GUIDE
How to hang curtains
There are several different ways to hang curtains, and the choice of curtain heading depends on the type of arrangement and function you want. Hasta's curtains come with multipurpose curtain tape, which makes it possible to hang curtains in several different ways. You can hang the curtains on a curtain track (in the track's gliders) or on a pole (with curtain rings), and use different types of curtain hooks depending on the arrangement and function you want. You can also hang the curtain directly on a curtain pole using the loops in the multipurpose curtain tape, in which case you won't need any curtain hooks at all.
In this guide, we go through how the multipurpose curtain tape works, as well as some of the most common curtain arrangements, step by step. This gives you a clear overview of how curtains can be hung and what sets the different hanging methods apart.
Wave hook | 1-prong pleat hook, short neck | 1-prong pleat hook, long neck | 2-prong pleat hook, short neck | 2-prong pleat hook, long neck | 4-prong pleat hook, short neck | 4-prong pleat hook, long neck | Curtain pole through loop
Wave hooks for full waves
With wave hooks you can create full waves, also known as a wave heading. Wave hooks can be used with a curtain track, where the hooks are hung in the track's gliders, and also with curtain rings on a pole for the same type of arrangement. The wave hooks are inserted into the small loops at the very top of the multipurpose curtain tape.
The spacing between the hooks affects how large the waves will be. Use an even number of hooks to get a neat finish on both sides of the curtain.
- Standard: Space the hooks approx. 10 cm apart.
- Corded gliders: Approx. 16 cm between each hook often gives the best result.
For a more in-depth walkthrough of this type of curtain hanging, you can watch our instructional video on full waves.
1. Place the wave hook in a pocket at the top of the multipurpose curtain tape.
2. Turn the hook so that it locks into the pocket. Repeat along the whole curtain, spacing the hooks evenly.
3. Shape the waves: push every other wave forward and every other wave backward along the curtain.
4. Check the result: the curtain should have even, regular waves along its entire width.
Hanging curtains with pleat hooks – step by step
Hanging curtains with pleat hooks is a way to create even, decorative pleats. The hooks are threaded into the multipurpose curtain tape on the curtain and then hung in the gliders on a curtain track or in curtain rings on a pole. Pleat hooks come in several versions: 1-, 2- or 4-prong pleat hooks, with a short or long neck. The number of prongs affects the type of pleat you get:
- 1-prong pleat hook: creates soft waves in the same way as the wave hook.
- 2-prong pleat hook: creates smaller, simple pleats.
- 4-prong pleat hook: creates French pleats and more pleats per hook.
Spacing between pleat hooks
A common starting point is to insert pleat hooks with approximately 5 cm between each hook (i.e. between the separate hooks). If you place the hooks closer together, you get more pleats, but the curtain will also be narrower when it hangs.
Spacing between the prongs on the same hook
For 2- and 4-prong pleat hooks, the number of pockets you take up between the prongs also affects how pronounced the pleats are.
With a 4-prong pleat hook, for example, you can use approximately 7 pockets between prongs 2 and 3 to create distinct inverted pleats.
Long neck and short neck
The difference between a short neck and a long neck is where the curtain sits in relation to the track.
Pleat hook, short neck
A pleat hook with a short neck positions the curtain higher up and can help conceal the track. It can be used with many of our curtain tracks, but not with all models, as some tracks have a low profile where the curtain could touch the ceiling. To see exactly which tracks this hook works with, see our overview of all curtain tracks.
Pleat hook, long neck
A pleat hook with a long neck makes the curtain hang below the track. It can be used with all the tracks in our range and is also suitable when you want to hang the curtain from curtain rings on a pole.
Choose a short neck if you want the curtain to sit high and hide the track, and a long neck if you want the curtain to hang below the track or from rings on a pole.
4-prong pleat hooks
1. Turn the hook towards the curtain and insert prong 2 into a pocket.
2. Turn the curtain hook to the side so that you can reach prong 3 and the hook locks into the multipurpose curtain tape. The hook part should then face away from the curtain, towards you.
