How to put up a curtain rail between an open plan kitchen and living room? Where to connect brackets?

Joined
1 Jul 2022
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Country
United Kingdom
I'm new here and not the greatest at household DIY so I'm seeking advice. I live in a house with an open plan living room and kitchen. I have actually converted the living room into a music studio/band rehearsal area. What I want to do is put up a green screen curtain between the living room and kitchen, connected to a curtain pole, which can be used as a backdrop for videos and also be tidied away like a normal curtain when not in use. I've attached a photo taken from the living room looking at the kitchen. I want the curtain to run across the area where the strip divides the kitchen floor with the living room carpet - from the left side in front of the first cupboard to the back of the door on the right. The width is approx 3.3 metres.

I was thinking of buying a retractable curtain pole so it can be set to fit the length exactly. Presumably I'd need 2 brackets to put the curtain pole on, but how do I connect the brackets? To the ceiling? To the side walls? What shape/sort of bracket would I need? Or would I be better off simply getting a spring loaded curtain pole, which would then not need any brackets? I haven't seen one that wide, though.

The green screen curtain wouldn't be that heavy I don't think. I was planning on using some sort of green screen fabric, cutting it to size (width and height), then connecting it the the curtain pole with clip on curtain hooks.

Any advice and ideas about how to do this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Webp.net-resizeimage.jpg
 
Sponsored Links
That length of curtain pole will need more than 2 brackets. I would find a ceiling joist and fix 3 brackets to the ceiling. One each side and one in the middle. You can get curtain poles that will extend to fill that gap. Typically those that take the ring type curtains should be man enough.
 
Not necessarily, rather than a conventional curtain rail, a bit of say 33mm galvanised handrail could be utilised,
spanning from wall to wall with matching a bracket each end
Depends on the kind (and weight) of curtain anticipated being used of course.
 
That length of curtain pole will need more than 2 brackets. I would find a ceiling joist and fix 3 brackets to the ceiling. One each side and one in the middle. You can get curtain poles that will extend to fill that gap. Typically those that take the ring type curtains should be man enough.

Thanks for your reply, how do I find the ceiling joists? Can't I just drill into the walls at each side and put brackets on there?
 
Sponsored Links
You can but a conventional curtain rail will sag without a mid support hanger unless it's very heavy duty, hence my suggestion for a beefy pole instead, though even that would sag a little, again as mentioned it depends what kind of curtain material you have in mind and whether you're anticipating the curtain being drawn to one side only or both?
 
You can but a conventional curtain rail will sag without a mid support hanger unless it's very heavy duty, hence my suggestion for a beefy pole instead, though even that would sag a little, again as mentioned it depends what kind of curtain material you have in mind and whether you're anticipating the curtain being drawn to one side only or both?

The curtain material would be some sort of felt or green screen fabric, so wouldn't weigh as much as normal curtains. The idea of using a beefy pole is a good one, though, given the length and to help avoid sagging. So you're saying the brackets would be attached to the walls at each side, not the ceiling? And to answer your question, I'd be looking to draw the curtain to one side when not in use.
 
Last edited:
Yes, to each end with no mid support but will still probably sag a little, I guess maybe 5mm or something in the middle but probably not noticeable. But as mentioned if you don't mind two curtains that close in the middle then a central hanger won't be a problem, other than it's appearance and as to whether there is actually a something to fix it to in the centre, what is the floor above? Timber joists? Concrete slab?
 
Thanks for your reply, how do I find the ceiling joists?

If you can access the floor above, one easy way is to look at the nails fixing it to the joists, and measure from the walls.

Or, if you look at the ceiling with light shining across it, you may be able to see the nail dimples in the plasterboard.

Otherwise, drill one sample hole in the ceiling where you hope the joist will be, and use my Special Tool to find it.
 
Yes, to each end with no mid support but will still probably sag a little, I guess maybe 5mm or something in the middle but probably not noticeable. But as mentioned if you don't mind two curtains that close in the middle then a central hanger won't be a problem, other than it's appearance and as to whether there is actually a something to fix it to in the centre, what is the floor above? Timber joists? Concrete slab?

Oh yeh, I forgot that it'd have to be 2 curtains if there was a middle support also. I'd prefer one curtain, so your idea might be better. As for the floor above, it's a loft so I presume it has timber joists. Could you explain how I'd attach the 2 brackets to the side walls? I've never done that before. Is it ok (and safe) to just drill into the walls to attach them?
 
Last edited:
 
Last edited:
You need a ceiling fix curtain track. Something like this.

 
I'm sure some kind of pole, preferably large diameter, will look best. corded ones may have a good side and a "bad side" intended to face the wall. cording systems should be configurable so they will pull across from one side, or draw to the centre from both sides.

you can't use a simple pole with a central bracket if you are drawing from one side, as it will be in the way of the rings.

I used a corded pole across a very large window, and it used "G" shaped rings to pass the brackets fixed on the hidden side
 
I'm sure some kind of pole, preferably large diameter, will look best. corded ones may have a good side and a "bad side" intended to face the wall. cording systems should be configurable so they will pull across from one side, or draw to the centre from both sides.

you can't use a simple pole with a central bracket if you are drawing from one side, as it will be in the way of the rings.

I used a corded pole across a very large window, and it used "G" shaped rings to pass the brackets fixed on the hidden side

What do you mean by 'corded systems'? Do you have any examples, and are they available for 1 big curtain or only 2 curtain setups?
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top