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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 far off the floor should curtains be?
The proper position is ½ inch above the floor for free hanging curtains. This distance allows for mopping and cleaning while creating the illusion that the curtain touches the floor.
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.
Do curtains have to touch the floor?
Yes, curtains should be long enough to touch the floor. With a few exceptions, the longer the curtains are the more stylish and elegant it will look. This is why most standard ready-made curtains are lengthy. But the reality is that various decorating styles use different curtain lengths.
How far past the window should curtains hang?
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 far from the ceiling should you hang curtains?
No matter what the ceiling height, the minimum distance from the top of the window casing to the curtain rod is two inches. To create the illusion of height, mount the drapery rods close to the ceiling. This is particularly important to do if the room has low ceilings. Use these same rules when the windows are arched.
Are 84 inch curtains long enough?
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.
Should curtains be longer than window?
Floor-length curtains will elongate your window and make your room feel taller. The two are related; generally, longer curtains require more fullness to look balanced. For floor curtain lengths, a good rule of thumb is to take the width of your window and double it, or multiply for 1.5 for a more tailored look.
Should curtains touch the floor or puddle?
While fashion used to suggest a “flood level” bottom line for curtains—one that hung just beyond the window sill and was short enough not to get wet in a flood event, these days, style dictates that curtains should drop to about 1/2-inch off the floor or even puddle slightly.
How high should you hang curtains with 9 foot ceilings?
In Closing. For a 9-foot ceiling, 96-inch curtain panels are typically a good fit. This allows you to hang curtains that reach the floor, with the rod placed one foot from the ceiling. If you prefer curtains that pool on the floor or curtains that hang higher, just pick the next size up.
Where should curtains drop to?
The drop of your curtains, also known as the length, is a matter of taste so just consider the following as a guide. Generally people choose one of three options: just above the windowsill (by 1cm), below the sill (by 15cm), or floor length (ending 1cm above the floor).
How far should curtains stick out from wall?
When installing curtain rods, hang the rod so that it extends at least 3 or 4 inches beyond the window on each side. This allows your curtains to overlap both the window and the wall to prevent light from leaking in around the window’s edges.
How wide should curtains be for a 72 inch window?
Let’s say you want standard, thick curtains to cover your 72-inch window. You’ll want to look for curtains that measure between 144 and 180 inches wide. Bear in mind that this is the total width to aim for, not the width for each curtain if you intend to have two (one on either side).
Can you hang curtains too high?
The height you hang our curtains can make or break a space. That being said, even if you want the window to look larger hanging the curtains above 8 inches from the frame can cause the room to look awkward, especially if you have other uncovered windows, or sheer curtains that show where there window really is.
How high should a curtain rod be for 84 inch curtains?
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. This lets the hem of the curtains brush the floor.
What size curtains do I need for a 5ft window?
A common rule for displaying curtains properly says the curtains finished width should be at least 2 times the width of your window (if not more – sheers can be 3 times the window width) to achieve a look of proper fullness.
How wide should my curtains be?
How wide should curtains be? To ensure that curtain panels look ample when closed, they should have a combined width that is 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window/rod. That means if you are ordering Grommet style or Rod-pocket style, the total drapery width should be at least 2 times the window/rod widths.
