DIY Hanging Curtains Without Rods [The 21 Most Creative Ways]

Are you looking for diy hanging curtains without rods ideas?

Curtains are one of the most affordable ways to dress up a room. When hung correctly, they make your ceilings appear sky-high. They also bring extraordinary warmth, texture, and color to the space. Who knew hanging a piece of fabric at the side of the window could do so much?

Now, you know why you want to hang curtains, but how? Traditional curtain rods are great unless you can’t muck up the wall or want more creative ways to put up your window treatments.

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Just a quick heads-up: Everything in this post reflects my genuine opinions and recommendations, but it’s not a substitute for professional advice. To keep this content free, I use ads and include affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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How to Hang Curtains Without Rods

Serial re-decorators, new homeowners, and renters alike can all use these 21 creative ways to hang curtains without a curtain rod. Some ideas are quirky than others. But these innovative ways to hang curtains are certainly less permanent and less drilling (for some, not all), and less traditional. 

• Tap in brackets
• Upholstery tacks
• Hook-eye screws and drapery pins
• Staples and furring strips
• Command hooks (or other adhesive hooks)
• Self-adhesive pleated shades
• Tension rods
• Magnetic curtain rods

Here are additional ideas for hanging curtains without rods, but these need a bracket which you must drill into the wall:

• Coat hooks
• Cabinet knobs
• Drawer pulls
• Shower curtain rods
• Copper pipes
• Curtain rings
• PVC pipes
• Hockey sticks
• Golf clubs
• Baseball bats
• Tree branches
• Rope

Can You Hang Curtains with Command Strips?

Command strips are the perfect solution for hanging curtains without a rod because they won’t damage walls. These are ideal for renters since your landlord will never know you hung anything on the wall if you remove the command strip correctly. 

I hate nothing more about renting than how restricted you are with decorating. You can’t paint, hang pictures, or do anything that would leave a mark on any surface because if you do, you’re at risk of losing your security deposit.

These bad boys have come a long way over the years. I remember when all you could find was the white ones, but options are more plentiful these days. Command strips come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and weights each strip holds.

I recommend finding something that either blends in with your wall or the fabric of your curtains. By doing this, your eye will remain on the beauty of the curtains and not the hook holding them up.

Can I hang Curtains without Drilling Holes?

I am a serial re-decorator and have no shame in admitting it. If you, too, love to change and re-style decor, or live in a space where you can’t drill holes in the wall, then these diy hanging curtains without rods are for you.

After renovating for close to 8 months, the last thing I wanted to do was put holes into my freshly plastered and painted wall. But we also lived in the village, and something had to block bypasses from peaking in. This was when I discovered hanging curtains without drilling a hole in the wall is possible. 

The best option for a situation like this is tap in brackets. This product is quite genius, like why didn’t I think of inventing something like this? You will be amazed at how fast these are to install and how much weight these no-drill brackets can hold.

Check out tap brackets for no drill curtain hanging here:

Best Type of Curtains to Hang Without a Rod

Something you need to consider when hanging curtains is their weight. Depending on the curtain type, they can be light as a feather or heavy as a bad conscience.

Sheer curtains are an example of the most lightweight curtains available. Blackout curtains are an example of the heaviest curtains because this style is double the fabric and is nice and thick to block light from entering.

Heavy curtains also happen when the material is thick such as velvet, corduroy, denim, canvas, or duck cloth.

How Do You Hang Heavy Curtains Without a Rod?

Totally! There are plenty of alternative ways to a real curtain rod to hang heavy curtains. The best way to hang heavy curtains without a rod is to use a stud finder and make sure you drill your support into the stud; If there is no stud nearby, then use a drywall anchor. Then your options are endless for what you use instead of a traditional rod. 

Can Your Use a Tension Rod as a Curtain Rod?

Absolutely! And I recommend it if you are concerned about wall damage. And if you’re hanging something relatively lightweight. A tension rod will be unable to keep heavier fabrics up for long.

Tension rods come in various widths, but what makes them so incredibly versatile is how you can customize the width by twisting the rod. A traditional curtain rod mounts outside your window, unlike a tension rod that mounts inside the window frame. 

The rod itself is lightweight and holds the curtains up by tension between the window frame and two rubber ends. You might wonder if these ends could damage your walls, but they won’t. Tension rods are installed and removed in seconds and don’t leave a trace.

Measuring for Curtains Without Rods

Measuring for curtains without a rod is no different than using a rod. Just as with every diy project, a tape measure and accurate measurements are the key to having things turn out in real life just as they do in your mind. 

Measuring the width of your window will help you determine how many curtain panels you need. The number of panels also depends if you are planning to open and close the curtains. Or if you are hanging them for aesthetics, in this case, you should only need one panel for each side of the window. 

To determine the height, I recommend you use the tallest curtains your ceilings will allow. Hanging curtains like this allude to your room being taller than it actually is.

Benefits of Hanging Curtains Without a Rod

Using an alternative to the traditional curtain rod, particularly ones that are also a no-drill method, saves your walls from damage. Preventing wall damage is the most common reason people seek an alternative to this style.

Renters can appreciate this since you must be careful not to leave marks on the wall. Homeowners with plaster walls also know to be cautious with their walls because of their delicate.

Another reason not to use a traditional curtain rod is aesthetics. You won’t have that straight line across the top of the window when you don’t use a conventional curtain rod.

I’ve always wondered why this style is most popular for exactly this reason – the odd line smack dab right in the middle of your window. So, not using this style of curtain rod eliminates this look.

Using Sports Equipment as a Curtain Rod

Using sports equipment is a creative way to hang curtains in a boy’s bedroom. This unique look also would be great for a game room or man-cave-type space.

It’s also inexpensive since you either have extra equipment lying around or can snag some at the second-hand store for cheap. 

Here are some creative ideas for using sports equipment in place of a curtain rod:

• Hockey sticks
• Golf clubs
• Baseball bats
• Lacrosse stick

To add to the sports theme, you can then attach the coordinating sports ball to the end of a curtain tie-back. Golf balls, baseballs, lacrosse balls, but maybe not a hockey puck, would all work for this added touch!

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So, which one of these DIY hanging curtains without rods will you use? Leave a comment telling me your favorite idea!

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