How to Hang Curtains Without a Rod: 6 Creative Ideas

Image by Malidate Van

There are plenty of stylish alternatives to a simple curtain rod! If you’re ready to put your DIY skills to the test, explore these six creative ideas on how to hang curtains without a rod. Soon, your window treatment will look better than ever before.

Order custom curtains from Spiffy Spools online in any size. We have over 1,000 fabrics and patterns to pick from, so you can match them to your home perfectly. Shop Now

Opt for Roman Shades

If you don’t like the look of traditional curtains with rods, you may love roman shades. This form of curtain is hung with a headrail that attaches to two brackets on each side of the window instead of a rod. What’s great about this option is that the hardware isn’t visible at all—roman shades feature a continuous piece of fabric that covers the headrail and matches the exact size of the window. In addition to being one of the simplest types of curtains to mount, they also come in three gorgeous styles:

• Relaxed roman shades. This design features a smooth front fabric that’s tailored to fall into a gentle curve at the bottom. Relaxed roman shades are mostly decorative. Shop Now.
• Flat fold roman shades with back slats. Horizontal slats are stitched into the back lining of flat fold roman shades, so no seams are visible in the fabric when the shades are closed. They also stack neatly from the bottom and rest at the top of the window frame when open. Shop Now.
• Flat fold roman shades with front slats. The fabric of this style of shade is broken evenly in horizontal panels when closed. When open, it stacks from the bottom in neat folds to provide a crisp, clean look. Shop Now.

Try a Curtain Track

Curtain tracks are another great alternative to curtain rods. They mount above the window frame and allow you to smoothly glide your curtains to the opened and closed position. This is also a good alternative if you are trying to hang heavy curtains as the other options in this blog would fail to support them. However, only curtains with the right heading styles will work with these tracks. Heading styles that feature eyelets and tab tops won’t work with curtain tracks. Instead, you’ll need to opt for one of the following heading styles:

• Pinch pleat
• Flat-panel tops
• Inverted box pleat
• Pencil pleat

If you’d like to learn more about curtain heading styles, explore our Headings Style Guide!

Swap Your Curtain Rod for a Unique Item

Perhaps you like the functionality of curtain rods, but you don’t necessarily like their look. If you’re hoping to swap out a curtain rod for a piece that functions in the same manner, there are plenty of creative options to choose from. If you go this route, note that your curtain should feature a style that works on traditional curtain rods, such as:

• Grommet tops
• Back tab tops
• Rod pockets
• Tab tops
• Tie tops

Now, let’s explore some great replacement items for a curtain rod:

Metallic Pipes

For a room that features a modern design style, swapping out your curtain rod with a refined metal pipe will look beautiful. Pipes come in all kinds of metallic colors like silver, copper, gold, rose gold, and more, so you should be able to find an option that matches your current finishes.

To mount a pipe as a curtain rod:

• Install a bracket on both sides of the window. They should be placed at minimum three inches above the frame and three inches to either side. The size of your bracket will be determined by the size of the pipe you’ve chosen.
• Slip the pipe through the curtain heading and evenly distribute the fabric.
• Rest the pipe on top of the two brackets and arrange the fabric to your liking.
• Lastly, make sure it is steady enough to prevent the curtain rod from sliding.

Rustic Rope

If your room embodies a more rustic or casual design style, you’ll love the look of a rope as your replacement curtain rod. There are all types of ropes to choose from, and each will provide a unique feel to the space. For instance, a thick, white rope would be great for a coastal-themed room. A thin, unprocessed rope would offer a natural feel for down-to-earth spaces. And a twisted lip cord can provide an elegant look. You can consider this playful style for hanging boys’ room curtains, games room curtains, or rustic country curtains.

To mount a rope as a curtain rod:

• Install a nail or hook on both sides of the window. They should be placed at minimum three inches above the frame and three inches to either side.
• Slip the rope through the curtain heading and evenly distribute the fabric.
• Tie the rope to the nails or hooks and arrange the fabric to your liking.

Matching or Complementary Fabric

Another idea is to use a strand of fabric to hang your curtains. Match the fabric strand to the same fabric as your curtains for a uniform look. Or, mix it up with a different pattern, color, or material for a bold twist! This whimsical style is great if you’re hanging boho curtains or sheer curtains in girls’ room.

To mount a strand of fabric as a curtain rod:

• Install a nail or hook on both sides of the window. They should be placed at minimum three inches above the frame and three inches to either side.
• Slip the fabric strand through the curtain heading and evenly distribute the curtain fabric.
• Tie the fabric strand to the nails or hooks and arrange the curtains to your liking.

Order Custom Curtains from Spiffy Spools

We hope you enjoyed these creative ideas on how to hang curtains without a rod! If you’re ready to shop curtains for your home, browse Spiffy Spools today! We make it easy to create custom curtains that fit your exact specifications. Explore our site to find the perfect options for your space, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!