Simple Tips To Hang Your Drapes/Curtains

Hey homeowners, this post offers you a hint on the basics of hanging your drapes/curtains with or without the help of a handyman. Before you purchase your fabrics, you have to decide how long you want them to be (almost touch the floor or just puddle), whether they will be functional (one you can open and close) or simply decorative, fully stacked or not. The tips below will serve as guide:

• Color Theme - This takes us back to the color scheme. In choosing curtain fabrics, opt for colors that complement your wall color. For strong colored walls, tone down the overall look by choosing curtains in a neutral color. In the picture above, i choose a champagne/cream curtains for a tone-down look. You could also embellish the curtains with a contrasting fabric in between curtains, by the hem or as a ribbon to add visual effects. 
• Measurement -Your tape will be handy here! Remember a tape is a 'must-have' household item. If you missed the post on "Ten Household Items Every Home Should Have then, click here for a reminder. Ensure you take both the length and width measurement of the window frame depending on how long you want your curtain to be before hitting the market. These days, the trend is floor length curtains with a little room underneath (½inch above the floor) to allow for cleaning and mopping as shown in the picture above.
• Rod Placement - Avoid the mistake of installing the rod the exact width as the window. For the height, the ideal position for the curtain rod is 6inch above the window frame but can be adjusted to suit your curtain length. This measurement may not always align depending on the ceiling height in your home. Again, if you are using rings or eyelets, it will require placing the pole a little bit higher to accommodate the extra space or you may decide to run the rod through the curtain tapes like i did here. Alternatively, you may adjust to what is most suitable to you with your eye by standing at the doorway to find the most appropriate measurement. For the width, always place the pole at least three inches beyond each side of the window frame or 6inch to the left/right of the window trim. This creates an illusion that the window is large, appears full and allows for maximum sunlight. 
• Installing Tiebacks - Use tiebacks on either sides of the window treatment for a graceful look. Tiebacks also helps to raise up the curtains for adequate sunlight and ventilation within the room. You can use the same fabric as the curtain or a tieback hardware as used in the picture above to achieve same look. Depending on the height you choose, always align the placement of the curtain tiebacks with the edge of the pole and avoid messing up your walls while drilling holes.
• On a final note, ensure you steam or iron your curtains for a wrinkle-free look. Repeat this anytime the curtain is taken out from the laundry bag or dry-cleaned, do not assume that it will straighten out by itself.