Advice to help hang curtains with ease

Q: The windows in my new apartment have curtain brackets installed on either side of all the windows, but they are either warped or broken. I’m not very confident that I can put up new brackets. Any tips? — Sarah, via email

A: Sure. Tip one: don’t be nervous about placing new brackets. Tip two: measure twice, cut (or drill) once. Putting up outside-mounted curtains can seem difficult, but it’s a great home-improvement project for beginners that can boost confidence while making your apartment considerably more awesome.

You’ll need a few simple tools: a tape measure (one of the big locking ones is ideal) and a level (very inexpensive, but indispensible for getting the brackets set up in line). Buy a corded power drill, or borrow one from a friend, along with a set of drill bits. And keep one flathead and one Phillips-head screwdriver on hand, too. You’ll also need a small ladder or stepladder to work safely.

Measure the height that the curtains must reach. If you want floor-length curtains, measure from the floor to the top of the window molding (the wooden “frame” around the window opening). Add about 4 to 6 inches to that measurement to get the correct height of curtains you need. (Most ready-made curtains come in standard sizes, with 84 inches the norm for floor-length.)

Measure the width of the window from one side of molding to the other.

Next, buy new brackets and curtain rods (and curtains, if you don’t have them already). The rods should be long enough to extend 3 to 6 inches past the window on each side. The brackets need to be tough enough to hold up heavy curtains (that’s part of the reason why your old brackets are partially torn out of the wall). You also may want to buy plastic wall anchors; bracket screws go through these to better hold the brackets in place.

Really long curtain rods often come with an additional bracket placed at the center of the rod to keep it from warping downward. Take the hint and install this center bracket if it’s included.

To set up the new brackets, measure and mark a point 6 inches above the window molding and another one 3-6 inches past the molding, on both sides of the window. Use the level to ensure that the points are in line with each other. Make sure the new brackets aren’t placed in the same spot as the old ones.

Place the new bracket so the top part touches the outer mark you just made. Use a pencil and mark the drill holes for the bracket. Do the same on the other side. Re-measure and level the two points. Then, pre-drill guide holes for the bracket, using a drill bit one size smaller than the bracket’s screws.

Hold the bracket in place over the pre-drilled holes, and place the screws, using the screwdriver to hand-tighten. If using a screw anchor, screw that into the wall first, then hold the bracket in place and thread the screw into the plastic anchor. (The anchor will pop open on the backside of the wallboard.)

Double-check the placement of the second bracket one last time, and then screw it into the wall. If a center bracket is needed, add that as well.

Now, all that’s left is to put the curtains onto the rod, and lift the rod into place on the brackets. An easy task!

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