TL;DR
Get decor and gifts delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Hunker describes a curtain-hanging method shared by Instagram creator @stephanieboothhome: tape two sheets of paper into a corner-shaped template, mark the bracket holes, then flip the template to transfer their positions to the other side of the window. The method is intended to reduce guesswork before drilling, but the report provides no testing data or measurements of its accuracy.
Hunker has reported a paper-template method shared by Instagram creator @stephanieboothhome to help homeowners align curtain-rod brackets on both sides of a window. The technique uses the window trim as a reference and transfers marked screw-hole positions with a flipped paper guide, offering a way to check placement before making holes in the wall.
The template is made by placing two sheets of paper against a window’s upper corner. One sheet is aligned with the top of the trim and the other with the outside edge of the side trim; taping them together creates a corner-shaped guide. The curtain bracket is positioned over the paper where it is intended to sit, and its screw holes are marked with a pencil. Small openings are then made through those marks using a screw tip.
To transfer the positions, the paper is flipped over and aligned with the corresponding top and outside edges of the trim on the opposite side of the window. A pencil is used to mark the wall through the guide’s holes. The same template can also be returned to the first side to mark that bracket’s positions. The report recommends having a level and measuring tape nearby to check the layout before installing the mounting hardware.
The materials listed include a curtain rod, its mounting hardware, paper, tape, a pencil and a drill. Wall anchors may be needed when the screws are not going into studs. The report also suggests adapting the approach for picture frames or shelves by tracing the item, marking its hanging hardware on paper and moving the paper on the wall to test placement before marking holes.
A Paper Guide Before Drilling
Bracket alignment can be difficult when a person is working alone: each position has to match the other side while also relating to the window trim. The paper guide provides a repeatable reference point instead of requiring the installer to estimate the second bracket’s location by eye. That may help avoid misplaced holes, though the source does not report measured results or a comparison with other methods.
The technique is inexpensive and uses common household materials, so it may be useful to renters or homeowners who want to plan the layout before drilling. Its broader application to pictures and shelves follows the same principle: test placement on a movable template before making marks on a wall. Users still need to select suitable mounting hardware and check that the final installation is level and secure.
Popular right now
De'Longhi Rivelia Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Frother
Shark Rotator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter (NV501)
Dyson Car+Boat Cordless Handheld Vacuum
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Template Uses Window Trim
The method depends on the window trim’s top and outside edges as visual reference lines. Once the template records where the bracket holes should fall in relation to those edges, flipping it provides a corresponding position on the other side. The source presents the approach as a practical alignment aid, rather than as a replacement for measuring or checking the installation.
Hunker’s report attributes the idea to an Instagram post by @stephanieboothhome. It does not provide the post’s date, the creator’s additional comments or independent testing. The article describes the steps and suggested materials, but does not specify exact distances between brackets, how far the rod should extend beyond the window, or how to account for unusual trim or wall conditions.
“The paper helps transfer the bracket placement from one side of the window to the other, using the window trim as a guide.”
— Hunker, describing the technique shared by Instagram creator @stephanieboothhome
Accuracy Depends on the Setup
The source does not say whether the method has been tested for accuracy, how much time it saves or how often it prevents extra holes. It also gives no measurements for bracket height or spacing, leaving those decisions to the installer and the curtain rod’s instructions. Results may depend on whether the window trim is even and whether its reference edges can be lined up consistently on both sides.
Other installation details remain unspecified, including the appropriate anchor type for different wall materials and the load limits of the mounting hardware. The report does not establish that the template alone can compensate for uneven walls or trim. The paper marks should be treated as a planning aid; hardware instructions and appropriate checks still matter before drilling.
Check the Marks Before Installing
Before drilling, compare the marked positions with a measuring tape and level, confirm that the brackets suit the rod and wall, and check whether the fasteners will enter studs. If not, choose suitable wall anchors for the wall type and follow their installation instructions. Once the positions are confirmed, install the brackets with the specified hardware, then fit the rod and curtains.
For people using the idea on frames or shelves, the next step is to tape the paper outline to the wall, adjust its position, and mark the hanging points only after the layout is settled. Hunker also suggests saving templates for later use. The source gives no further testing or follow-up information about the curtain method.
Key Questions
What does the paper template do?
It records the bracket screw-hole positions in relation to the window trim, then transfers those positions to the other side when flipped. The aim is to reduce guesswork before drilling.
What materials are needed?
The report lists two sheets of paper, tape, a pencil, a curtain rod and its mounting hardware, plus a drill. Wall anchors may be needed if the screws will not be fastened into studs. A level and measuring tape are recommended for checking the layout.
Does the hack guarantee level curtain brackets?
No such guarantee is reported. Hunker recommends using a level and measuring tape to double-check the marks, and the source provides no test results or accuracy measurements.
Can the template be used for other wall decor?
Hunker says the same idea can be adapted for picture frames or shelves: trace the item, mark its hanging hardware on paper, and move the template around to plan placement before marking the wall.
Source: hunker.com
