually pull completely out under the slightest weight, leaving an ugly, widened hole in your wall.
A standard tension rod holds between 10 to 30 lbs depending on its diameter, length, and installation method. Shorter, thicker rods installed using high-tension springs or locking mechanisms can hold higher weights, while longer, thinner rods may sag if overloaded.
Yes, you can hang curtains on drywall, but you should never rely on the drywall alone. Because drywall is brittle, heavy curtains will eventually pull the screws out, ruining your wall. Always use heavy-duty wall anchors or secure the brackets directly into wall studs.
Plasterboard (also known as drywall or gib board), may look solid enough, but it won't hold a screw, and if you mount a curtain rod improperly, you'll end up with a sagging curtain and a hole to patch.
Thankfully, Stewart was quick to ease our curtain concerns. She says, “They're beautiful, I don't have anything against them, I just don't live with them… I like to look outside. Every window [in my home] looks out to something nice, and it's just all open to the view.”
To make a tension curtain rod stay up, cut the rod to be about 1 to 2 inches wider than the wall opening. Press one end against the wall, angle and compress the rod inward so it fits, and push it straight up to level it, allowing maximum tension to grip the surfaces.
The best way to hang curtains without drilling depends on your window setup: for inside the frame, use a spring tension rod; for outside, use adhesive brackets (like Command hooks). Both methods are renter-friendly, require no tools, and can be installed in just a few minutes.
Curtains typically weigh between 1 to 5 lbs per panel, though they can range from 0.5 lbs (for sheer materials) to 15+ lbs (for heavy, lined, extra-wide drapes or theatrical curtains).
Two common mistakes made during drywalling are improper joint compound application (such as applying it too thickly or not feathering the edges), and failing to stagger the seams across different studs, which weakens the wall and increases the risk of cracking.
Nails are a favorite for large jobs in construction because they're cheaper than screws and offer shear strength — or the ability to withstand shear pressure, where two surfaces slide past each other.
Yes, but you should never screw directly into empty drywall for anything weighing more than a few ounces. Drywall is soft gypsum; threads cannot grip it, and the screw will easily pull out, leaving a hole.
Curtain trends in 2026 are shifting from purely functional covers to architectural statement pieces. The top looks emphasize rich, natural textures, layered depth, warm neutral and earth-toned palettes, and smart home integration to bring quiet luxury and character to interior spaces.
Drywall anchors aren't required for all wall-based fastening applications. If there's a stud directly behind the wall, for instance, you probably won't need to use them. Studs offer support for screws as well as the objects with which they are used. Of course, studs don't encompass the entire space of a given wall.
Not Measuring Correctly. One of the most common mistakes people make when hanging curtains is not measuring correctly. It's important to measure the width of your window and the height from the top of the window to where you want your curtains to fall.
Width is Key: Extend your curtain rods 3 to 6 inches on each side of the window frame. This allows you to draw the curtains completely off the glass, flooding the room with light and making the window appear larger. Height is Everything: This is the most important trick! Hang the rod high.
Yes, in almost every case, you absolutely need to use anchors in drywall. Drywall is too soft to hold a screw under the weight of a curtain rod and curtains. The anchor expands behind the wall, creating a secure mount that distributes the weight.
Adhesive brackets or heavy-duty hooks: These can work on smooth, non-porous metal if the surface is cleaned first; adhesion may weaken over time or with heavy curtains. Wrap-around or clamp-style rods: Some designs grip the frame without adhesives or magnets and suit certain door profiles.
They also come in a range of weight-holding capacities, from lightweight ones that can hold short curtains to heavy-duty ones that can support heavier drapes. The biggest advantage of using tension rods for drapery is their fuss-free installation and flexibility of placement.
Tension rods in showers often fall because the walls are too slippery, but sometimes it seems like they fall for no reason at all. You can make your tension rod more secure to prevent it from falling by ensuring that it's tight, level, and creating friction.
To instantly stop a tension rod from slipping, increase grip at the ends with silicone, rubber pads, or double-sided adhesive strips. For a permanent fix, lock the telescoping rods together with a small self-tapping screw or use flange brackets screwed directly into the wall.
Martha Stewart recently went on the In Bed with Paige DeSorbo Amazon livestream and dropped a hot take about how often she swaps her bedding. Stewart revealed that she has her sheets changed every two to three days.
Even though ornate valances were once a staple in traditional-style homes, they are now considered outdated. "Avoid overly ornate valances, which can feel dated and heavy," says interior designer Danielle Chiprut. "They can feel at odds with today's preference for light, airy interiors."
Martha Stewart, 83, has nothing to hide. She's always been unabashedly candid about her life and career, including her divorce and her 2005 stint in prison for insider trading. And now, the lifestyle guru is opening up about being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease vitiligo for the very first time.