No Holes, Renter Friendly Window Treatments!
Learn how to hang curtains without putting holes in the walls! Whether you are a student or renting and your landlord won’t let you put holes in the walls or you have walls with something behind them that won’t allow you to use nails or screws, you can still hang curtains with this simple hack!
As a military family, we move a LOT. One of the big challenges we’ve faced over the years were limitations set by landlords when we were renting. Our home near DC a few years ago was the perfect example. We had gorgeous windows but weren’t allowed to drill holes to hang curtains. This led us to learn how to hang curtains with command hooks!
Why Hang Curtains With Command Hooks
- rental that doesn’t allow drilling into the walls
- walls difficult to drill into (ours were backed by brick)
- walls that have been weakened by previous drilling
- dorm or other space that doesn’t allow permanent changes
Step by step
If your command hooks are too tall to hang as high as you like, you can easily trim them.
Use bolt cutters to cut about a half inch off the top of the hook and a metal file to smooth the edge. You can see how much we cut off here:
Since we’re talking windows, don’t forget to check out these articles on how to clean windows and how to clean blinds!
Painting
When we were hanging our command hooks we wanted the back of the hook to blend with the wall. This was easy to accomplish by painting the back surface. Clean the hook with rubbing alcohol then tape off the front portion you want to blend with the curtain rod.
Next, prime it with Valspar plastic primer. Finally, paint the surface with paint to match your walls. In our case, we used touch-up paint that matched our moldings.
After the paint is dry you can put up the hooks following the below instructions. Be sure to wait the required hour to allow the adhesive to bond before hanging your curtains.
You can see how wonderful hanging curtains with command hooks worked out! We lived in this home for two years and the command hooks held the curtains the entire time with no issue!
Tips for best results
- Use a thin, lightweight curtain rod that can fit in the jumbo hook.
- Because of the proximity to the wall, smaller than usual finials may be required on the curtain rods.
- I do not recommend this method for heavily used curtains or heavy curtains. This is best for decorative curtains that are left open or closed rather than handled regularly.
Room Sources
You might also like to check out how to make your own DIY Wooden Map Art or build a Pottery Barn inspired table for under $100!
This post was originally published October 2014 and updated June 2025 with additional information and updated links.
Wow, I am surprise it’s holding. That is amazing. Going to try this for sure.
Each hook has a 7.5 lb weight limit and we used 4-they are also just decorative, we’re not constantly opening and closing them…I think that could be too much pressure if they were being pulled on constantly, but for us they are working out great!
Since it has been years since this post, I imagine you have long ago found the perfect finial, but when I looked at the curtain rods you used on Amazon, I noticed these with a cap finial. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAEWXU7/ref=pd_luc_rh_sspa_dk_huc_pt_sub_0?psc=1
Not fancy but small. Thanks for the clever idea!
I tried in my sons apartment the hooks wouldn’t stay attached. Not a happy camper.
I’m not sure why the hooks didn’t work Trudy-ours held for the two years we lived in that home with no issue. Were you using the jumbo hooks? What was the wall surface made of? Just trying to pinpoint anything that would have been different from how we used them. ~Melissa
I have used these hooks for everything from bathroom towels to curtains for several years now. Never had an issue with them falling down. I would add that I do a great job of cleaning the surface with alcohol first and letting them cure on the wall 24 to 48 hours before I hang anything with weight on them. This seems to do the trick.
Yes, I agree Chanon, it’s very important to follow the directions if you want them to hold! ~Melissa
I had the same problem with the hooks falling off the wall. Not only did the hooks fall off the wall but it took the paint off with it. These aren’t very friendly on painted walls.
these hooks really don’t work for older buildings where they are multiple layers of paint – but if you use double the weight capacity than the weight of the thing you’re hanging, they’ll get the job done
I have tried these multiple times. My curtains and rods keep falling in daughters apartment, along with it peeled the paint off the wall. My advice is, it works for some, but I didn’t get great results.
We are in a rental now (which luckily, the homeowners actually left curtain rods up). We will be moving into an apartment next, and I will be for sure using this tip! What’s the weight limit on the hooks?
Each hook has a 7.5 lb weight limit and we used 4 hooks. We don’t open/close the curtains-they are just decorative so I felt comfortable with the weight the hooks would support-it’s a pretty big curtain rod and lots of fabric!
Hello I want to try this. What’s the diameter of your curtain rod?
Hi Sade, Our curtain rod is 1″ but it does just rest on the command hook-it doesn’t fully fit inside so I wouldn’t do that unless they are decorative curatins like mine (we don’t open and shut them.) If you’re looking for functional curtains I’d get a smaller diameter rod so that it’s more sturdy when the curtains are being moved. Hope that helped! ~Melissa
I have a 5/8″ rod and black out curtains that are opened and shut everyday. Think this will work?
I can’t say for sure as we didn’t pull ours often but I would just be very gentle with it if you did use the command hooks as they obviously won’t stand up to quite the same amount of pressure as traditionally mounted hardware would. ~Melissa
i have tried this and they hold for a couple of weeks then the hooks fall
my are also just decorative I am using 3 5lb hooks on a double window with with only 1 shear panel.
