How to Hang Grommet Curtains & Drapes
7 Easy Steps to Hang Grommet Curtains
If you browse through the window treatments section at your local home decorating store, don’t be surprised if you see a substantial selection of grommet-topped curtains & drapes. Their crisp lines, modern appeal, and affordable price tag have made them a favorite in today’s home décor from the living room to the bedroom. Plus, you won’t have to buy additional rings or hooks to hang them with—the hardware is built right in with no rod pockets to thread through.
Beyond the functional purpose of grommet drapes for room darkening to block out natural light, they can be an interior decorator’s best friend. The colors and styles are endless to update your home decor.
There are a couple different ways to hang grommet curtains. We’ll walk you through a few easy steps to hang them.
But first, create a Pinterest board or folder of magazine cutouts for inspiration. Window styling is a vast, versatile subject. Narrow the field of possibilities with images that inspire you. It’s always better to shop with an idea of what you’re looking for. Print out a picture of your room and take it with you.
If you are still struggling with ideas, check out our article on selecting curtains & window treatments for every room in the house.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED HANG GROMMET DRAPES:
- A tape measure
- Grommet curtain panels
- Pole-style grommet curtain rod based on measurement
- Brackets/drapery hooks and finials for curtain or drapery rod
- Stepladder
- Pencil
Read through these steps in advance to learn how to measure for grommet drapes and curtains. Take measurements before you purchase your curtain panels and curtain rod. Be sure to measure from the top edge of your window. For more information, read How To Measure a Window for Drapes.
Then, see how easy it is to hang grommet curtains in your home. If you’re wondering how to hang grommet curtains with sheers, simply buy a grommet double rod and use the same measurements for the sheers.
STEP 1: Measure the width of your window.
Once you have the width of your window frame, double it to know how wide your grommet curtains should be. If you were to only get the width of the window, it would look like a solid piece of fabric hanging in front of the window. By doubling the width you will have plenty of fabric to hang in neat, long pleats. Styling tip: iron the fabric to create sharp pinch pleats.
STEP 2: Determine your curtain rod length.
What size rod do you need for your grommet curtains? Since you already know the width of your window, just add an additional 8 inches to that measurement for single windows or an additional 14 inches for double windows. The additional length allows for space on each side of the window for the fabric to hang when it is pulled to the sides. It also creates the illusion of a bigger window.
STEP 3: Determine curtain rod diameter.
Measure the grommet opening on your curtain panels, not including the metal rim, then subtract ½ inch from that number. This is the maximum curtain rod diameter that you can choose. Choose finials that complement your grommet curtain style and room décor.
STEP 4: Determine the number of panels you need.
Make sure that the fullness of your curtains is about twice the width of the window. So if your window is 50” wide, you will want 100” of panel curtains. It is important to keep your window balanced. So if you put two panels on one side, then put two panels on the other side as well.
STEP 5: Measure the height of your window.
How high should you hang your curtains? Using your stepladder and tape measure, measure the distance from the top of your window molding, then go up 2-4 inches. This will be the height of your curtain rod. Keep in mind that the standard length of grommet panels is 84”, although longer lengths are also available. Generally, grommet curtains just go to the floor.
STEP 6: Hang the curtain rod.
Mark the center point where your curtain rod will hang. Install the brackets according to directions.
PRO TIP: Use a level to keep the rod straight and even. You might want to enlist the help of a friend for this part.
STEP 7: Thread and arrange the curtains.
Thread the curtain rod through the grommets of each panel similar to how you’d do a shower curtain. Then hold the curtains rod so the right side of the curtains is facing out. Fasten the curtain to the brackets and screw on the finials to the ends of the curtain rod. Arrange the curtains as desired. Tip: Buy extra panels for more pleats and folds and a richer, luxurious look.
Need more help with curtain & drape measurements?
We have a more in-depth look at how to measure a window for curtains. As always, share your tips, ideas, and questions in the comments below. We’d love to see pictures of your grommet panels!
Looking for curtains?
Country Door has a wide variety of colors, styles, and lengths of curtains, drapes, and valances that will accentuate your windows. Take your time, browse and build a look all your own.