3. Place prong 3 in a pocket, with approx. 7 pockets between prongs 2 and 3, for a well-defined pleat.
4. Repeat along the entire curtain, spacing the hooks evenly (approximately 5 cm) for a uniform result.
2-prong pleat hooks
1. Insert prong 1 into a loop with the hook facing you.
2. Insert the second prong into the next selected pocket. The more pockets you leave between the prongs, the deeper the pleat.
3. Repeat along the entire curtain, spacing the hooks evenly (approximately 5 cm apart) for a uniform result.
4. Check the result: the curtain should have even, regular pleats along its entire width.
Instructional videos for more curtain hanging methods
This guide reviews the most common ways to hang curtains with multipurpose curtain tape. For more hanging options and visual demonstrations of how different curtain hooks are used, you can watch our instructional videos.
Common questions about curtain arrangements
How far apart should wave hooks be placed?
A common recommendation is to place wave hooks approximately 10 cm apart when hanging with gliders, and approximately 16 cm apart when using corded gliders. Closer spacing creates tighter waves, while wider spacing creates larger waves.
How many curtain hooks does one need per curtain?
The number of curtain hooks depends on the width of the curtain and how close together you want the pleats or waves. As a guide, you can allow approx. 10 hooks for a single-width curtain (132 cm) and approx. 20 hooks for a double-width curtain (268 cm), depending on how closely you space the hooks. Ideally, use an even number of hooks to get a neat finish on both sides of the curtain.
How much does the curtain gather when hung in pleats or waves?
How much the curtain gathers up depends on the type of curtain hooks you use and how deep the pleats or waves you form are. For example, a wave heading (full waves) often takes up more width than pleats made with pleat hooks, as the waves are deeper than an ordinary pleat. As a starting point, you can expect the width of the curtain to be roughly halved when it hangs in pleats or waves.
Should the curtain be hung on a track or a rod?
You can create the same types of pleats and waves in the curtain with the right curtain hooks, whether you choose a curtain track or a curtain pole. On a curtain track, the hooks hang in gliders that run along the track, and this way of hanging is often seen as more functional and flexible. On a curtain pole, the curtain is usually hung from curtain rings, either with hooks in the rings or directly on the pole through the loops in the multipurpose curtain tape. The multipurpose curtain tape lets you use several different hanging methods on both tracks and poles, depending on the arrangement.
For more about hanging on a track, you can read our guide to curtain tracks.
If I want waves - should I choose a track or a rod?
A wave heading can be created with either a curtain track or a curtain pole, with the wave hooks hung in the curtain track gliders or in curtain rings on the pole. However, this type of hanging is most common with a curtain track, especially with corded gliders, as this often gives more even waves that keep their shape better when you draw the curtain.
Which curtain hooks can be used with multipurpose curtain tape?
Multipurpose curtain tape can be used with many types of curtain hooks, such as wave hooks and pleat hooks (1-, 2- and 4-prong, with a long or short neck). Which hook is right depends on the curtain arrangement you want to create and whether the curtain will hang from a track or a pole. If the curtain has no tape, or if you have a rod pocket curtain without tape, you can in some cases use curtain pin hooks. The curtain pin hook is pushed into the fabric, so you can hang the curtain from a track or from a pole with rings.
How do you hang curtains with deep pleat hooks?
Insert the pleat hooks into the pockets of the curtain's pleat tape or multipurpose curtain tape at regular intervals. Choose between 1-, 2- or 4-prong pleat hooks depending on the type of pleat you want to create. Then hang the hooks on the curtain track gliders or in curtain rings on a pole, and adjust the pleats for an even, neat result.
What is multipurpose curtain tape?
Multipurpose curtain tape is a curtain heading tape that sits along the top edge of the curtain and lets you create different curtain hanging styles with the same tape. Hasta's own version, Hasta's multipurpose curtain tape, can be used with different curtain hooks to create pleats, gathers or waves. The tape also has loops, so the curtain can be hung directly on a curtain pole without hooks.