How to Hang Curtain Lights? | Straight Top Edge, Even Drape

For the full breakdown, see our best Curtain Lights Indoor guide.

Hanging curtain lights comes down to one job: keeping the horizontal “mother line” straight and supported so the vertical strands hang evenly without sagging. The right method depends on your surface, how you want the lights to drape, and whether you can leave holes. Measure your span first, lay the set out flat to untangle it, then pick the attachment method that fits your wall or rod. Done that way, the install takes well under an hour and looks clean the first time.

How To Hang Curtain Lights: Step-By-Step

The process is the same for most sets—Govee, Twinkly, or generic LED curtain lights. Treat the top wire as the structure and the vertical strands as decoration.

1. Lay the set flat. Untangle the vertical strands and find the top wire—the horizontal “mother line” that carries power. Let the strands fall straight so they don’t twist or cross.
2. Measure your span. Mark where the top wire meets each vertical drop along the wall, window frame, or rod. These marks become your support points so no section sags.
3. Prep the surface. Wipe the wall or window frame clean. Dust weakens adhesive hooks, so a quick wipe with a damp cloth makes the bond last.
4. Install your attachment method (pick from the table below based on your surface and whether holes are okay).
5. Hang the top wire first. Seat the mother line into the hooks or clips, then let the vertical strands cascade. Adjust spacing so they hang straight and even.
6. Tidy the cord. Clip excess cord along the top wire, and route the power cord to the nearest outlet without crossing a walkway.

When it works, you’ll see a level top edge with all strands falling roughly parallel—no dips, no bunched sections.

Choosing A Support Method

Which attachment holds up depends on the surface and weight. Here’s how the main options compare.

For smooth interior walls, adhesive hooks work well if you space them consistently and give the adhesive its full cure time—usually a few hours—before hanging anything. On textured or rough surfaces, go straight to screw hooks; adhesive won’t grab reliably. If hanging behind an existing curtain, place hooks about 10 cm above the rod so the lights sit fully behind the drape.

Indoor And Outdoor Tips That Matter

Outdoor installs change the math. For pergolas and gazebos, zip ties are the go-to because they fasten to wood or metal frames without screws. For smaller gauge wire sets outdoors, surface mount clips hold the top wire flat against a beam. Keep the strands from tangling as you go—twisted strands drape unevenly and pull on the mother line, distorting the whole panel.

Over a window, an existing curtain rod is the simplest support: just drape the top wire over it and adjust the strands. This means zero wall damage. If no rod exists, adhesive hooks on the frame are the next easiest option—just confirm the frame is smooth and clean first.

One caution: don’t overload adhesive hooks. They’re rated for a specific weight, and a dense curtain light panel can exceed that if you use too few hooks. When in doubt, add more support points, and always wait for the adhesive to cure before hanging the full weight.

Heavier sets like the Govee Curtain Lights can be hung with adhesive hooks, seamless nails, or from an existing curtain rod—pick based on whether you’re renting and how permanent you want the install. If you’re still deciding which set to buy, our roundup of the best curtain lights for indoor use compares top options by brightness, control, and price.

Finally, route the power cord safely. Keep it clipped along the top edge or down a corner so it doesn’t dangle mid-wall, and plug into a surge protector where possible. For outdoor installs, ensure your outlet is GFCI-rated and any extension cord is rated for outdoor use.