How do I hang sheers under a decorative rod?

by Deb
(Baltimore, MD)

I have a decorative rod that I have hung drapes that have rings attached to the pinch pleats. So behind that I want to install sheers.

I do not want to use a double curtain rod. My question is how far down at the top of the window should I put the single rod that I want to install the sheers on so the sheers will hang correctly with the drapes?

Does the bottom hem of the sheers have to be the same length of the drapes? Is it ok to have the top of the sheers showing above the decorative rod that the drapes are hanging on?


Hi Deb

The first thing to check is how much room you have behind your pinch pleat curtains. For example are they touching the wall behind or are the rod brackets long enough to make your curtains hang several inches away from the wall.

If the gap between your curtains and the wall is small. Then you will have problems with your new sheer curtains behind. It may be possible to fit the rod and hang them.

The trouble starts when you want to open and close you pinch pleat curtains. They will drag your sheer curtains with them.

So what to do, the first thing is check the distance between the wall and curtains. If more than 3 to 4 inches then good. If not can the rod brackets be adjusted to make the rod move further away from the wall. If so good you have no problem.

If they don't adjust you either need to find extendable brackets to fit your existing rod or get a new rod with longer or extending brackets.

Finally to your question about how long and how high to fit your sheers. Firstly I would not fit my sheer rod at a height that you would see the sheers over the top of your curtains. It would just look a bit odd.

The length of your sheers can be as long as you want as long as they cover the window but are not longer than the main curtains. The only exception is on patio doors and french windows. They should then be the same length.


I hope you can follow my ramblings and understand what I mean. If not completely then post a comment at the end of this reply and I will try and help again.


Best regards

Lee