
How far should Curtains hang above the floor?
- Floor length curtains should just skim the floor or hang a 1/2″ above it.
- You could allow a break of 1″ to 3″. ...
- To create a more extravagant puddling effect, allow for an extra 6″ to 9″ in length. ...
- To determine the measurement of floor length curtains, measure from the top of the rod to the floor. ...
What size curtains for a 10-foot ceiling?
Ready-made curtains generally come in standard lengths: 84 inches for 8-foot ceilings, 96 inches for 9-foot ceilings and 108 inches for 10-foot ceilings. If you like to puddle your curtains, simply buy one size up. You can sometimes find curtains that are 120 inches long; these work well for puddling curtains in a home with 10-foot ceilings.
How to hang a long curtain from the ceiling?
- Measure the height from ceiling to floor. ...
- If you want the ends of your draperies to reach just the windows, make a measurement and mark the area on the wall below the windows where you want the ...
- The ceiling’s height determines how to hang your curtains. ...
What size are long curtains?
Usually, curtains are available in the following lengths:
- 63 inches
- 84 inches
- 96 inches
- 108 inches
- 120 inches
How wide are curtains?
How to determine curtain size?
How far down do curtains leave?
How far above the window should a curtain rod be?
How far should a floating curtain be from the floor?
What do curtains do to a room?
What is floating curtain?
See 2 more

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 to Measure for Curtains
There are two types of curtains available, ready-made and custom. Ready-made curtains are most common and most budget friendly, but these curtain sizes require close attention to ensure they fit correctly. Custom curtains are ideal for unusually shaped or sized windows, but require precise measurements to the perfect fit.
Curtain Width
The standard curtain width is measured from left to right. More often than not, most curtains and drapes need to measure at least two to three times more than the window width in order to give a full appearance when hanging.
Curtain Length
The length of a curtain is measured by the span of the space that you wish for the drape to cover – whether this is just over a window, or all the way to the floor. These curtain sizes vary depending on your style preferences. Curtain length can also be adjusted by moving the curtain rod itself, though this is not ideal.
Curtain Rods
Once you have learned how to measure for curtains, you can read our guides Types of Curtain Rods and How to Hang Curtains for more info on purchasing and installing curtain rods.
Curtain Panels
All curtains are sold in panels, one panel being one piece of fabric. This also directly translates to the individual curtain size. Curtain panels are most frequently purchased in pairs to frame each side of the window, though there are instances where an individual or an uneven number of panels are needed.
Curtain Styles
Each room in your home can benefit from curtains in a different way. Sill- or floor-length curtains may work well in your bedroom, while pooled curtains may look stylish in your living room. Rooms with smaller windows, like the kitchen or bathroom, would do well with top window treatments.
Top Window Treatments
Valances & Kitchen Curtains: Window valances and kitchen curtains are also known as top window treatments, since they hang over the top quarter or 10" – 30" of a window. They are most frequently installed over a sink, though people do also hang them over top of full curtains to create a luxurious aesthetic and add visual height to a window.
What are the standard curtain sizes?
So What Are the Standard Curtain Sizes? In the US, the standard curtain panels are 48” wide while their length comes in four different sizes; 63 inches, 84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. Curtains that are 84 inches or above are used only where there are very low ceilings so they can create the illusion of height in the room.
How big should a curtain be?
The minimum curtain size should always be 6 inches. This will provide you with extra length below the window for better privacy from every angle, and with enough room above to fill the space between the window and the rod.
What Is A Standard Size Curtain Rod?
Although curtain rods come in different sizes, the most common lengths that can be found in local home improvement stores are 28, 48, 84, 66, and 120 inches. To find out what size curtain rods you need, measure it. When it comes to measuring curtain rods, this is not a difficult task. First, measure your window dimensions and then add 6 inches to each side. By using the pencil, mark your walls so you can precisely place your rods.
How To Measure For the Correct Curtain Length?
