How to Hang Multiple Drapes on a Traverse Rod

Old houses sometimes have large archways instead of doorways. While it's not always practical or possible to fit or put a regular door into one of these oversized archways, it is possible to create a door using drapes. To make the doorway functional, hang multiple drapes from a traverse rod, so they are visible on both sides of the doorway. Because it functions mechanically to move the drapes back and forth along its length by pulling a cord, a traverse rod will create a drapery door that opens and closes. For aesthetic reasons, mount the rod on the side of the doorway in the room that is more public. For example, hang the rod on the living room side of an archway between the living room and a den or other smaller room.

Heavy duty traverse rod
Drill
1 1/4-inch wood screws
Pin curtain hooks
Two sets of drapes (one set to coordinate with the décor of each room surrounding the doorway)

Instructions

- 1
  Install the traverse rod over the doorway, using the same method as hanging it over a window. Secure it to the woodwork with 1 1/4-inch screws. Position the brackets approximately 2 inches to the outside of the doorway opening, and about 2 inches above the doorway opening. Hold the bracket in place and mark the location of its mounting screws. Drill pilot holes at the marked spots with an electric drill. Insert the mounting screws into the bracket and screw the screws into the wood door frame with a screwdriver. Insert each end of the curtain rod into the corresponding slots in the brackets.
- 2
  Insert the pin curtain hooks into the drapes that will face the main, more public room in your house. Push the pointed end of the hook in the lining of the drapes, or nestled between pleats on the wrong side of the fabric. Put one pin hook every 4 to 6 inches, plus an additional hook at each end. When putting the hooks into the curtains, make sure the hanging hooks are all at the same level, so the drapes hang straight.
- 3
  Insert the hooks into the holes in the plastic carriers of the traverse rod, one by one. Begin at one end and work to the other end.
- 4
  Insert pin hooks into the second pair of drapes, which are the ones that will hang on the less-public side of the doorway. Use the same method as in Step 2.
- 5
  Stand facing the back side of the drapes you already hung to hang the second pair of drapes. Insert the pin hooks from this set of drapes into the hooks in the holes of the plastic carriers of the traverse rod, in the same holes in which the other set of drapes are already hanging. You may have to wiggle a little to get the pin hook in, but once you do, they will fall into place.

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