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Hunker reported on an Instagram tip from creator @stephanieboothhome that uses two taped sheets of paper as a template for positioning curtain rod brackets. The method transfers screw-hole locations across a window using the trim as a guide, though measurements and a level remain useful checks before drilling.
A paper template can help homeowners mark matching curtain rod bracket positions on both sides of a window before drilling, according to a Hunker report about a tip shared by Instagram creator @stephanieboothhome. The method uses the window trim as a reference, offering a way to transfer screw-hole locations without estimating the second bracket’s position from scratch.
The template is made from two sheets of paper taped together into a corner shape. At one upper corner of the window, one sheet is aligned with the top of the trim and the other with the outside edge of the side trim. The bracket is placed over the paper where it is intended to sit, and its screw holes are marked in pencil. Small holes are then made through those marks in the paper.
To transfer the positions, the paper is flipped over and aligned with the top and outside edges of the trim at the opposite upper corner. The holes in the template then guide pencil marks on the wall. The report says the installer can also return the template to the first side and mark there before fitting the brackets with the appropriate hardware.
The listed materials include a curtain rod, mounting hardware, paper, tape, a pencil and a drill. Hunker also recommends keeping a measuring tape and level nearby to check the placement. Wall anchors may be needed if the screws will not be fastened into studs, but the right hardware depends on the wall and the bracket manufacturer’s instructions.
Fewer Guesses Before Drilling
The practical appeal is straightforward: bracket placement on one side of a window can be copied to the other, which may reduce repeated measuring and help avoid misplaced holes. That matters for people installing a rod alone, as well as for anyone who wants to check the layout before making permanent marks in the wall.
The paper guide is a positioning aid, not a substitute for checking the installation. Window trim may not be perfectly level or symmetrical, and the template only transfers the placement it was given. A level and measuring tape can help catch alignment issues, while suitable fixings and secure attachment matter for supporting the rod and curtains.
The same approach may also help plan other wall-mounted items. Hunker says a paper outline can be used to test where a picture frame or shelf should sit and to mark the location of its hanging hardware before making holes. Keeping a usable template could save repeating that layout work later, although it would need to match the item and wall arrangement.
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How the Paper Guide Transfers Marks
The reported trick addresses a common part of curtain installation: locating the second bracket at a height and distance that matches the first. If each position is measured separately, small differences in where a tape measure starts or how a mark is read can affect the result. A paper template carries the marked screw-hole positions across the window instead.
Its reference points are the top and outer edges of the trim. Those edges let the installer place the template in corresponding positions on either side. Flipping it matters because the two corners face in opposite directions. The report presents the process as a simple DIY tip, rather than a tested product or a guarantee that every window will produce a perfectly level installation.
Hunker also describes adapting the idea to wall decor: trace an item onto paper, mark its hanging hardware positions, and tape the template to the wall while deciding on placement. That use shares the same principle—preview and transfer marks on paper before committing to holes—but the curtain method specifically relies on matching window-trim edges.
“The paper helps transfer the bracket placement from one side of the window to the other, using the window trim as a guide.”
— Hunker, reporting on the Instagram tip
Limits of the Template Method
The source does not provide independent testing, measurements of accuracy or evidence that the method works equally well with every window. It also does not say whether the tip’s creator tested it on uneven trim or windows where the two sides do not line up. The template transfers marks relative to the edges used; it cannot establish that those edges are level or that the chosen bracket position is suitable for every curtain and rod.
Details such as the weight of the curtains, the wall material, the bracket design and the required anchor type will vary by installation. The report mentions wall anchors when screws are not going into studs but does not specify anchor ratings or give installation instructions for different wall types. Readers should follow the hardware manufacturer’s guidance and check that the supports are appropriate for the load.
The source also does not give a publication date for the original social media post or say whether the creator has published further guidance. The reported steps and materials are available, but the article does not establish how widely the method has been used or whether it prevents installation errors in all cases.
Check Alignment Before Installing
Anyone trying the hack can use the paper marks as a starting point, then check both bracket positions with a measuring tape and level before drilling. Confirm the rod’s intended height and width, and compare the planned locations with the bracket and curtain instructions. If the trim edges are uneven, the template may need adjustment rather than being copied exactly.
Before making holes, identify the wall material and select fixings suited to it. Where a screw is not entering a stud, use an appropriate wall anchor and follow its instructions; do not assume every anchor can support the same weight. After installing the brackets, check that they are secure before placing the rod and curtains on them.
Hunker’s report does not announce a follow-up or a formal test of the hack. For now, the next step for readers is a practical one: make the template, test the proposed position, and verify the measurements and fixings before drilling.
Key Questions
What is the paper hack for hanging curtains?
It uses two sheets of paper taped together as a corner-shaped template. Mark one bracket’s screw-hole positions on the paper, then flip and align the template at the other side of the window to transfer those marks.
What materials does the method require?
The report lists paper, tape, a pencil, a curtain rod, mounting hardware and a drill. It also recommends having a level and measuring tape available, and says wall anchors may be needed when not fastening into studs.
Can the template replace a level or measuring tape?
No. The template transfers the marks relative to the window trim, but it does not confirm that the trim is level or that the final layout is correct. Hunker recommends using a level and measuring tape to double-check the work.
Can this paper method be used for pictures or shelves?
Hunker says a similar approach can help plan wall decor. Trace the item and mark its hanging hardware on paper, tape the template to the wall, and adjust its position before marking holes. The required fixings still depend on the item and wall.
Source: hunker.com