You should measure from the floor up to the rod where you plan on placing your curtains and make sure to measure it with a trustworthy measuring tape.
What are the curtains that kiss the floor?
If you have a high ceiling in your room or a room that needs blackout curtains, you may want to buy curtains that are the floor kissing length. Those are the curtains that are longer and “kiss” the floor but are not spilled/pooled on the floor.
How to measure curtain size?
To know what size curtains you need, measure the width of the rod from left to right. The width is always written first and then the length follows when talking about the curtain measurements. If the measurements are 54″ x 84″ , they are 54 inches wide and 84 inches long.
How wide are curtain panels?
Most of the time the curtain width is not the problem. Standard curtain panels are usually 48 inches wide. If you maybe have windows that are wider, you can always put more curtains on them. What the real issue is, is the curtain length.
How long are curtains?
Standard curtains come in three lengths—84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. "Generally, you want to stay away from the 84 inch standard curtains unless you have very low ceilings. They don't look right in most scenarios and end up being an awkward length," says Curtis. The 96 inch and 108 inch lengths work in a wider range of typical spaces. Round to whichever length is closest to your measurements, Curtis suggests. "And when in doubt, err on the side of longer rather than awkwardly short," she says. That rule stands even if your curtains will land behind a piece of furniture: "I never try to fake it," says Curtis. "You'll be able to tell as the curtains won't have as much physical and visual weight to them."
What can a designer do to make sure your curtains are exactly the right length?
A designer can make sure your curtains are exactly the right length, even if your floor isn't level ; help you choose a print or pattern that works best for the size of your curtains and your space; and leave you with a polished finished product that's worth the extra cost.
How far above window trim should curtains be?
But for curtains, it's all about measuring properly. "Typically, 10 is your magic number, with 10 inches above the trim and 10 inches wider than your window on each side being the best fit," says Curtis.
Do curtains graze the floor?
Professional designers follow one hard and fast rule in order to achieve the perfect dimensions, says Kati Curtis of Kati Curtis Design. "Your curtains should graze the floor," the interior designer explains. But how you achieve this—by correctly measuring your window and ordering your fabric—is what's most essential to creating a streamlined ...
Can I make curtains for a room?
While you might be able to make a case for standard curtains in a room you plan to redo —like your kids' rooms or a soon-to-be-renovated office—Curtis encourages custom curtains over standard lengths in every situation. Asking a local tailor to hem pre-made curtains according to your measurements is a budget-friendly way to get a custom look, but working with a professional designer has countless benefits. "People generally have no idea what goes into making window treatments or the investment they can be," says Curtis. A designer can make sure your curtains are exactly the right length, even if your floor isn't level; help you choose a print or pattern that works best for the size of your curtains and your space; and leave you with a polished finished product that's worth the extra cost. "I recommend always working with a designer to make sure the scale and pattern works with the scale of the curtain and everything else you have going on in the room," says Curtis. "Window treatments can be a tremendous investment for your home, and not something you want to make a mistake on."
How long are curtains?
You can find curtains in a few standard lengths: 63 inches. 84 inches. 94 inches. 108 inches. 120 inches. This doesn’t mean these are the only curtain lengths, it’s just what you’re likely to find online and in-stores ready-made.
How to measure for curtain length?
How to Measure for the Correct Curtain Length. Grab your trusty measuring tape and take your measurements from the floor to where the rod will be placed. Pro tip: To make your windows appear wider and higher (as you should) add a few inches to your measurements. You can go as high as a few inches to the ceiling for maximum height and drama.
What is the difference between grommet style and rod pocket curtains?
This will also make a difference in how the curtains feel in the room. Grommet style curtains have rings in the curtains that are inserted through the rod. Rod pocket curtains, which are a bit more traditional, slip through the rod without any rings or clips.
Where do window sill curtains end?
Window Sill Curtains: These curtains end right at the window sill . This is appropriate in places like a kitchen where the window is elevated. Apron Curtains: Apron curtains come down about 4” from the window sill. They’re also best in casual places like a breakfast nook or if you have a radiator under the window.
