What is the best length for curtains?
Let's start with what's probably the most common of the curtain lengths: to the floor. This is the standard length for hanging curtains - either hitting the floor exactly or hovering a half inch off the ground.
Do curtains have to hang above or below the floor?
Curtains that drag on the floor could pose a tripping hazard and collect dust more easily. For the ideal middle ground, curtains should hover just above the floor. To find the right curtain length, measure from the floor to where you'll hang the rod (usually 4 to 6 inches above the window frame).
How do you measure a window for curtains?
Take these simple measurements to ensure perfect curtain placement. Measure the height from the floor to the top of your window frame to determine the curtain length you'll need. Curtains should just touch the floor or pool slightly. Determine where you'll hang your curtain rod based on the length of your curtains.
How high should curtain rods be?
The rod itself should be 8 to 12 inches longer than the width of the window, which allows for 4 to 6 inches on either side. Once you have panels in the right width and length, hang the curtains using this simple two-step process. Step 1: Determine how high to hang curtain rods. Wondering where to hang curtain rods?
Are curtains supposed to touch the floor?
So should curtains touch the floor? The short answer is yes... usually. But when making any decision about your window treatments, whether they're drapes, blinds, or shades, it's important to consider every aspect of style and function so you can choose the best option for your windows and your home.
How much of curtains should touch the floor?
1/2 inchJust Hitting the Floor or Sill The fabric should just touch the floor or hover 1/2 inch above. This is also a great approach for café curtains (short panels that cover only the lower portion of a window and hit the sill), which work well in spots like the kitchen and bathroom, where long drapes aren't practical.
What curtains are in style 2022?
In line with a more minimalist approach to drapery, 2022 curtains are trending towards cleaner, earthier colors. Rather than multicolored or patterned curtains, select drapes in neutral colors like cream, white or slate gray. You may also wish to go even more natural with olive, forest green or deep blue.
Do Curtains Need To Touch the Floor?
For an on-trend and pulled-together look, your curtains should graze the floor. However, you can ignore this rule if you’re hanging curtains on a small kitchen window, behind furniture, or hanging drapes over a radiator or baseboard heater.
How to Hang Your Curtains – Different Styles
While it’s true that having your curtains touch the floor is best in most cases, there are variations to this rule.
How to Measure for Curtains
If you’re ready for curtains, you need to know the curtain drop you’d like. The drop is the measurement from the top of your curtain rod to the curtain’s hem.
Should Your Curtains Be Longer than the Window?
Yes, your curtains should be longer than the window. Even if you prefer the short style of curtains, they should hit the bottom of the windowsill or extend an inch or so below it.
How Far Should Curtains Be off the Floor?
Believe it or not, your curtains don’t have to be off the floor – it all depends on what style you’re going for. The most in-favor way to hang curtains is the kiss or graze method. You’ll want your curtains to barely touch or “kiss” the floor for this style.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering if your curtains should touch the floor, it depends on what style you like best. The biggest mistake to avoid is hanging your curtains, so they hit between the windowsill and baseboard.
How high above floor should curtains be?
For the ideal middle ground, curtains should hover just above the floor. To find the right curtain length, measure from the floor to where you'll hang the rod (usually 4 to 6 inches above the window frame).
Can curtains be a few inches off the floor?
Standard curtains typically hang from about a half-inch from the floor to halfway between the window trim and average-height ceiling. But to maximize visual height, let the walls determine your curtain's length; in a living room, library, den or bedroom, the longer the panels, the better.
Are curtains supposed to touch the floor?
It is normal for curtains to touch the floor. Some styles even need more length to produce a certain look. Using any of the curtain length styles is fine as long as it enhances the beauty of your home.
How far off the floor should floor length curtains be?
This is usually achieved with just an extra two or three inches of fabric, though sometimes - especially in more formal or traditional rooms - drapes will extend six inches past the floor so that the fabric puddles on the ground.
How far below the window should curtains hang?
While fashion once dictated a “flood level” bottom line for curtains—one that hung just past the window sill, short enough that it would not get wet in a flood—today, style calls for curtains to either hang down to within ½-inch of the floor or even puddle slightly.
How high should you hang curtains with 9 foot ceilings?
For a 9 foot ceiling, pick 96-inch curtains. Typically, your curtain rod is hung about a foot from the ceiling. 96 inches covers the distance between the floor up to one foot from the ceiling.
How far should curtains be from the ceiling?
The higher the curtain rod, the taller the window will appear, so fix your curtain rod closer to the ceiling than the top of your window, if you can. One rule of thumb is that they should sit 4-6 inches above the window frame.
Are curtains supposed to touch the floor?
It is normal for curtains to touch the floor. Some styles even need more length to produce a certain look. Using any of the curtain length styles is fine as long as it enhances the beauty of your home.
