How to Hang Curtains with Hooks – Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Curtain hooks are the necessary hardware that connect the curtains to the rods. They are useful for hanging luxury curtains & their smooth functionality. They are securely attached to the backside of the upper end of the window cover. These hooks make it easy to attach the drapes to the rings. The hooks make curtains easy to hang and adjust because they can move effortlessly on the rods, ensuring a quick opening and closing experience. Moreover,  with them, you can easily remove or install the curtains for washing or transformation. For the complete guide on how to hang curtains with hooks, keep reading this article.

Types of Curtain Hooks

Before learning how to hang curtains with hooks, it is essential to understand the types of hooks that complement certain drapery and their heading styles. 

Pinch Pleat Hooks

These hooks are widely used to hang pinch pleat curtains on curtain rods or tracks. They are also known as pleated drapery hooks. You can adjust them to the curtain header tape to create uniform pleats and then attach them to the rings or gliders.

Pleated Drapery Hooks

These are a type of hook that helps attach the pleated curtain to the rod for proper hanging. They are suitable for both pleated and non-pleated (flat panel) drapery. They come in metal or PVC.

Clip-On Hooks

Another typical style is the clip-on hook. You can use clip hooks for both lightweight and blackout window curtains. The clip is on the hook and cannot be used until the rod is fixed. Because the clip is attached to the curtain for grip, and the hook is then inserted onto the rings that move on rods.

S-Type Hooks

The lightweight, S-shaped hooks are affordable and readily available. Because of their simple, sleek design, they save space. They are best for the eyelet curtains. One end of the hook is passed through the eyes, and the other through the rods.

Tips On Choosing The Right Hook For Your Curtain Style

 A versatile range of hooks is available on the market; hence, their suitability for a specific curtain style may vary. See the tips below while choosing the right hook for your curtain style.

• For drapes in high-use areas, always prefer durable hooks for long-lasting performance.
• For heavy blackout curtains, metal rings are the best option; for sheer curtains, you can use simple clip-on hooks.
• If you want to highlight the hooks, then decorative hooks are available.
• Consider the curtain heading style; it must be compatible with the hooks. 
• Pleated hooks need a rod, while eyelet hooks do not need a rod.

Tools and Materials Needed To Hang Curtains with Hooks

Before hanging curtains with hooks, you need to know the tools and materials required for proper curtain installation.

• Curtain hooks
• Curtain rod or track
• Measuring tape
• Ladder or step stool
• Optional: pencil, level

Measure and Prepare

Once you have selected the correct rings for your chosen curtains, let’s prepare the windows for drapery hanging to achieve a balanced aesthetic. 

Measure The Curtain Rod Height

In general, the curtain rod should be higher than the window frame for a proper drapery look & functionality. So, when you decide to install a pole, rod, or track, the accurate measurement is crucial. If the rod is close to the window, it will disrupt the visual flow and uniformity, giving the space an incomplete look. 

For a professional and sophisticated look, add 6-12 inches to your window length. To ensure proper coverage, the rod should be 4-6 inches wider on both sides of the frame. If it is not maintained, the narrow curtains will make your window look smaller, making it difficult to control light and thermal insulation.

Decide The Curtain Length From The Rod To The Floor

Once the rod placement is done, decide which curtain length is required. You might need a sill-length, full-length, or apron-length curtain depending on your space and desired aesthetics. To determine the exact length, measure from the top of the rod to the floor. For a modern look, choose the floor-length drapes. For a sleek look and easy operations, go for the sill-length drapes. For a luxurious look, select the puddle length.

Mark The Bracket Positions On The Wall

For installing rods, the brackets must be in their proper position. To mark the correct position of the bracket on the wall, use a measuring tape and mark the bracket’s position a few inches outside the window frame. Trace the screw areas on the bracket. Then use a level to check that it is properly aligned, and follow the same method for positioning the other side of the brackets. After drilling holes, fix the rods.

Attach Hooks to Curtains

Once the rod is installed, the next task is to put on the drapes. Pleated and grommet curtains need rings to be inserted first. See the step below for the perfect attachment of the hooks to the relevant curtains.

Step 1: Insert Hooks Into The Curtain Heading (Pleats Or Fabric Loops)

Pleated curtains have heading tape on the upper and back sides. On tape, there are pockets where hooks will be inserted. While attaching hooks to the drapes, hold one side of the pleated window curtain, and insert the hook in the first pocket. Make sure the pointed end is inserted, while the flat end of the hook will help you hang the hooks on rods. 

