Wondering how to hang blackout curtains after you’ve read all about what are blackout curtains? Soon it’ll be time to pack up your summer items, and get ready for fall, winter, whatever comes in between. And one of those items might very well be blackout curtains. If you’re like me, you want the light out during the day, but you want to sleep in a dark room at night. Blackout curtains seem like the perfect solution for this problem.
Installing blackout curtains can give a dramatic impact to any room, providing the ultimate solution for daytime sleeping and soundproofing, as well as giving more privacy. Here’s how to hang blackout curtains from a curtain track, using either rings or hooks.
Part 1: How To Measure For Blackout Curtains?
When you’re ready to buy blackout curtains, it can be a little overwhelming. There are so many options and styles, and sometimes it can feel like you need an advanced degree in curtain science to figure out what’s best for your space.
But we’re here to help! We’ve assembled this handy guide of how to size blackout curtains so that you can get started on your next project with confidence.
Measure The Length
The first thing you need to do when measuring for blackout curtains is to measure the length of your window. It’s easy to overlook this step, but it’s crucial—you can’t hang your curtains without knowing how long they need to be!
Sill Length
The sill length is the measurement of where your curtain will hang. This means that it’s the exact length from the top of your window frame to where you want your curtain to hang—not including any additional length for a valance or other decorative piece.
Apron Length
The apron length is the measurement of where your curtain will be attached to your window frame, and it’s typically about an inch shorter than the sill length. This means it should be about an inch shorter than where your curtain will hang when it’s all said and done.
Floor Length
To measure the floor length, you’ll want to measure from one side of your window to the other. If you have a standard size window, this will be easy. If not, all is not lost, you can still measure it! Just take measurements from either side of where your window would be and add them together. That will give you an approximate idea of how long the floor length curtain should be for your space.
Trouser Break Length
The best way to measure for your curtains is to take a pair of trousers that are the same length as you want your curtains to be. Then, lay the trousers flat on the floor, and measure from the bottom of one trouser leg straight down to the floor.
If you want your curtains to hang about 5 inches below your window, take off 5 inches from whatever measurement you came up with above.
Puddle Length
The puddle length is how much fabric will hang over the sides of your window when you pull your curtains closed. Add 6 to 12 inches to your Rod to Floor measurement. If you want more drama in your room, go for 12 inches; if you want more subtlety, go for 6 inches instead! This is because Puddle curtains are meant to hang over the window frame a bit, and the excess fabric will create a puddle on the floor.
Measure The Curtain Rod Length
The first step in measuring the curtain rod length is to measure from your curtain rod brackets to the center of your window. If you have a bay window, this will be different for each side of the bay. You should also measure the width of each panel of your curtains and add 2 inches to ensure that you have enough fabric to cover them. This will ensure that you can get a nice, tight fit around your windows and doors.
The second step is to measure from the bottom of your brackets to the floor. You’ll want this measurement to be about 10 inches less than your finished height because it will allow for any gap between curtains and floors as well as provide additional space so that they don’t feel too short when pulled closed.
Buy a New Curtain Rod If Yours is Very Thin
If you have a standard-sized curtain rod, then measuring the length is simple. Just open up the blinds or drapes and measure from the top of one side to the bottom of the other. Then add another half inch for wiggle room (you don’t want to accidentally crush your new curtains!).
But if you have a very thin curtain rod, say, less than an inch in diameter then measuring isn’t so easy. You’ll have to measure from one end to another while holding up your curtain rod between them, then subtract about an inch from that number because it won’t fit through the hole in your wall if it’s too long.
The good news is that if you buy a new curtain rod, it should come with instructions on how long to cut it! If not… well… just do your best!
Get A Return Rod If You Want To Keep Light From Entering From The Sides
If you’re looking to install blackout curtains, you’re probably wondering what to do about the return rod.
The return rod is the piece of hardware that holds your curtains in place when they’re open. It’s important to get a return rod if you want to keep light from entering from the sides—it’ll block out light from coming in through gaps between curtains and walls.
You can also choose not to use a return rod if you don’t mind letting some light in through those gaps or if you want a more open look, but keep in mind that your blackout curtains won’t be as effective as they would be with one.
To learn how to hang blackout curtains correctly, it is necessary to know how to hang curtain rods. Our hanging guide can help you spend less time.
Multiply Rod Length By Our Recommended Fullness (1.5/1.75/2)
When you’re looking to buy blackout curtains, you’ll want to make sure that they fit your window perfectly. One of the most important measurements is the rod length, because this will determine how much fullness you’ll get in your curtain.
The best way to measure for your rod length is by multiplying it by one of our recommended fullness values: 1.5 times for a fully-lined curtain, 1.75 times for a semi-lined curtain, and 2 times for an unlined curtain.
For example, if you have a standard window with an inside width of 36 inches and an outside width of 48 inches, then the rod length would be (36×1.5) 72 inches long. Your fullness would be 2 times that: 144 inches in total!
Part 2: Look For Curtains That Are 100% Blackout
We’ve all been there: you’re trying to sleep, but the sun is streaming into your room and ruining your life. You want to close the blinds, but then you’ll never see what’s going on outside. The solution? Blackout curtains!
But not all blackout curtains are created equal: some are made with a thin fabric that lets in too much light; others have weak magnets or zippers that don’t properly seal them against the window frame; and still others just aren’t quite thin enough to ensure complete darkness even after they’re closed all the way.
When shopping for your own blackout curtains, look for ones that are 100% blackout that means no light passes through at all. This will give you peace of mind knowing that no matter how hard someone tries, they won’t be able to sneak a peek at what’s going on in your room!
Choose Blackout Curtains in a Dark Color
It’s important to choose dark colors for these curtains. Light colors will reflect light from outside, which will make it even harder for you to sleep. Dark colors will absorb the light instead, keeping your room dark and helping you fall asleep faster.
If you’re looking for blackout curtains in a dark color, we recommend choosing black or brown. These colors not only look great but also help keep your room dark so that no matter where you are sleeping in your home, you’ll be able to get a good night’s rest!
TheHues Custom Blackout Curtain
Are you looking for custom made curtains?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. TheHues is here to help you find the perfect curtains for your home or business. We offer a wide range of options for both our soundproof and thermal insulated curtains, as well as our blackout curtains.
Whether you’re looking for a simple window curtain or something more elaborate, we have what you need. Our custom 3 layer soundproof and thermal insulated 100% blackout curtains are great for blocking out noise from outside your home or office. They are available in various sizes to match any window in your space. On top of that, they are 100% blackout so that light won’t shine through when it’s dark outside either!
For those who want even more insulation than just blocking out noise and light, we also offer 4 layer anti dust and soundproof curtains which are just as effective at keeping heat inside during winter months but also block out any dust particles from coming into your home or office too! These curtains will keep everything safe from dust mites which can be harmful to people with allergies or asthma problems so it’s important to take precautions against these invaders too!
We have many different styles and colors available!