Roses are prob about 1/2″ any suggestions ?
Hello,
I love the color of your living room wall. Which color is it? I love your decor, beautiful house.
I think this looks great…what kind of hooks are you using? It looks like black shower curtain hooks…but I am old and nearly blind so I might be wrong! In my first apartment, I used (cheap) filigree metal coat hooks for the hanger, a plain wooden dowel (that I painted) and then later covered with a quilt batting and fabric the same as the home made curtains sleeve…the finials (don’t laugh)…were tennis balls. I cut an X in one end, covered them in quilt batting and the same fabric as the home made curtains and then jammed teh ball on the wooden dowel. Worked great. Cost practically nothing. If you are going to be frugal…or just poor…helps to be creative!
Do you have a picture of that? Sounds very interesting what you did. Thanks
Great idea. I own my home but have the brick/drywall problem. Want to hang blackout drapes. Hope they work. Also love the ceiling fan. Can you please tell me where I can get one like that?
The ceiling fan is from Lowes but they unfortunately don’t make them anymore Judy (I get lots of questions about it!) The brand is Allen & Roth-they have great products that we’ve used a lot in our homes!
I’m so glad I found your post! I’ve been looking for the perfect white curtains for a while now, but it’s hard to find the right kinds that aren’t see through. What coupon did you use, if you don’t mind me asking?
IKEA is a great place to buy longer curtains
I actually tried there and picked up the wrong length-they’re still in the package in my closet-I found them the other day and realized they’ll be perfect for the somewhat shorter ceiling height at our next house!
Melissa, I have always wondered if the command hooks would work…we just moved and I am pretty sure this new landlord won’t be fond of drilling holes for curtain rods (wood paneled walls, yikes!). Anyway, I am totally going to try this out! And girl, I LOVE puddled curtains. That’s exactly what I had in our old apartment and I don’t think I can live without them! Thanks for this post, it’s so helpful and may have saved me from a no-curtain broken heart!
May I ask please how are the blinds mounted? THANK YOU!
We don’t have blinds Penny, just curtains mounted with the command hooks. ~Melissa
The second picture called The Living Room shows what look to me like binds mounted below a row of panes. I have those panes and I would like to have blinds below them!
Yes Penny, there were custom blinds mounted in the windows when we moved into the house, I’m afraid I don’t have any info about them though-they were put in place by the landlord. ~Melissa
Thank you.
Had to offer my experience Melissa! I have used decorative drawer knobs for finals& also IKEA has basic curtains that are 95″+. I used them to make a.canopy over my bed!
Clearly, yes.
Ikea has long curtains and shears for cheap. I have a Fowler “burn out” pattern in white. And super affordable!
-*Flower!
Thank you so much for your post. I am not very handy, but wanted to put up second curtains under our toom darkening drapes in the sunrise facing bedroom. It wasny dark enough.
I had some sheers from our old house, anf decided to experiment with the Command hooks so i wouldnt gave to wait for handyman and drilling it in.
Looks great! If i want to go to something heavier later, i can add a center hook or call the handyman
#1 this is amazingly helpful
#2 does your husband use his feet as hands? because those toes look like fingers. It would be awesome if he could
LOL 🙂 im just joking
How do they hold the weight of the fabric? I feel like even those big hooks only hold up to around 5-8lbs usually don’t they? I think this is a great idea, but am curious how the weight of the fabric didn’t pull it all down.
Each of the hooks is rated to hold 7.5 pounds and we used a lightweight curtain rod with four hooks and the curtains were very lightweight. We also used the curtains for decor only-we very rarely pulled them open and shut so they weren’t having that extra pressure. They lasted perfectly for the two years we were in that house before we moved again! ~Melissa
Hi! Do you think these hooks would stick to walls with texture? Our rental has a ‘popcorn ceiling’ type texture on ALL the walls. They are bumpy but not rough, meaning they were painted over.
Why do you like puddling drapes so much? To me they look like dust collectors and vacuum cloggers.
I don’t know Lynne, I’ve not had a problem keeping them clean and it always looked a little awkward to me to have curtains hanging above the floor-probably too many hours looking at Pottery Barn catalogs! ~Melissa
It looks classy thats why. Why you gotta hate on a blog post? Take that shut to Next Door
So beautiful! I LOVE the look of puddling curtains, but my husband hates it. So far I’m winning the battle 😉
lol, we usually do, don’t we Danielle!!
I just did this! We moved and are renting here before we buy. It’s a practical idea, to learn the area – but I was honestly not happy about it – until this!!! Thank you. I did this in 6 rooms (with old curtains I already had). They all look great. I’m not usually one to go back and reply after a pinterest project, but these look amazing and literally have helped this momma have a good attitude in this season of change. It may sound silly, but thank you, you have been a HUGE blessing to me!
