How to put up a curtain pole

• TimeAbout 1 hour
• DifficultyEasy to moderate
• People1, easier with 2

You will need

• Curtain pole kit with brackets, rings and finials from curtain poles and blinds
• Wall fixings to suit your wall from wall plugs and anchors, and screws if the kit's fixings do not suit your wall
• Drill with masonry and HSS drill bits
• Spirit level, tape measure and pencil, from measuring and levelling
• Cable and pipe detector
• Screwdriver, eye protection and a dust mask
• Stable step ladder

Step 1: Decide the width and height

Width

Measure the width of the window frame or recess. A pole that extends beyond the frame on each side lets curtains stack back off the glass when open, letting in more light and making the window look larger. A common approach is to extend the pole roughly 15cm to 20cm past the frame on each side, but adjust for the space available, nearby walls and radiators, and the fullness of your curtains.

Height

Brackets are often fixed around 10cm to 15cm above the top of the window frame. Fixing higher can make a room feel taller, but the curtains must be long enough. If you already have curtains, measure from the top of the curtain (or the bottom of the rings) to the length you want, and work the bracket height out from that.

Number of brackets

Poles longer than the maker specifies for two brackets need a centre support to stop them sagging. Check the instructions supplied with your pole and position the centre bracket where it will not block the curtain rings, usually with the rings split either side of it.

Step 2: Check the wall above the window

The wall directly above a window is often the hardest place in a house to drill. There is usually a lintel spanning the opening, which may be concrete, steel or timber, and it can be just below the plaster surface. Concrete lintels need a sharp masonry bit and steady pressure; steel lintels may need a metal drill bit and suitable self-tapping screws, or you may prefer to fix the brackets higher, above the lintel, or to the side of the window. In timber-framed walls, look for the timber header above the opening. If you are unsure what is above your window, our guide which wall plug for which wall explains how to identify the wall type.

Scan the area with a detector before drilling. Cables can run near windows for lights and sockets, and pipes may run nearby.

Step 3: Mark the bracket positions

1. Mark the centre line of the window on the wall above it.
2. Measure out from the centre to each end bracket position and mark them at the chosen height.
3. Use a spirit level across the marks to make sure they are level with each other. Measuring up from the window frame alone can lead to a sloping pole if the frame is not perfectly level.
4. Hold each bracket in place and mark its fixing holes. Mark the centre bracket last.

Step 4: Drill and fix the brackets

1. Drill through the plaster on normal rotation, then use hammer action only once in masonry. Use the drill size given on the wall plug pack.
2. Clean out the holes, push in the wall plugs flush with the surface, and screw the brackets on firmly.
3. In plasterboard, use fixings designed for plasterboard or, better, fix into the timber frame around the window.
4. Check the brackets are level and secure before loading them.

Step 5: Fit the pole, rings and curtains

1. Slide the rings onto the pole, keeping one ring outside each end bracket to hold the curtain edge in place, if your pole design allows.
2. Rest the pole in the brackets and tighten any grub screws that lock it in place.
3. Fit the finials on each end.
4. Hang the curtains, either by hooking them onto the ring eyelets or, for eyelet curtains, threading the pole through the eyelets before fitting it.

Curtain pole or curtain track?

Poles are a decorative feature in their own right and are easy to fit. Tracks are discreet, can bend around bay windows and may suit heavy curtains, but they are usually more involved to install. Browse our curtain poles and blinds range to compare options.