How to Hang Curtains on a Bunk Bed – Step by Step Instructions with Tips
Bunk beds are not just popular among kids, many adolescents and adults also prefer bunk beds over simple beds. Some like them just because they are fun, others have more practical reasons like convenience and privacy. There are many ways to make bunk beds look cute. This article discusses how to increase privacy by hanging curtains on bunk beds. Make sure to take a look at our ultimate list of bunk bed accessories and how to make bunk beds more sturdy as well.
To hang curtains on a bunk bed follow these steps: take measurements for your curtain rods, get curtains that match your decor goals, attach hooks to the bunk bed, install the curtain rod, then install the curtains.
We’ll go into more detail below in the rest of the article.
As kids grow older they begin to want a sleeping space that they can call entirely their own and which has some degree of privacy. Instead of making your kids share a bed, giving them a bunk bed is a much more suitable option. While the two levels of the bunk bed provide some degree of privacy and freedom of space, there is another thing you can do to increase privacy: hang curtains on your bunk bed.
Hanging curtains on your bunk bed is also useful if you are sharing a dorm room with someone or you just want to give your bunk bed the feeling of a canopy bed. You can choose to hang curtains on one of the levels or both levels. The method used for hanging curtains on a bunk bed can vary depending upon the structure and material of the bunk bed and the type of curtains you are using.
For detailed instructions from a bunk bed manufacturer, take a look at these instructions from Max & Lily showing how to attach bunk bed curtains to their bunk beds. Also, if you're not worried about privacy as much, take a look at our step-by-step guide to hanging sheers on your canopy bed and our canopy bed scarf guide too.
Step 1. Take Measurements to Determine the Length of the Bunk Bed Curtains and the Curtain Rod
The first step is to take measurements for how long your curtain rod will be. Curtain rod measurement will vary according to the width of the bunk bed. The same measurement will help you decide the width of your curtains. The width of the curtain is always more than that of the rod to allow for the folds in the curtain. The more folds you want, the more you will have to increase the width of the curtain.
These bunk bed curtains from Amazon are great for a twin sized frame. The front panel measures 75" L x 33" H and the side panel measures 38.5" L x 33" H. Some ready-made curtains like these ones don’t need a curtain rod and simply use velcro adhesive.
The next step is to take measurements for the length of the curtains. If you are getting ready-made curtains then the measurement taken by you should match the length of the ready-made curtains. However, if you are just buying unstitched fabric for the curtain, make sure that its length is about two feet longer than the desired length of the curtain. This will allow sufficient fabric for the process of hemming.
Step 2. Get Curtains Whose Fabric Meets Your Purpose
Once you have taken all the measurements, it is time to get curtains. The fabric you choose for the curtains depends on the purpose you want to use the curtains for. If you want to have curtains for privacy, you might want to pick a thick fabric for the curtains or ready-made curtains made of some thick fabric.
If you want to use curtains for decorative purposes, you should go for a lightweight fabric that allows you to see through it. This will give a dreamy look to the room. There are various online sellers from which you can buy curtains; some companies can even prepare customized curtains for you. While buying curtains make sure that they are what you want and that they will provide good value for your money.
Here are some medium thickness, polyester, bunk bed curtains from Amazon that balance durability with style.
Step 3. Attach Curtain Rod Hooks of Good Quality
Once you have acquired the curtains, you will need something to hang them from, and here comes the role of hooks and rods. Buy some good quality curtain rod hooks and attach them firmly on to the bunk bed just below the upper bunk.
In most cases, you will have to drill holes in the bunk bed to attach the hooks. Make sure you buy the hooks that have a tightening system to hold the curtain rod firmly and to keep it from moving.
Here are some curtain rod hooks on Amazon that you can use to hang your curtain rods.
Step 4. Install the Curtain Rod
Having attached the hooks firmly to the bunk bed it is time to install the rod. To install the curtain rod into the curtain rod hooks, start by sliding it into the rod hole of one of the hooks and push it towards the other so that the rod is held by the hooks. Do NOT tighten the screws that are meant to keep the curtain rods in place.
(Alternative) Some curtains like these ones from amazon use a string instead of a curtain rod to simplify the installation.
Step 5. Hang Curtains on the Bunk Bed
Take one side of the rod out of one of the hooks while the other side is loosely held by the other hook. Slide in the curtain(s) on the rod and insert the rod back into the hook. Now you can adjust the position of the curtained rod to center it.
Once it is properly positioned, use the tightening system of the hooks to hold the rod securely in place. Enjoy your bunk bed with increased privacy.
Please note that some curtains come with hooks that allow them to be hanged by an already fixed rod. You can go for the option that you find more convenient.
Reasons to Hang Curtains on a Bunk Bed
Reasons to hang curtains on a bunk bed include (among others) providing more privacy, a dark environment for sleeping, a quick tidy look for the room, or a particular decor for a bed such as a castle (which is especially fun for children).
Curtains on a Bunk Bed Increase Privacy
The issue of privacy may not come up with two kids sharing a room. But when two adolescent siblings or adult roommates are sharing a bunk bed, they are very likely to want a private sleeping space. This can be achieved by hanging curtains around the bunk bed (as an example of how curtains provide a sense of privacy see Ikea’s cozy curtain design).