Can curtains be a few inches off the floor?
Standard curtains typically hang from about a half-inch from the floor to halfway between the window trim and average-height ceiling. But to maximize visual height, let the walls determine your curtain's length; in a living room, library, den or bedroom, the longer the panels, the better.
How far below the window should curtains hang?
While fashion once dictated a “flood level” bottom line for curtains—one that hung just past the window sill, short enough that it would not get wet in a flood—today, style calls for curtains to either hang down to within ½-inch of the floor or even puddle slightly.
How high should you hang curtains with 9 foot ceilings?
For a 9 foot ceiling, pick 96-inch curtains. Typically, your curtain rod is hung about a foot from the ceiling. 96 inches covers the distance between the floor up to one foot from the ceiling.
Can curtains be 1 inch from floor?
Interior designers note the bottom of your curtains should fall to the floor, and you can even let them “puddle” a bit. However, if you don't want your curtains to drag on the floor when you open and close them, let them stop about an inch from the floor, but no more.
How high should curtains be above window?
4-6 inches The higher the curtain rod, the taller the window will appear, so fix your curtain rod closer to the ceiling than the top of your window, if you can. One rule of thumb is that they should sit 4-6 inches above the window frame.
How high do you hang 84 inch curtains?
When you buy them in stores or online, there are two standard lengths: 84 inches and 95 or 96 inches. The length of the curtain dictates the height of the rod. If you buy 84-inch-long curtains, the rod must be mounted roughly 84 inches from the floor if the curtains hang from the rod without rings.
What is the standard length of a curtain?
Basic Curtain Lengths: To the Floor. Let's start with what's probably the most common of the curtain lengths: to the floor. This is the standard length for hanging curtains - either hitting the floor exactly or hovering a half inch off the ground.
What is the most extreme curtain length?
Last, there's the most extreme curtain length: puddled. This is a typical French look (think the Rococo period ), and is most successful with high ceilings and, usually, expensive fabric. Typically silks are going to billow the best, being both lightweight and a natural fiber.
How to tell if curtains are high?
By hanging your curtains from the highest point on the wall, your eye travels up the line, causing you to notice that there is height in the space you are standing in. Source: AVharrison Publishing. If your living space has high ceilings already, compliment them with tall curtain lengths.
Why hang curtains from the ceiling?
Whether it's the double yellow line on the highway, or the walkway to your front door, your eye is drawn towards (and up) pathways. By hanging your curtains from the highest point on the wall, your eye travels up the line, causing you to notice that there is height in the space you are standing in.
Where are cafe curtains common?
Café curtains are fairly common where there's a window sill over, say, a sink in a kitchen. Or, in their namesake, cafés, where you wouldn't want curtains dragging the floor of such a busy, public place. Source: Decor Pad.
Where do you hang cafe curtains?
Café curtains are hung usually at the halfway point of a window, or on the bottom pane of a two-part window. They're great for when you need a bit of privacy (like in this bathroom pictured above), but don't necessarily want to block out all the natural light coming through the window.
Do high water curtains look bad?
Personally, I don't see anything wrong with "high water" hung curtains. If you're the follow the rest type of person then so be it. My curtains are a foot off the floor and look great
How Far Should Curtains be From the Floor?
Professionals recommend that your curtains hang no more than ½ inch from the floor. However, many interior designers recommend that you hang curtains that touch the floor. Curtains that touch the floor are desirable because they can add depth to a room.
Curtains 2 Inches off the Floor
Most interior designers will tell you that a 2-inch distance from the floor to the bottom of the curtain is too much. However, modern homeowners often hang curtains that hang between 2 and 3 inches from the floor. This casual look can make the curtains look airier, especially when there is a breeze or the air conditioner turns on.
Curtains 4 Inches off Floor
Curtains that hang 4 inches off the floor are casual and modern. However, it can be a distracting look if you have no decorations underneath them. One way to avoid this is to line the floor underneath the curtains with houseplants to make the space more lively.
Can You Shorten Curtains?
You can shorten curtains without having to cut them at all. All that you need is a sewing hem and you won’t need to worry about damaging the fabric. Cutting curtains is a bad way to shorten them because it can render them useless for future use if you put them in a different spot or house altogether.
Puddle Curtains
Puddle or puddled curtains throw away all of the rules of how far curtains should hang down. Not only do puddled curtains touch the ground, but they bunch up at the bottom to create a puddle. The excess fabric creates a “puddle” that sits on the floor in a unique shape.
Can Curtains be Too Long?
Curtains can only be too long if you don’t want them to puddle on the floor. It also depends on your taste and whether or not you measured the space before you hung the curtains. Some curtains may be too long for you if you were expecting them to be at least ½ inch from the floor.
Should Curtains Match Wall Color?
