How to Hang a Room Divider on an Angled Ceiling

Adding a room divider to a space, whether large or small, divides the area into separate "rooms." Whether you're installing heavy drapes, semisheer curtains, sliding panels or another decorative element, adding a room divider for a sloped ceiling requires a little extra planning. You can use ceiling tracks, brackets or ceiling hooks to ensure an attractive and effective end result.

Measure the area carefully, including the height of the ceiling at its lowest and highest points. Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists. These are usually spaced at 16 or 24 inches on center, so once you've ascertained the intervals, you can determine where to install the curtain track, brackets or hooks.

Take time to put on safety goggles and a dust mask. Also recruit a helper to monitor and to hand tools and materials to you while you're up on the ladder. Use a stud finder to locate the joists in the ceiling and mark the center point with a pencil. If there are no joists where you plan to hang the room divider, reconsider the location or install ceiling anchors, also known as toggle bolts.

An angled ceiling generally requires custom curtains or panels. A standard rectangular curtain or panel will be too long or too short on at least one side unless you devise a horizontal support system. Once you've decided what type of room divider fits your design, you can determine the best way to attach it to the ceiling.

When installing floor-to-ceiling curtains, measure and make grommet, tab or pleated drapes with an angled top to fit the angle of the ceiling. In general, drapes should hang slightly above the floor. For a full appearance, drapes or curtains should be between two and three times the width of the room, though pleated drapes can be "flat" across the top when closed.

Alternatively, if you are installing a rectangular curtain, beads, macramé or decorative panels, hang a supporting rod from the ceiling. This allows for light and air circulation while providing privacy and defining the space.

Ceiling tracks allow you to hang curtains or decorative wood or PVC panels, either solid or with carved patterns, from the ceiling. These versatile tracks may have one, two or three rails, which allow you to install a curtain or panel or up to three layers of panels that can be opened and closed like sliding closet doors. Depending on the manufacturer, curved corner pieces may also be available, allowing you to partially or fully enclose a defined area for privacy.

Mark the ceiling and pre-drill the mounting holes. Install toggle bolts if necessary. Then, screw the tracks to the ceiling according to the manufacturer's directions and add the roller gliders. Some gliders have a hole to attach curtain hooks, while other types incorporate hooks or clips.

When hanging curtains or custom panels that fit the angle of the ceiling, you may need to add an additional hook, stop or tie-back to the wall or peak of the ceiling so the gliders and curtain don't slip back down the angled track.

If you are using rectangular curtains, lightweight wood or PVC panels, you can install two or three brackets and hang the elements from a horizontal curtain rod. Measure carefully to ensure the brackets are the same distance from the floor and then install the horizontal bar at the appropriate height to accommodate the room divider.

Depending on your decor, the curtains may be tab top or grommeted. Curtain rings with eyelets, clips or hooks allow you to hang pleated drapes or attach decorative PVC panels from the horizontal rod. Hang the curtains or panels to complete the room divider.

Several simple ceiling hooks screwed into the ceiling joists or supported by toggle bolts can be used to hang airy, lightweight curtains or sheers. Sew curtain rings onto the top of the fabric or choose curtain rings with clips to attach it to the ceiling hooks. Allow the curtains to drape gracefully between the hooks as they follow the angled ceiling to the wall.