Choosing curtain hardware is an important step in completing and complimenting your choice of curtains and the mood and theme you want to achieve. There are gazillions of items on the market and it can all become confusing which will make your decision that much harder. Every novice decorator has a feeling of anxiety that each piece of the equation adds up to the perfect picture. Here are some general hints and explanations that will help you when picking curtain hardware.
Before you even begin to spend a penny, you need to do some very simple homework. You should have done this prior to purchasing your curtains, but just in case you didn’t, you need to measure each window. Most professional decorators like to place the anchors for any curtain rod between 1 ½ – 2 inches on either side of the window. So if you have a 36-inch window you would need to purchase a rod that expands past 36 inches. Do not stretch the rod to the max because it will sag in the middle. For instance, if you see a rod that indicates it will expand from 24 -36 inches, go for the next step up.
When you are picking curtain hardware you really do need to follow this through. If you have double windows that span 72 inches and your rod only expands to 72 inches, it will look and feel quite flimsy. However, rods that span double windows will have a center bracket for support. You will need to keep this in mind when you are planning on how far out from the wall you want to hang your curtains. You want to insure you have enough space so that the center bracket is not noticeable.
Next, what type of curtains did you purchase? Are they pleated and do you plan to use a rod where you can open and close them from the center, or even from the end such as you would see on sliding glass doors? Whether you use pins or hooks, you will need a traverse rod. This is a rod that has a pulley mechanism with a cord that opens the curtains and a separate cord that closes them. Traverse rods come in light duty and heavy duty versions. There are some where you can install and anchor the cords to the floor or wall where others have the cord loop free and dangling to one side. All traverse rods will have an appropriate number of slits to place pins or hooks and they will correspond with the number of windows you are covering. Single windows have ‘x’ number and double windows have twice the number. There is no guesswork for you.
If you plan to ‘manually’ open and close your curtains, even if they are pleated, you can attach them to your chosen curtain rod with rings, clips or a combination of clip rings. In choosing curtain hardware you want to select your rod prior to selecting your rings or clips. You will find round rods (or rods that look round from the front) in every conceivable color and metallic finish. If you have a modern décor with lots of chrome and glass, you may want to choose a road with a silver finish. If you have a traditional décor you may want a rod in a wood tone that compliments your case furniture and trim. For the rustic and Tuscan decors there are faux black wrought iron. Narrow down your theme and style and you can narrow down your rod selection.
Your rings and clips need to compliment your curtains as well as your curtain rod.
Another item when choosing curtain hardware is the basic white or cream enamel-like metal rod you have seen all your life and that your grandmother and her mother used. Is there a reason these have weathered the test of time? You bet. They are functional and inexpensive. If you are hanging curtains by threading the top seam through a rod and having the top of the curtains covered by a valance or swag, there is nothing wrong with going for the basic. No one is going to see it and these types of rods are relatively easy to install.
Just one word of caution for the novice at hanging curtains: everyone means well and sometimes what looks like a piece of cake can turn out looking like a fallen soufflé. Depending on whether you are anchoring the rods into wood or drywall, you may need extra hardware that will make screws remain in place. Do not be afraid to ask for help. There is nothing worse than a curtain that slopes or an end of a rod that keeps falling out of the wall.
Interested in taking your love of fabrics and curtains further? Only watch if you are ready for change!
