How to Hang Curtains Without Drilling

Co-authored by Angelica Savard and Kyle Hall

If you don't want to damage your walls or are renting a place where modifications aren't allowed, it might seem like hanging up curtains isn't an option. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to hang curtains without having to drill holes in your walls. You can use adhesive hooks or a tension rod to hang up curtains without a drill.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Adhesive Hooks

1
Purchase adhesive hooks that can hold the weight of your curtains. Adhesive hooks come in different weight capacities, and you'll want to make sure the hooks you get are strong enough to hold up your curtains and curtain rod so they don't fall. Generally, adhesive hooks that can hold up to 16 pounds (7.3 kg) should work.^{[1]
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- You'll need 2 adhesive hooks per pair of curtains you want to hang up.
- You can find adhesive hooks online or at your local hardware store.
- Since you'll be using 2 adhesive hooks, each hook only needs to hold half of the weight of your curtains. For example, if your curtains and curtain rod weigh 32 pounds (15 kg) in total, you would need 2 adhesive hooks that can hold up to 16 pounds (7.3 kg) each.
- Many adhesive hook brands have stylized versions, made with steel or wood rather than plastic. Opt for these varieties if the aesthetic of your curtains is important to you.
2
Cut a right angle out of a piece of cardboard. Draw a square at least 2 in (5.1 cm) wide in the corner of the piece of cardboard. Then, cut it out with scissors to create a right angle.^{[2]
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- You'll use the piece of cardboard with the right angle in the corner to mark where you want to hang up your adhesive hooks so they're level with each other.
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3
Align the cardboard with the window corner and mark the bottom of a hook on it. The corner of the window should be aligned with the right angle you cut out of the cardboard. Hold one of the adhesive hooks over the cardboard where you want to hang it, and mark the bottom of it on the cardboard with a pencil.^{[3]
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4
Push a pencil through the mark on the cardboard to mark the wall. Keep the cardboard aligned with the corner of the window while you puncture it with the pencil. You want the mark on the wall to be directly behind the mark on the cardboard.^{[4]
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- Try twisting and pressing on the pencil simultaneously to puncture the cardboard.
5
Turn the cardboard over and mark the same spot on the other window corner. Align the right angle on the cardboard with the other side of the window, and use the pencil to make a mark through the hole you punctured in it.
- Now you should have a mark on each side of the window to show you where to hang your adhesive hooks. The marks should be level.
6
Align the hooks with the marks and press them in for 30 seconds. Take the adhesive strip off of the back of your hooks and press them firmly on the wall so the marks you made are lined up with the bottoms of the hooks.^{[5]
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- Make sure you press on the hooks for 30 seconds so the adhesive sticks.
7
Let the adhesive on the hooks dry for at least 30 minutes. The adhesive on the hooks needs time to dry before it's secure. If you try to hang your curtains on the hooks too soon, they might fall down.^{[6]
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- The exact amount of time you should wait may vary depending on the kind of adhesive hooks you're using. Refer to the packaging for specific instructions.
8
Place your curtain rod on the hooks and test how well it holds. Your curtain rod should balance perfectly on the hooks. If it slides or tilts in one direction, the hooks might not be level. Try removing one of the hooks and checking to see that the marks are level.^{[7]
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9
String your curtain on the curtain rod and hang it up. Run the curtain rod through the hoops at the top of your curtains and then hang it up again. Draw the curtains and let them sit for 1 hour to make sure the adhesive hooks can hold the weight.^{[8]
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- If your curtain falls, either the adhesive didn't fully stick to the wall or your curtain may be too heavy for the hooks. Consider buying higher-weight capacity hooks, or use 2 adjacent hooks on each side to balance the weight a little better.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Setting Up a Tension Rod

1
Measure from one side of the window to the other. Start at the inner edge of the window frame and measure to the opposite inner edge to get the window's width. You'll use the width to purchase to the right size tension rod for your curtains.^{[9]
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2
Buy a tension rod that will fit inside your window. Tension rods have a spring mechanism inside of them that creates tension when the ends of the rod are pressed against a window frame. If the rod is too short, there won't be enough tension, and if the rod is too long, there will be too much tension. Tension rods generally list a window size range on the packaging, so look for one that will work based on the width of your window.^{[10]
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- You can find tension rods online or at your local hardware store.
- If you have particularly heavy curtains, you may want to try adhesive strips instead of a tension rod. A tension rod is best for small, lightweight curtains.
3
Adjust the tension rod so it's slightly longer than the width of your window. The right way to adjust the length of your tension rod will depend on the model you're using, but generally, you'll pull or twist on the rod. You want the tension rod to be slightly longer than the width of your window so there's enough tension to hold it in place.^{[11]
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- If you're not sure how to adjust the length of your tension rod, refer to the instructions that came with it.
4
Insert the rod into the window frame and mark where each end is. Use a pencil to draw a circle around each end of the tension rod where it pushes into the frame. Use a level to make sure the rod is even before you make your marks.^{[12]
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5
Take down the rod and hang your curtains on it. Slide the hoops or fasteners on your curtains onto the rod. Make sure all of the panels you want to use are on and facing the right direction since you'll need to take the tension rod down if you want to adjust them.^{[13]
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- If your curtains have clips instead of hoops, you don't need to take the tension rod down to hang them up.
6
Hang up the tension rod and curtains. Insert the tension rod into the frame so the ends are aligned with the marks you made earlier. If the rod doesn't feel secure, you may need to take it down and adjust it so it's longer and there's more tension.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can I use command strips to hang things on my wall?

Angelica Savard
Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
Angelica Savard is a Home Stager, Realtor, and Interior Designer based in Long Beach, California. She is also the Co-owner of Elegant Domain Interiors LLC, a business that offers design consulting, home staging, and window treatments. She has over 15 years of interior design and consulting experience. She earned a BA from California State University Long Beach with an emphasis on Interior Architectural Design.

Angelica Savard

Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Command strips are okay for very lightweight items. However, for heavier items like mirrors or framed photos I recommend using nails and a hammer.
Question

Can you hang curtains without anchors?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

The easiest way is to use adhesive hooks. Adhesive hooks come in different weight capacities, and you'll want to make sure the hooks you get are strong enough to hold up your curtains and curtain rod so they don't fall. Generally, adhesive hooks that can hold up to 16 pounds (7.3 kg) should work. Use a ruler or tape measure to measure a straight line and mark where you want to place your hooks on the wall. Take the adhesive strip off of the back of your hooks and press them firmly on the wall so the marks you made are lined up with the bottoms of the hooks. Let the adhesive on the hooks dry for at least 30 minutes. Then, you can hang your curtain rod on the hooks and attach your curtains to them.
Question

How can I hang curtains with nails?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

A tension rod is a great way to put up curtains without having to drill or nail anything! Tension rods have a spring mechanism inside of them that creates tension when the ends of the rod are pressed against a window frame. If the rod is too short, there won't be enough tension, and if the rod is too long, there will be too much tension. Tension rods generally list a window size range on the packaging, so look for one that will work based on the width of your window. Measure one side of your window to the other starting at the inner edge of the window frame. That'll give you accurate measurements to make sure you get the right-sized rod. Adjust the tension rod so it's slightly longer than the width of your window, then insert the rod into the window frame and mark where each end is. You can then take the rod out, slide your curtains over the rod, and then install it in the window frame.