Comments (18)
Charlie
How far from the wall should a bracket extend from the wall for grometted curtains
red slider
Much easier way than measuring, using templates, punching individual holes, etc. Just cut your fabric to the size opening you want to cover and fold your material into pleats of the width you want the pleats to be, each fold will be the same size, except the first and last if you want some extra overlap on each side. Decide how much margin you want on the top and locate the center for your grommet accordingly on that first fold. Then just punch a hole through all of the pleats at once. They will all be at the same distance from each other and at your desired distance from the top. Set your grommets and you’re done.
Kathleen J Hackford
Just purchased Grommet top curtains for bedroom windows. 50×63 each panel.Window measures 67 wide as its actually two awning style windows side by side. As the curtains total 100 inches when hanging, is it wrong not to hang more? Do you necessarily need fullness?
Kat Rogers
I have grommet valances. I had to have four panels per window. What is a no sew way to keep light from showing between panels?
Country Door
Hello Kat,
There are a couple different ways to attach curtains together without sewing. You could use fabric staples or an ironable fabric webbing such as Stitch Witchery.
Warmest Wishes,
The Country Door Team
Lisa Adams
Or you can hang them so where the panels meet they overlap. At the end of one panel and the beginning of the next. Take the last grommet of the first panel and place it in a U behind the first grommet of the second panel. It leaves no gaps, looks seamless, and best of all, No sewing!!!
Deborah Franklin
Hello Lisa
What do you mean when you say place the grommet in a “U”? I am having my Rod installed tomorrow. I look forward to your response. Thanks much.
Byron Coulter
I am looking for a mechanism to open and close grommet-hung drapes without having to manually pull them or use a wand/stick whatever. Is there such a mechanism?
Country Door
Hi Byron, A few companies make motorized curtain rods although we have not tried them. They can be expensive depending on how much you customize them. For a less expensive (and manual) solution, there is always a drapery rod. Thanks for your question! Let us know if you try the motorized curtains.
Sharol
Jackie is asking the exact same question that I have. Are you kidding me? No one has addressed this issue before? We have to make and fake our own curtain rod if we want our grommet curtain to pull to one side of a sliding glass door? Jackie, if Country Door is correct, I’ll probably rethink everything and hang a pinch pleat curtain on a traverse rod. That way there can be a middle bracket and the curtain will be attached below the rod.
Country Door
Hi Sharol, Thanks for your interest in this subject. Hanging curtains more than 5 or 6-feet wide without a center bracket is tricky. We recommended a heavier rod as an affordable solution that won’t sag in the middle and will eliminate catching on the center bracket. We also know many people like the industrial look so popular today so it’s a double win. Traverse rods work as well as you mentioned. They tend to have a higher cost. Thanks for responding. We always love to hear your ideas!
Yoli
Hi my sons window is 108 inches wide . can you glue the middle support bracket to the sliding glass door top instead of drilling a hole. my sons window is 108 inches but will add four panel to the window and i know it will sag. May try to buy a heavier metal rod but thinks he may still need some support panels are 52 inches wide for slidng door is the width too wide for two panels on each side.
Country Door
Hi Yoli, Thanks for your question. There are several different options. First, you could hang the curtains higher than the window if you are trying to avoid drilling a hole into the window frame. It sounds like you too are trying to avoid a center bracket. Anything wider than 5 or 6 feet will require a stronger pipe or rod to avoid sagging. As mentioned in the previous comment, if you are a DIYer this is a great hardware store project. But if you do not want to mess with a hardware store project, you can install pleated drapes on a traverse rod. This is usually more expensive. It all depends on your budget! Thanks for the question.
Jackie
How do you hang grommet curtains for a sliding door that only has one panel so that the bracket in the center doesn’t catch on you’re grommet when you open it up fully it gets stuck on the middle bracket how do you avoid this
Country Door
Hi! If I understand your question, you have a wide door to cover but want to be able to pull the curtains completely to one side? If so, the biggest problem is sagging in the middle. Your best solution would probably be to buy a metal rod from a hardware store instead of a standard curtain rod. You would want to match your curtain rod diam. Most major hardware stores will cut pipe for you. There will be an opening on each end. You can creatively cover these with decorative finials using a strong glue such as E6000. You can always spray paint the pipe to match your décor. Just make sure the pipe is big enough to hold the weight of your curtain. This may necessitate you buying bigger brackets. Thanks for your question!
Tetra Window Cleaning
This made life so much easier! thanks!
Country Door
You are very welcome! Please visit our blog again for more helpful tips!
Thanks for Sharing,
Your Country Door Team
home and family crafts
Great site. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you in your effort!