You'll need screws and wall-anchors, a screwdriver, a level, a power drill, a ladder, a tape measure, a pencil, and your curtain rod which usually comes with corresponding brackets and hardware.
Start by selecting a position for your brackets. The closer to the ceiling you place the curtain rod, the higher your ceiling will look and the more spacious your room will appear. For the illusion of wider windows, you'll want to place the brackets several inches away from the sides of the window frame. Then, use your level to mark a line so that your curtain rod will hang evenly.
Once you've decided on the placement of the brackets, hold one bracket up and lightly mark the top of the bracket and the holes where the screws will go. Then, if you're using wall anchors, screw them into the marks where your screws will go.
Don't worry if you chip the paint a bit because the bracket will cover it up. Now, attach the bracket by screwing in the top screw first, followed by the others, being careful not to over-tighten. Next, erase all your pencil marks. Repeat these steps for each bracket.
Be careful not put too much weight on the rod at once.
If Your Curtain is Wrinkled
Depending on type of fabric, here some tricks of the trade before you try a steam iron or a clothes steamer. Try putting your curtain in the dryer with a dryer sheet for 15 minutes and remove promptly while it's still hot. If the curtain is not too heavy, hang it over shower rod for ten minutes while you run a hot shower to steam up the bathroom. Spread the curtain out on your bed and smooth out any wrinkles by hand before hanging it.
If Your Curtains are Heavy or if the Curtain Rod is Long
Be sure your curtain rod will support the weight of the curtains. If your curtains are very heavy or the curtain rod is longer than 48 inches, you will need a center bracket for additional support.
To Make Sure the Curtains Hang Evenly
If you live in a new construction home, using the level as directed should do the trick. If, however, your home is a bit older, you need to keep in mind that your home may have settled and walls and ceilings might not be in perfect balance. In this case, don't worry if the level tells you that you're a little off -- the most important thing is to keep the curtain rod in line with the rest of the room.
STUDS AND FASTENERS
To mount something on a wall, you have to choose which fasteners to use.
First try to locate studs in your wall. (Studs allow you to install something securely so you don't mount something onto a hollow section of your wall.) You can run a stud finder tool along the wall that will alert you where the studs are located. You can also use a tape measure; if you have studs, you should hit one every 16 inches out from the corner.
If you find studs and they match up with where you want to place your fasteners, you can drill your fasteners directly into the studs.
If you can't locate studs, or if the positioning you want does not match up with where the studs are in the wall, you will need some universal, self-drilling hollow wall fasteners. This type of fastener saves you from having to insert individual anchors into each hole. Drill these fasteners directly into the wall. Then install your hardware into them, just as if you were going directly into a stud.
WHAT'S A PILOT HOLE?
A "pilot hole" creates a nice, straight track for you to drill a larger hole. You create a pilot hole by drilling with your smaller drill bit on the spot you want, and then switching to a larger drill bit.