Step 2: Ensure Hooks Are Evenly Spaced

Your hooks should be spaced evenly. Too sparse or too close hooks will give a poor aesthetic. Insert the hooks into every 4th or 5th pocket to ensure they are evenly spaced. To make a balance, calculate the number of hooks you need. Then count the number of rings on the rod and divide it by 2. This calculation will give you the number of hooks you need to insert in pockets at equal intervals.

Step 3: Adjust Hook Depth For Proper Drape

For adjusting the hook depth, insert the hooks into the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd pocket of the header tape. Hook depth is the distance from the bottom of your drape to the upper end of the hook. If you want to keep the rods visible, then attach the hooks to the first pockets. Similarly, for a balanced look, attach the hooks to the middle pockets. Inserting the hooks into the third and the lowest pocket will hide the rod and create a modern look.

Hang Curtains on the Rod

After you have attached all the hooks and adjusted the depth, it’s time to fit the rod and hang the curtains on the rods. Let’s have a look at each step for the perfect installation of curtains.

Step 1: Lift The Curtain And Hook Onto The Rings, Eyelets, Or Track

Once all the hooks are inserted, it’s time to lift the drapes and hook them to the fitted hardware (grommet, pleated curtains). The eyelet drapes need no hooks as they directly slide on the rods. For pleated curtains, you can either hang them on rods or hang them directly on poles. For lifting them on poles, insert hooks at the 1st pocket so the pole is visible. Start hanging the hooks on the rods from the middle and go outward. Similarly, follow the steps for the other side.

If you want to fix the curtains on the tracks, insert the hooks in the middle or 3rd pocket so they are attached to the gliders, which will not be visible for a smooth look.

Step 2: Check Alignment And Spacing

After fitting the curtains on the rods, check their alignment and spacing. See them critically, ensure they hang gracefully, and make vertical lines. They look straight with suitable fullness. If the curtain length is misaligned, fix it first for a balanced appearance. Your curtains fall & pool on the ground only if you need a dramatic look. In most cases, the curtains touch the floor for a casual look, with the hooks spaced appropriately. If they are not spaced correctly, they will create a flat, too-gathering look, leaving a negative impression on your room’s aesthetics.

Step 3: Adjust Pleats For Even Appearance

To make your curtain look complete, ensure the pleats and folds are evenly spaced to create a uniform appearance. Use your hands to adjust the folds to your required style. Starting at the upper end and working down to the lower end of the curtain, making the folds manually. They must be uniform and consistent to create an even appearance. Also, open and close the curtains to check out their smooth operation. They must glide effortlessly along the rods without any hassle. 

Final Adjustments and Styling Tips

After hanging curtains, you need to analyse for a professional look and a stylish look. Be relaxed and make some final adjustments.

Ensure Curtains Hang Straight And Even

• Check that each curtain panel is at the same height.
• See whether the hooks are even and equal for each panel.
• If the curtain lengths differ, adjust the hooks to different pockets and get the sized drapes.

Tips For Creating Perfect Folds And Drape

• Good practice is to make the folds with the hands, using equal volumes.
• For a perfect look, press them slightly and leave them in place for a few hours. This will allow your curtain folds to be trained and will prevent them from unfolding easily. 
• To help them remember, tie soft ribbons at three points along the vertical length of the window covers. After a day, untie the ribbons, and you will see that the drapes will hold neat, permanent folds.

Optional: Tiebacks Or Holdbacks For Style

• To enhance the style of your drapes, you can use decorative tiebacks or holdbacks on the sides of your windows. They hold your curtains at both sides, giving them a soft, elegant look.
• For enhanced aesthetics, position the tieback at a height equal to half the length of your drapes.
• Select the tieback colours that match your curtain.
• You can add decorative finials to the rods as a styling tip.
• Double curtain rods for pairing also make your space look luxurious.

Conclusion

Now, everything is clear about the fixing of curtains with hooks. The hooks are simple and flexible, offering the desired lengths, styles, aesthetics, and care options compatible with every decor. The right hook will help you hang the curtains of different heading styles, including pinch pleat, pencil pleat, or flat panels. They are functional with rods or tracks. Because of durability, you can use them for light and heavy drapes.