Curtains Block Light to help you Sleep in a Dark Environment
If two people sharing a bunk bed have different sleeping preferences, it can also be a reason to hang curtains. For example, if one of the sleepers is afraid to sleep in the dark and the other prefers a dark environment, the problem can be solved for both of them one of them hangs a curtain around his/her bunk to block light.
Bunk Bed Curtains Separate You from Your Clutter at Night
Curtains not only give a sense of privacy but also define the boundaries of the sleeping space. No matter how cluttered your room is, drawing you bunk bed curtains will allow you to cut yourself out of the clutter in your room and allow yourself a space that feels comfortable to sleep in.
Hanging Curtains on a Bunk Bed Creates a Dreamy Effect Using Fairy Lights and See-Through Curtains
You can also hang curtains around your bunk bed to create a dreamy effect in your room. Using some curtains of a light see-through fabric paired with some fairy lights can transform the whole look of your room and make your bunk bed look magical.
Curtains Can Add a Pop of Color to the Room
If your room has plain white walls and looks too basic and your bunk bed is also no different, you can spice things up by adding brightly colored curtains on your bunk bed. This will make your room look more lively.
Curtains on your Your Children’s Bunk Bed Can Give them an Illusion of a Little Sleeping Castle
Kids love to have places to hide and places they can use for their pretend play. You can use brick-printed curtains and hang it on your kids’ bunk bed to give it an illusion of a castle.
Curtains help Make the Room Look Cleaner without much hassle
With a busy routine, waking up every day and making your bed can be a hassle. Hanging curtains on the bunk bed can solve this problem. All you have to do is to draw the curtains of your bunk bed and voila, your room looks clean. Both lazy and busy people will like this idea.
How to Hang Curtains on a Metal Bunk Bed vs. a Wooden Bunk Bed?
To hang curtains on metal bunk beds vs. wooden bunk beds you follow almost the same method, except that you may need a different drill tip. You could also simply use suction cups or adhesive to install curtains on metal bunk beds.
Metal is much more challenging to drill hooks into, so you will need a different drill tip to drill holes into wood vs. metal.
Another challenge for metal bunk beds is that they tend to have a lot of rounded surfaces. So, adding hooks to these rounded surfaces is more challenging than flat wooden surfaces.
If you are using curtains that come with suction cups and do not require the use of curtain rods, you might want to make sure that the surface of your bunk bed is smooth. Suction cups cling better to smooth surfaces like metal bunk beds or polished wood. Crude or rough wood doesn’t work well with suction hooks. Here are some suction cup hooks from Amazon.
Tips to Hang Bunk Bed Curtains on the Top Bunk
We have previously discussed how to hang a curtain around the lower bunk of the bed. Some people prefer to make their top bunk private as well. For example, two college students sharing a dorm will both want their beds to have privacy.
To hang bunk bed curtains on the top bunk, you can install the rod on the ceiling, use a ready-made bunk bed canopy, fix screw-in bed risers on top of the bunk bed posts or buy a bunk bed with an enclosed structure.
However, hanging curtains to cover the upper bunk can sometimes seem tricky. This is because the bed structure normally does not go high enough to provide a place to install the curtain rod. In such a case, the alternative is to install the rod on the roof and hang curtains on it. Here’s a ceiling curtain track that you can use with beds.
You can also, alternatively, buy a ready-made bunk bed canopy that matches the size of your bed and keep it on the upper bunk. It will give you complete privacy.
Another creative hack is to use screw-in bed risers on top of the bunk bed posts to turn your upper bunk into a four-poster bed. You can then connect all four posts with a thick wire and use that wire to hang some lightweight curtains. Here’s a ready-made top bunk curtain that uses thick wire from Amazon.
Yet another option is to get a bunk bed with an enclosed structure. This will eliminate the need for hanging curtains altogether. Bunk beds that are shaped like houses and castles often have enclosed structures.
Examples of Easy-to-Install Bunk Bed Curtains
The following are some examples of some very easy-to-install curtains that you can use on your bunk bed.
| Product name and link | Description of why these bunk-bed curtains are easy to install | Price |
| Dormitory Bunk Bed Curtains | Available in a variety of colors and sizes, these curtains are very easy to install because the curtain rings are already installed in the curtains. You just have to slide them onto the rod. | ~$59.99 |
| Lush Decor Blush Riley Curtain | These beautiful curtains are perfect for a girl’s dorm room bunk bed to create a feminine look. They are easy to install as the fabric is hemmed from the top in a way that it can be easily slid onto the rod. | ~$42.99 |
| Portable Blackout Curtains for Bunk Beds | These blackout curtains are great if you like to sleep in the dark. They are also the easiest to install as they come with suction cups attached to them. You can remove and put up these curtains any time you want without going through much hassle. | ~$25.99 |
Note: If you are unable to find curtains that are the right length for your bunk bed, you can always trim them from the bottom and hem the ends or glue some decorative lace at the end to give the curtains a nice finish.
Related Articles:
- Are box springs necessary for a bunk bed?
- Guide to bunk bed sizes
- 10 canopy bed accessories and why you need them
- How to turn any bed into a canopy bed