Table of Contents

• What You'll Need Before You Start
• How to Measure for Eyelet Curtains
• Curtain Pole Installation Height: Getting It Right
• Step-by-Step: How to Hang Eyelet Curtains on a Pole
  • Step 1: Locate and Mark Your Bracket Positions
  • Step 2: Install the Brackets
  • Step 3: Position the Curtain Pole
  • Step 4: Thread the Eyelet Curtains onto the Pole
  • Step 5: Adjust and Secure
• How to Train Eyelet Curtains to Fold Neatly
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: August 31, 2026

How to hang eyelet curtains on a pole step by step is one of those tasks that looks straightforward until you actually start. The difference between curtains that hang beautifully and ones that bunch awkwardly at the edges often comes down to preparation and precision. This guide walks you through every stage, from measuring your windows to training your curtains into perfect folds.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Gathering the right equipment before you begin prevents frustration halfway through. You'll need a curtain pole (adjustable options like our Gold Extendable Curtain Pole 76-200cm work brilliantly for most windows), wall brackets, a drill with appropriate bits for your wall type, a spirit level, a tape measure, a pencil, and a stepladder. A stud finder is useful if you're mounting into plasterboard, though not essential for every installation.

Your eyelet curtains themselves are the star of the show. Eyelet curtains feature reinforced metal rings sewn into the top hem, which thread directly onto the pole. This means no faffing about with hooks, runners, or complicated hanging systems. The eyelets do the work for you. Make sure you have the correct size, most eyelet diameters range from 40mm to 50mm, and your pole needs to fit through comfortably without forcing.

Consider the weight of your curtains too. Heavier fabrics like velvet or blackout material require sturdy brackets and a strong pole. Lighter linen-blend curtains are more forgiving. If you're unsure about your wall's load-bearing capacity, err on the side of caution and use additional brackets.

How to Measure for Eyelet Curtains

Getting measurements right is the foundation of a successful installation. Measure the width of your window opening from the inside of the frame. For eyelet curtains, you'll typically want the pole to extend slightly beyond the window on both sides, about 10-15cm extra on each end, so the curtains clear the glass when drawn.

For the drop (length), measure from where your pole will sit down to where you want the curtains to end. Most people prefer curtains to just touch the floor or hover 1-2cm above it. Measure at three points across the window: left, centre, and right. Walls are rarely perfectly level, so these measurements often differ slightly. Use the longest measurement to avoid ending up with curtains that are too short on one side.

Write these measurements down. Many people think they'll remember, and many people are wrong.

When ordering ready-made eyelet curtains, check the product description carefully. The dimensions listed are usually the finished size of the curtain panel. If you've measured your window at 150cm wide and you want two panels (which is standard), you need curtains that are approximately 75cm per panel, allowing for a slight overlap in the middle when closed.

Curtain Pole Installation Height: Getting It Right

The height at which you mount your pole dramatically affects how your room feels. Mount it too low and the space feels cramped. Mount it too high and you lose the benefit of the curtains' full drop.

The standard approach is to position the pole 15-20cm above the window frame. This creates visual balance and allows curtains to hang properly without catching on the window sill. If you have a particularly tall window or high ceilings, you might go higher. If your window is close to the ceiling, you have less flexibility.

Use your spirit level religiously when marking bracket positions. A pole that's even slightly wonky becomes obvious once the curtains are hung. Take your time here, this is one of those steps where rushing causes problems.

Measure carefully from your reference points. Mark the bracket positions with a pencil before drilling. Double-check that both sides are at exactly the same height. A laser level is worth borrowing if you don't own one, especially for wider windows where errors compound.

Step-by-Step: How to Hang Eyelet Curtains on a Pole

Step 1: Locate and Mark Your Bracket Positions

Start by deciding exactly where your brackets will go. For most windows, brackets positioned about 10cm in from each end of the pole work well. If your window is particularly wide (over 200cm), add a centre support bracket to prevent the pole from sagging under the weight of the curtains.

Use your tape measure and spirit level to mark the bracket positions on the wall. Mark the screw holes lightly in pencil. This is your guide for drilling. Take a step back and visually check that the marks are level and symmetrical. Your eye often catches what a quick glance misses.

Step 2: Install the Brackets

Drill pilot holes at your marked positions. Use a drill bit slightly smaller than your wall plugs. This prevents the wall from cracking and ensures the plugs sit properly.

Insert wall plugs into the holes. If you're drilling into brick or stone, use appropriate plugs for masonry. For plasterboard, use expanding plugs designed for hollow walls. Screw the brackets firmly into place, but don't over-tighten, you want them secure, not stripped.