How far do curtains puddle?
Curtains that Puddle: Window treatments that “puddle” at the ground usually extend about 1-3 inches onto the floor.
What happens if your curtain rod is too low?
If your curtain rod is too low, it’ll shrink your window size and this is definitely something you do not want.
Do curtains make an impact?
Curtains that aren’t wide enough won’t make an impact. In general, fuller curtains equals a more dramatic look. Nobody wants wimpy curtains, right?
How wide are curtains?
Standard Curtain Width. As a near-universal convention, most standard curtain panels are 48 inches wide, so sizes vary mostly in length. The idea is that if you have very wide windows, you should be able to line several curtains together – so the big challenge is to look for the right length.
How to determine curtain size?
The actual curtain size that you’ll need will be determined by the height of your ceiling and the desired effect. There is a lot of room to play around with here, and there is only one rule of thumb: do not, ever, buy curtains that are just the same length as the window. They simply won’t provide enough coverage.
How far down do curtains leave?
Puddling length curtains usually leave up to two or three inches below the floor. The idea here is to get the curtains to puddle on the floor. This style is usually showcased in very formal rooms, such as old-style dining rooms. The “puddles” tend to look better with heavier winter fabrics, and velvety finishes will add to their dramatic appeal.
How far above the window should a curtain rod be?
Before deciding on a certain size, make sure to locate the exact points where the rods will be installed and supported. Try to make sure the rod is at least 4 inches above the top edge of the window. This will ensure complete coverage and will prevent the rod from being visible through the window – unless you are dealing with tier curtains, a visible rod is a huge no-no!
How far should a floating curtain be from the floor?
Usually, floating curtains should hang either 4 inches under the edge of the window or just two inches away from the floor.
What do curtains do to a room?
Neat, well-lined, and carefully placed curtains will make a room look bigger and fresher. They can add to the symmetry of the room or help you hide an awkwardly-placed window. On the other hand, the effect of using the wrong curtain size is harder to define.
What is floating curtain?
The idea behind floating curtains is to leave some room between the edge of the curtain and the floor. This style is great for scenic rooms with very wide or panoramic views: if matched with sheer or light curtains or with an additional layer of cascading or tied draperies, floating curtains create a very exotic visual effect.

An Overview of Curtain Sizes
- Ever bought a window or door-sized curtain only to come home and learn that it’s just toomany inches shorter or longer than you need? Nope, you don’t want thatlook! Curtain panels, in general, are 48-inches wide and come in four lengths—63-inches, 84-inches, 96-inches, and 108-inches. You may also find 120-inch curtains, but these are fairly uncommon.
Choosing The Right Curtain For Your Room
- Curtains aren’t a one-size-fits-all affair; they require proper planning before you make a purchase. Some of the various kinds of curtains available in the market can be defined by their length and how they fall onto the ground, although this isn’t always the case. Knowing the different kinds of curtains according to their lengths makes it easier to decide which one is suited to your needs. …
Curtain Size Chart
- When reading the curtain size chart, ensure you have your window or door (length and width) measurements ready.
FAQs
- How Long Should Curtains Be?
The standard four lengths in which curtains are usually available are 63-inches, 84-inches, 96-inches, and 108-inches. The safest option is to go for a curtain length that slightly grazes the floor. However, different styles come with different curtain lengths, so it’s all about your persona… - What Are the Standard Shower Curtain Sizes?
Shower curtains come in three standard sizes. These are 70 by 70 inches, 70 by 72 inches, and 72 by 72 inches. Measure the area around your shower to determine which size suits best for the shower at your home. While these standard sizes will work for an average house, you will requir…
Summary
- As mentioned earlier, curtains are one of the most important aspects of home decor because they can make or break the look of a room. And the length of a curtain plays a major role. A well-made and proper length curtain can be the difference between a vibrant and fresh-looking room and one that looks awkward and haphazard. They can also help your room look bigger than it actually is. …