Place hooks on the glass at the upper window corners or on nearby wall surfaces, and drop your rod into the brackets they have become. You should, however, plan to hang only a light-use rod and lightweight curtains to prevent accidents.
A rule of thumb (from Architectural Digest) is that curtains should be hung between four to six inches above the window frame, so install your curtain rod accordingly. When you hang the curtain rod high, it will make the window appear taller.
As a general rule, installing the curtain rod four to six inches above the top of the window is the best placement for most rooms, assuming an average-height ceiling and windows that aren't very large or small in proportion to the overall room size.
Positioning a piece of furniture against a wall can help to balance an off-center window. Measure the distance from the floor to the top of the window. Also, measure the width of the window. Choose an open shelving unit, bookcase, armoire or chest of drawers to complement the room's decor and color palette.
Built-ins, an armoire, a tall bookshelf or any other piece of furniture with height is also a good option to establish balance. If your asymmetrical windows overlook an unpleasant scene, such as a neighbor's brick wall, you may want to install wall-to-wall drapes. This will give you more space-planning options, too.
The drapes should cover as much of the wall as possible to create the illusion of space, so aim to position the rod a few inches from the ceiling.
The standard distance from the window casing to the end of the curtain rod (excluding finials) on each side of the window should be four to 10 inches. As a general rule, drapes will be open during the day, so make sure the curtain rod extends at least four inches on each side of the window's inside frame.
Each bracket should be placed at the height you previously determined and about four to six inches from the side of the window frame. (This will allow you to open the curtains completely.) Check to make sure your pencil marks are level otherwise the entire window treatment will be crooked.
Tip: Traditionally, you'd mount your curtain rods one to three inches above the top of your window frame. But my favorite trick is to hang your curtain rod higher (a couple inches below the ceiling). It'll instantly make the room feel taller and grander.
If you have the space between the top of your window frame and the ceiling or crown molding, though, you should hang the rod over the window. I like to go 3 to 5 inches down from the ceiling. Doing this visually extends the length of your wall, making your ceiling look higher.
How long should the pole be? This can be subjective and is influenced by obstructions around the window area. But as a guide the pole should extend about 15-20cm (6-8in) beyond the window recess on each side. And it should be fitted symmetrically relative to the window opening.
For a typical window without architraves, we recommend poles/tracks overhang the width of the window by not less than 15cm (6") each side (excluding finials). Mark the pole/track and check your measurements again.
The answer to this question is important because it can affect the way we do our decorations. Yes, curtains should be long enough to touch the floor. With a few exceptions, the longer the curtains are the more stylish and elegant it will look. This is why most standard ready-made curtains are lengthy.
The right side of the lining orients to the window, so you need to know how to determine the right and wrong side before you start your construction. The right side of the lining faces out the window.
Whenever possible, try to align all the windows on a wall both horizontally and vertically. For instance, the windows on your second floor should mostly be aligned with the ones on the first floor. If the top or side edges are floating, unaligned with each other, your home won't have a pleasing look.
Try using an extra-long curtain rod that spans the wall and makes the area look more spacious. Then, add two separate panels on each side of the windows to frame the windows more stylishly. Another option is to choose drapes or shades to each window, so you can let some light and still enjoy some privacy.
The material should barely touch the floor or hover half an inch above. Use this approach for café curtains, too, short panels covering only the lower portion of a window, hitting the sill, which works well in kitchens and bathrooms, where long drapes or curtains aren't practical.
Purchase 2-3 jumbo command hooks per window. Pick a finish that is the same as the curtain rods you will be hanging. Clean wall surface where you will be applying hooks with rubbing alcohol and clean cloth or paper towel. Clean gently, rubbing too hard can remove the paint.