Kaite, you made my day, I’m so glad the project worked well for you too. We weren’t 100% loving living in our DC rental house and the curtains helped it feel more like home too, so I totally understand. Thanks again for the awesome comment! ~Melissa
I did this but used the wrong curtain style. I had grommet style curtains. But I love this idea. Looks beautiful
Ugh, I did this too! Found some beautiful curtains that I love so much but can’t use them with this method because of the grommets. Still trying to figure out a work around because I can’t return them and curtains are expensive.
I’m curious why they won’t work with the grommets…are you just afraid they will be too heavy?
My bedroom window faces the street and a horribly bright street light so the curtains will be more functional than decorative. There are blinds on the window but my apartment has no air conditioning and if I open window at night the light shines directly in my face. The curtains hang to the floor with no puddling. With the grommets, yes they are heavy, but the issue is mostly that they lay flat up against the wall rather than hang. The command hooks just don’t stick out far enough away from the wall for opening and closing the curtains. It also looks awful. I’m actually going to purchase some clip-on rings like you’ve used here to see if I can just lower the hooks and rod then fold over the top grommeted portion of the curtain and clip on the rings. If this works, I may end up cutting off the top portion and sewing it up all neat like. Or maybe I’ll just leave them folded over.
Great idea! Do have a link for your curtains you used? Having a hard time finding ones that aren’t too heavy.
Do these actually stay up? the adhesive never stay on our ways, as we have textured walls! 🙁 Nice job! 🙂
Whoops sorry the adhesive never stay on our walls, as we have textured walls! ?
How thick were your curtain rods? Is 1 inch too big for the jumbo command strips?
Mine were one inch, they were balanced on top of the hook but as I mentioned in the post, they weren’t functional, just decorative so it worked fine for us.
I think I will love it. I don’t like drilling my walls cause I felt like I’m just messing up a blank canvas. And I haven’t heard that command hook before but I’ll surely search for it by now. Thanks!
You can add some finials that have a flat, rather than round, shape, like a fleur de lis, or something like that. I’ve also read that a 5/8 inch curtain rod will fit the large command hooks.
I loved this hack since the first time I read it, so I tried it as soon as I could. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been working for me. I have tried 3 times, but the strips keep on giving up. I’m using a thin, light rod with thin curtains, and I’m careful about moving them, but it is frustrating to wake up with the curtains laying on the floor instead of staying up. The wall doesn’t have texture, but I’m starting to think that maybe there’s something on that paint that doesn’t allow the strips to fully adhere. I’m seriously considering to forget about my “no-drill” rules and install regular curtain hooks 😔
I’m so sorry it isn’t holding for you Vivi. I wonder if it is the paint, out home had flat paint where we attached ours and it held for two years until we moved. I can imagine how aggravating it would be to find everything on the floor repeatedly.
I had heard about this hack before and unfortunately it does not work for me either. My apartment has textured walls, so there is no smooth surface available for command hooks to adhere to. My walls are backed by cement so there’s no drilling allowed. It makes it very difficult to decorate anything in the apartment!
That’s a bummer Stacy, sorry. I’ve never lived anywhere with textured walls but that on top of brick is a double challenge!
Hi Stacey. If your walls are textured and you don’t mind retexturing the spots on your walls when your done with your drapes, ask your home center (Home Depot or Lowe’s) what product you can use to smooth out the walls where you want to attach your command hooks. Let them cure for however long the package recommends and then hang your drapes. Me, being me, I would put up extra hooks. As for removing the hooks, I learned the hard way to pull the tab directly straight down very very slowly till it pops off the surface; works every time. I hope this will be a good solution for you.
One last thing—check the packaging for the number of pounds each hook will support.
What a fantastic idea! I will have to try this myself. Your window looks so beautiful with the long drapes… Thank you for sharing that hack.
Command strips have never worked for me on anything. Then when I try to take them down, it pulls the paint and sheet rock off.
I found the same problem in my living room, when I removed two that held pictures.
Same with me
Hi Stacey. If your walls are textured and you don’t mind retexturing the spots on your walls when your done with your drapes, ask your home center (Home Depot or Lowe’s) what product you can use to smooth out the walls where you want to attach your command hooks. Let them cure for however long the package recommends and then hang your drapes. Me, being me, I would put up extra hooks. As for removing the hooks, I learned the hard way to pull the tab directly straight down very very slowly till it pops off the surface; works every time. I hope this will be a good solution for you.
Will the command hooks stick to wall tile?
Thanks 4 the rental window tips. Great ideas including comments on textured-but-not-2-textured paint so hooks stick. I am going to use a 5/8 rod w flat leaf finials. This should work w Command hooks NP. I feel more confident but still need to measure 1st so get right length.
If the Command Hooks do not hold to a wall surface that they should:
1. Make sure the strips you are using are not too old.
I had some that were old, and the adhesive dries out.
2. You can also use Command Adhesive Strips that are rated to
hold a heavier weight. (Available in replacement packs).
This is exactly what I have been looking for in the past ten years. GREAT!! And thank you so much!!
You’re welcome, I’m so glad it was helpful to you!