If you can’t (or won’t) put holes in the wall, adhesive hooks are a genuinely good way to hang curtains. Done right, they hold a lightweight curtain rod securely and come off cleanly when you move out — no spackle, no lost deposit. Done wrong, you wake up to a rod and curtains in a heap on the floor.
The difference comes down to choosing the right hooks, respecting the weight limit, and installing them patiently. Here’s the method.
When Command hooks are the right call
- You rent and can’t drill
- The curtains are lightweight to medium (sheers, light cotton, lightweight blackout)
- The window is a standard width (very wide spans put too much load on the adhesive)
- You want something removable and damage-free
For heavier drapes or very wide windows, a tension rod or adhesive bracket may work better — see our no-drill hanging guide for all the options.
Which Command products to use
- Adhesive hooks that the rod rests in — use a pair rated for the rod’s weight plus the curtains. Choose hooks designed to hold a rod or with a deep enough notch.
- Wire/utility hooks can cradle a thin rod.
- Always check the weight rating on the package and add up rod + curtains + hardware before you commit.
Respect the weight limit (this is where people fail)
The adhesive is the limiting factor. To stay safe:
- Use two hooks minimum (one per end); add a center hook for wider spans.
- Stay well under the combined weight rating — adhesive strength drops with shear (downward) load.
- Keep curtains light. This is not the method for heavy velvet or wide blackout drapes.
Step-by-step install
- Clean the wall with rubbing alcohol (not household cleaner — residue ruins adhesion). Let it dry fully.
- Mark hook placement level, above and wide of the window frame, the same as any rod (4–6″+ above, several inches past each side).
- Apply the adhesive strips to the hooks, press to the wall firmly for 30 seconds.
- Wait one hour before hanging anything — this cure time is critical and the most-skipped step.
- Rest the rod in the hooks and hang your (light) curtains.
How to keep them from falling
- Don’t rush the 1-hour cure.
- Clean with alcohol, never a greasy cleaner.
- Avoid steamy bathrooms/kitchens where humidity weakens adhesive — use tension rods there instead.
- Don’t overload — when in doubt, lighter curtains and an extra hook.
Frequently asked questions
Can you hang curtains with Command hooks?
Yes, for lightweight to medium curtains on a standard-width window. Use at least two hooks, clean the wall with alcohol first, respect the weight rating, and let the adhesive cure for an hour before hanging.
How much weight can Command hooks hold for curtains?
Check the package rating and stay well under it, since downward (shear) load is harder on adhesive than a flat picture. Keep the rod plus curtains light, and add hooks for wider spans.
Will Command hooks damage my walls?
No — that’s the point. The strips are designed to stretch off cleanly without taking paint, as long as you remove them by pulling the tab straight down slowly.
Why do my Command hook curtains keep falling?
Usually the wall wasn’t cleaned with alcohol, the adhesive didn’t cure for a full hour, the curtains are too heavy, or humidity weakened the bond. Fix those and use two or more hooks.
Hang curtains without a single hole
Command hooks are perfect for light curtains in a rental — and when you want a more permanent, heavier setup, we can help.
👉 Shop lightweight drapery, or book a free consultation for damage-free hanging ideas that fit your space.