Curtains can level up any room in your house. From modern linen panels in the living room to bedroom blackout curtains necessary for getting good rest in the summer, curtains serve for both function and decor. Aesthetically, if you live in a smaller space like an apartment or a tiny home, adding curtains can make the room look bigger.

When it comes to buying the perfect curtains for your home, you’ll have plenty of options in color, style, material and price. As great as curtains are, they pose a challenge for perfectionists. Perfectly spacing panel curtains can feel like an impossible task, made especially challenging since the curtain bar is not exactly at eye level. Sure, you could use the broom handle or find the yardstick to help, but we have some easier ways to solve the issue of how to space curtains.

How to Space Your Curtains with Toilet Paper Rolls

@littlepettittpad ✌️ Curtain Spacing Hack have you tried this 🙌 #homehacks #homestylinghacks #curtainshack #homedecorideasuk #homedecortrends #homedecortrends2023 ♬ Cool Kids (our sped up version) – Echosmith

TikTok user @littlepettittpad shared an easy and nearly free hack about how to space curtains with toilet paper rolls. Here’s how to replicate the hack at home.

• Remove the curtain rod and curtains
• Alternate sliding one curtain grommet onto the curtain rod followed by one toilet paper roll. Be sure the toilet paper roll is placed on the back side of the curtain that’ll face the window.
• Repeat on the other side
• Rehang the curtain rod

It’s as simple as that. Best of all, toilet paper rolls are something every household has around.

Other Ways to Space Your Curtains

If you’re not in the mood to wait for enough toilet paper rolls to accumulate before attempting this method, here are some alternatives for how to space curtains.

Use Plastic Pipe

Instead of using toilet paper rolls, you can achieve the same effect by using plastic or PVC piping. Your local hardware store can likely cut it into your desired size—just be sure to choose piping wide enough that it’ll slide onto the curtain rod. Using plastic pipes could even last longer than toilet paper rolls since they’re more durable. Although, you’ll have to invest in some piping rather than reusing something already at home unless you happen to have some lying around.

Use Other Household Cardboard Rolls

In addition to toilet paper, a few other household items come with cardboard rolls in the core. Saving all of them can be a quicker method instead of using just toilet paper rolls. Wrapping paper rolls, lint rollers and paper towel rolls could easily be used instead of or in addition to toilet paper rolls. Just be sure to cut each of them to equal lengths to get evenly spaced curtains.

Use a Foam Pool Noodle or Foam Pipe Covers

A pool noodle or foam pipe cover could also do the trick of getting evenly spaced grommets. For this method, you’ll want to use a pool noodle with a hollow center or head to your local hardware store for some foam pipe covers. Cut the foam to your desired width and slide it between the curtain grommets just like you would if you were using toilet paper rolls.