Curtains should match wall color if you want to create a monochromatic aesthetic throughout the room. Matching your walls with your curtains can make them look natural and like they are part of the wall. However, that can be bland for homeowners that want to add character to a space.
How high should curtains be above the floor?
Hovering an inch or less above the floor. Another stylish option is to have curtains hover very slightly above the floor: no more than an inch. This style makes opening and closing the drapes or curtains easy, so it’s a great option for windows that will be used often.
How far do drapes break?
Breaking at the floor. Some people opt for their curtains or drapes to break at the floor, with fabric extending past the ground. This is usually achieved with just an extra two or three inches of fabric, though sometimes - especially in more formal or traditional rooms - drapes will extend six inches past the floor so that ...
What does it mean when your floor is a few millimeters off?
This option is also more forgiving than those that precisely hit the floor, which means your measuring and hemming won’t be derailed if it’s a few millimeters off. It also means you don’t have to worry if you have slightly uneven floors.
Can you hang curtains above the ground?
Short curtains and drapes are not ideal, and most often you don’t want curtains that hang more than an inch above the ground. Too short curtains can not only look outdated, but they can also sometimes make the ceiling look lower. However, there are a couple of scenarios where short curtains are a more practical option.
Should curtains touch the floor?
So should curtains touch the floor? The short answer is yes...usually. But when making any decision about your window treatments, whether they’re drapes, blinds, or shades, it’s important to consider every aspect of style and function so you can choose the best option for your windows and your home.
Can you use drapes on a window?
The short answer is yes...usually. But when making any decision about your window treatments, whether they’re drapes, blinds, or shades, it’s important to consider every aspect of style and function so you can choose the best option for your windows and your home.
Do curtains hang on the floor?
The answer isn’t necessarily intuitive, especially since most windows in a home don’t extend all the way to the ground, but more often than not, curtains and drapes look best when they reach the floor. However, just how low drapes should hang actually depends on a few factors, and sometimes you may even want them to exceed floor length. Here are a few different ways to hem your curtains and drapes, and what you need to consider when deciding which look is best for your windows.
How far above the floor should curtains be?
For the ideal middle ground, curtains should hover just above the floor. To find the right curtain length, measure from the floor to where you'll hang the rod (usually 4 to 6 inches above the window frame). Curtains come in common lengths like 63, 84, and 96 inches.
How wide should curtains be before hanging?
Before you start hanging curtains, make sure the panels are wide enough to cover your home's windows. You don't want to be rudely awakened by a beam of sunlight that the curtains don't block, so measure your window dimensions before purchasing or making your curtains. The total width of your curtain panels should add up to about two times the width of the window.
How to hang curtains before you buy?
Before you start hanging curtains, make sure the panels are wide enough to cover your home's windows. You don't want to be rudely awakened by a beam of sunlight that the curtains don't block, so measure your window dimensions before purchasing or making your curta ins.
How long should a curtain rod be?
Curtains come in common lengths like 63, 84, and 96 inches. Choose one closest to your measurement, erring on the side of a few inches longer rather than shorter. Additionally, be sure to choose a curtain rod that's wider than your window.
How many times should a curtain panel be?
Curtain panels should be about two times the width of the window. Choosing the correct curtain length for your windows is also important. Besides looking awkward, too-small curtains visually shorten your space, making ceilings appear lower and the room smaller overall.
What is a curtain?
Curtains are an essential accessory in living spaces and bedrooms. This hardworking home decor provides privacy, blocks harsh sunlight, helps you achieve restful sleep, and spruces up windows with texture and color.
Do you need to mount a curtain rod?
It's essential to mount curtain rods in the right spot, or your perfect-length curtains might not hang properly. A rod that sits too close to the window can make a space seem smaller than it really is. Follow these steps to ensure perfect curtain placement.
How far should curtains be from the floor?
If they do puddle at the floor, you can wash your curtains as needed. When it comes to the width, your curtains should be at least two times the width of the window.
How high should curtains be hung?
A rule of thumb (from Architectural Digest) is that curtains should be hung between four to six inches above the window frame, so install your curtain rod accordingly. When you hang the curtain rod high, it will make the window appear taller.
How to mount curtain rods?
How to Mount the Curtain Rods. When selecting the right curtain rod, go for one that is a bit wider than the width of your window. This will allow whatever curtains you chose to cover the window at all times. Go for a curtain rod that is between eight and 12 inches wider than your window, as it will give the illusion that your window is larger ...
Why do we need curtains?
Curtains can help tie a room together. Not only do curtains offer privacy, they can lend color, control light and add texture and warmth to your space.
Can you hide a curtain rod?
If you don’t like the look of your curta in rod, there are more appealing hardware options. Decorative curtain rods are an easy and inexpensive way to upgrade your window hardware. You can also hide the curtain rod with a DIY window cornice. Originally Published: October 13, 2020.
