Curtain rod placement help! Does it matter if brackets are uneven?

last year

So I'm a first time home owner and have been trying to put up curtain rods and the whole process has been overwhelming. I've been told that it's best practice to place the brackets on top of studs. I initially wanted to place the brackets 6 inches on either side of the window frames but problem is there are no studs there.
My options are riight up against the window frame, which would mean that when the curtains are open they will partially block the window and I don't want that.
The next option is that I found studs farther out but the thing is, the right side is 16 inches away from the frame and the left side is 12 inches away from the window frame. So the brackets would not be equal distance from the frame on either sides. Does that even matter? I couldn't find anything about this online, but a lot of people seem to suggest using drywall anchors which I don't really feel comfortable with. The ceiling is 10ft high in the living room and the curtain rods and curtains are quite heavy so I'd rather not use the anchors.
I've uploaded a picture of my living room window but haven't placed markings there yet. But I'm also adding pictures of my other rooms where you can see the same issue where the studs are uneven on either sides so the brackets would not be placed equal distance from either sides of the windows.
The other issue I'm having is deciding how high up to place the rods. Is 10 inches above the window frame (about 2 inches from the ceiling) too high up for a 10ft ceiling?
Also going back to how wide the rods should be, is 16 inches wider on each side too much?? Please help!!

Featured Answer

PRO

HALLETT & Co.

last year

In most situations in my house drapes are decorative, I have shades for light control. I put the brackets on the side of the trim but extend the rod 10” or so past it. Most of the curtain is to the outside of the bracket, one or two loops to the inside to hide the bracket.

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Comments (14)

arcy_gw
last year
Get anchors and place the rods where you want them. "Studs" are best practise but when it doesn't work out it doesn't work out.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
last modified: last year
Use the proper anchors and put the brackets where you want them the drapes should be at least 2.5 x wider than the rod and the drapes hung at a heiight that looks right in the space there really are no RULES . Are you going to draw these all the time if so then you want good strong anchors It seems you have an empty space so IMO a bit early to hang the drapes I usually do that after all th rest of the space is figured out
lamiya thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
njmomma
last year
Use the anchors. I did and I am so much happier with my decision.
thinkdesignlive
last year
Anchors. Having the uneven wall space on the sides won’t look good.
PRO
lamiya
Original Author
last year
Patricia yes it a new build and we have moved in yet, currently still at my parents place. Im a Muslim woman who covers so privacy is important to me and not putting up curtains is the only thing keeping us from moving in fully.

I will be drawing them at least twice a day. My curtains are quite heavy and I have young nieces and nephews who will visit often. I dont want any potential damage to the wall if using anchors. What do you think?
PRO
lamiya
Original Author
last year
Njmomma do you habe kids or heavy curtains? Im just worried it will rip through the wall. Its a new build and i heard it takes some time for everything to settle
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
last year
What kind of rod is it? Is it a decorative rod, or an old-style traverse, or something in between. The middle brackets of a traverse rod aren't really visible, and don't affect the appearance of the drapes, so they go into studs. The end brackets go where the drapery stackback says they go, but since the middle brackets can hold the weight, they don't have to go into studs.
PRO
lamiya
Original Author
last year
Mad_gallica, it a bit decorative? Something in between i guess. Im ju worried the heavy rod and curtains will rip through the drywall. This is a new build and I want to avoid that at all costs.
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
last year
How decorative are the brackets? If they are utilitarian metal things, put them into the studs. If they are meant to be seen, they have to go where they 'belong'.

I get it. I used to have cats that climbed the drapes.
lamiya thanked mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
PRO
lamiya
Original Author
last year
Eh they don't have to be seen, they're brushed nickel rods. I do plan on using rings to hang the curtains so the brackets will be visible. Just trying to figure out if the difference in width on either side is that noticeable.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
I find these anchors easiest to use.
lamiya thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
ci_lantro
last year
I will be drawing them at least twice a day. My curtains are quite heavy and I have young nieces and nephews who will visit often.

In your case, I would use Toggler Snap Toggles. Available at Lowe's, Amazon...

Note that you will have to use (supplied) bolts in the Toggler package to attach the brackets to the the anchor. The screws that usually come with the brackets won't work. Togglers come in 2 sizes--for 3/16 or 1/4" bolts. Get the 3/16" size ones.

Given the combination of heavy drapes that will be open & closed a lot + kids, I wouldn't mess around with the usual cheap drywall anchors. Toggler Snap Toggles are rock solid & I use them when I need a heavy duty anchor & assurance that it won't fail.
jackson2348
last year
Ive used these for years, and they hold very heavy drapes. I’ve never had them fail. And you just screw them into the wall, you dont have to predrill. I take a paint pen and color the screw heads to match.