Check that both brackets are level and sit flush against the wall. If one bracket protrudes further than the other, your pole will sit at an angle.

Step 3: Position the Curtain Pole

Slide the pole through the bracket supports. Most brackets have a groove or channel that holds the pole in place. Make sure the pole sits fully in both brackets and is level. Tighten any set screws or fasteners that secure the pole to the brackets.

Adjust the pole so it extends equally on both sides of the window, or according to your preference. Some people prefer asymmetrical poles, it's your call. Just make sure it's intentional, not accidental.

Step 4: Thread the Eyelet Curtains onto the Pole

This is where the magic happens. Lay your curtain panels out flat on a clean surface. Starting at one end of the pole, thread the eyelets onto it. The eyelets slide over the pole smoothly if they're the right size. If they're too tight, you may have the wrong diameter pole, or the eyelets are damaged.

Work methodically from one end to the other. Don't rush this step. As you thread, the fabric naturally gathers and folds. This is normal. Keep feeding the curtain onto the pole until you've threaded all the eyelets.

If you have two panels, thread one onto each half of the pole. They'll meet in the middle. Adjust them so they overlap slightly when closed, about 10-15cm of overlap prevents light gaps.

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Step 5: Adjust and Secure

Once both panels are threaded, stand back and look at how they hang. The curtains should drape evenly from the pole to the floor. Adjust the panels so they're positioned symmetrically. If one panel hangs lower than the other, it's usually because the wall wasn't perfectly level (which is almost always the case in older properties). Live with minor differences, they're rarely noticeable once the curtains are closed.

Check that the eyelets are sitting properly in the pole and haven't twisted. Twisted eyelets can cause uneven hanging. Straighten them if needed.

Secure any finials or end caps to the pole according to the manufacturer's instructions. These prevent the curtains from sliding off the ends.

How to Train Eyelet Curtains to Fold Neatly

Eyelet curtains don't naturally fall into perfect folds. They need training. This is especially true for heavier fabrics like velvet or blackout material.

Start by drawing the curtains closed. Look at how they hang. You'll probably see some bunching and uneven folds. This is fixable.

The key is to manually create the folds you want, then help them set. Starting from the top, gently fold the fabric into even pleats. Work your way down the curtain. Use your hands to shape the folds. You're aiming for vertical lines of fabric that create visual rhythm.

Once you've created the folds, secure them loosely with fabric ties or soft fabric strips at intervals down the curtain, roughly every 30-40cm works well. Leave these ties in place for a few days. The fabric will begin to "remember" these folds. After a week or so, you can remove the ties. The folds often hold their shape.

For stubborn fabrics that refuse to fold neatly, a light steam can help. Use a garment steamer rather than an iron, it's gentler and less likely to damage the fabric. Steam the folds into place, then let them cool and set.

Some people swear by hanging weights in the hem of the curtains to improve drape. Small lead weights sewn into the bottom corners help heavier fabrics hang more elegantly. If your curtains are prone to billowing or looking messy, this is worth considering.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most frequent mistake is installing brackets that aren't level. Even a small deviation becomes obvious once the curtains are hung. Use a spirit level. Use it twice. Don't rely on your eye.

Another common error is ordering curtains that are too narrow for the window. People often think a single panel per window is sufficient. It rarely is. Two panels that overlap slightly look infinitely better than a single narrow panel with visible gaps. Check your measurements before ordering.

Mounting the pole too low is surprisingly common. It makes the window feel smaller and the room feel cramped. Go higher than you think you need to. You can always adjust, but it's easier to move a pole up than to replaster holes lower down.

Using the wrong wall plugs for your wall type causes brackets to fail. Plasterboard needs different plugs than brick. Check what your walls are made of before you start drilling. A few seconds of research prevents a curtain pole crashing down at 3am.

Some people fail to thread the curtains evenly. This results in one panel sitting lower than the other or bunching unevenly. Take your time threading. It's not a race.

Forgetting to train the curtains into folds is another mistake. Eyelet curtains left to their own devices often look messy. Spend a few minutes shaping them into neat pleats. The difference is striking.

Conclusion

Hanging eyelet curtains on a pole is straightforward once you understand the process. Measure carefully, install your brackets level, thread the eyelets smoothly, and train the fabric into neat folds. The whole job typically takes 1-2 hours, including drying time if you steam the folds.

At The Curtain and More Co, we stock a range of eyelet curtains in various fabrics and colours, from lightweight linen blends to blackout options. Our Gold Extendable Curtain Pole adjusts from 76cm to 200cm, fitting most windows, and our Silver Metal Curtain Pole offers a budget-friendly alternative. Both come with brackets and finials. Shop our collection today and transform your windows with curtains that hang beautifully.

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