How to put up a curtain pole

Blinds, curtains, panels or even stickers can be used to dress your windows and personalise the style of your décor.

When choosing accessories, it is important to bear in mind that the main reason is to optimise light while still achieving the desired intimate atmosphere. Curtains and voile curtains are the most common types of covering for windows, and while some curtain rods can be installed with adhesive hooks or via a self-locking system, the classic installation method is drilling and using wall plugs.

Steps

1. Positioning the pole and taking measurements

2. Assessing your surface

3. Drilling and fitting fixing plugs

4. Installing the pole

Whether you're looking to install your curtains on the ceiling or on a wall, the process is pretty much the same. In both cases you'll need a stepladder to reach the top of your window safely. The length of your curtain pole must match the width of the window with around 15 to 25 cm extra at each end to cover the full length of your window. Start by following the steps below:

• Unpack your kit and put together any parts that require assembling. Feed the curtain rings or eyelets onto the pole and position the pole and curtains over the window. If the curtain is heavy, place one side of the pole on your shoulder. This will help you to determine the height of your curtain pole.

• Mark out the height at which you want to install your pole.

• Remove the curtains from the pole and put the curtain pole back up to the position you have chosen. Centre your pole over the window and check everything is level before marking out the position of your brackets using a pencil.

• An easier way to do this is to attach a spirit level to the pole with tape.

• The same method applies when measuring a curtain pole for French doors or a bay window.

• If your brackets are too far from each other to measure them up by eye, you will have to measure the distance from the ground to the ceiling and mark out their position this way.

• Install the first bracket using a screw and check that everything is level before drilling in the second bracket (however, you'll often find that things aren't perfectly level, plumb or square in the first place).

• Once you have checked that your curtain pole is level once more, you can mark out the final position of your brackets.

When it comes to choosing your fixing plugs, keep the weight of the pole and curtains in mind.

A plastic fixing plug will usually do the job. However, if you are installing your pole on plasterboard or a hollow partition wall, you'll need an expansion plug (or Molly plug).

Check that your drill bits, plugs and screws all match in terms of diameter. This is usually indicated on the packaging of the fixing plugs.

You may want to put up a double curtain pole to install voile behind your curtains.

Drill into the holes that you've marked using the right size of drill bit (according to the diameter required for the fixing plug). If you have a vacuum cleaner, use it to remove dust and debris from the hole.

• Insert the plastic plug into the hole. If you are using an expansion plug, fix it in place using a setting tool.

• You should be able to push the fixing plug about halfway into the hole by hand. A hammer will be required to push it into its final position.

• Fitting your drill with a depth stop will ensure that your hole is not too shallow nor too deep.

Another technique is to drill the wall at each end of the curtain pole and mount the brackets using a single screw. You can then use a small drill bit to back drill the other holes through the brackets. Take everything down then gradually make the holes wider until you reach the diameter of the fixing plugs.

• Put the plugs and screws in place and position the curtain pole.

• Check that everything is level and centred correctly. If everything looks good, take your pole down one last time to feed your curtain rings or eyelets onto the pole.

• Tighten the bracket screws to prevent the pole from moving.

• Don't forget to place the decorative pole ends onto each end of the pole.

• Finally, even out the curtain pleats to finish off the job.

Required skills

Installing a curtain pole should be a quick and easy task. The only real skills involved are using a drill, taking measurements and choosing the right fixing plugs for your surface. You'll also have to be comfortable working from a step stool or stepladder.

Time required

approx. 30 mins - 1 hour

Number of people required

1 person

Tools and accessories

• A stepladder or step stool

• A pencil or pen

• A tape measure

• A drill (with hammer mode, if necessary)

• The correct drill bit for your fixing plug

• A vacuum cleaner to clear up any dust

• A spirit level

• A cutting knife

• A hammer

• A screwdriver or impact driver with bits

• A pipe, cable and stud detector (if you don't know what's behind your wall)

• Fixing plugs and screws

• A curtain pole with brackets

• Safety goggles

• A protective mask

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Dust mask

• Safety goggles

Please note: this is a non-exhaustive list; be sure to match your personal protective equipment to the job at hand.