Using curtain poles to hang your curtains lets you choose from a range of curtain types, such as those with eyelets and tab tops, as well as traditional pencil pleated curtains.
Curtain poles come in a variety of wood and metal finishes, with a wide range of finial (decorative end-piece) designs, and can be very attractive in their own right.
Your choice of curtain pole will be influenced by the space available, and by the type of curtain you wish to hang on it.
Here are some tips for choosing curtain poles: Complete Kits Although you can buy individual curtain pole components, you can make it easy for yourself by buying curtain pole kits.
These kits usually include the pole itself, finials, brackets for fixing it to the wall and curtain rings.
Sometimes matching holdbacks are available, although these might need to be purchased separately.
Buying a complete kit ensures a coordinated look, and you will have everything that you need.
Size Curtain poles can be placed on the window frame itself, or on the wall above it.
Positioning the curtain slightly above the window will exclude more light.
You must measure the width of the window, and allow space for the finials, as well as for the curtains to be drawn back at the sides.
Curtain poles come in various lengths, and may sometimes be cut down to size or connected together to ensure a good fit.
Extendable poles are also available, as are angled poles for bay windows.
Pole width is also a consideration; you should choose sturdy poles for heavy curtains, whereas lightweight curtains can be hung on thinner poles.