Table of Contents
Measure the width of the rod from left to right. 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 do I know what size curtains to buy?
Measure the width of your window. Add 12 inches to each side, 24 inches total. Take the total number (width plus the number you added to each side) and divide that number by how many drapery panels you want in the window.
Should my curtains 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 wide should curtains be for 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).
How much wider should curtains be than the window?
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.
Should you hang curtains above window?
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 wide should curtain panels be?
How Wide Should Curtains Be? To ensure that panels look ample and drapey when closed, they should have a combined width that is 2 to 2½ times the width of the window. Exceptions: If you’re hanging curtains just to frame a window and don’t intend to shut them, you can round down to 1½ times the width.
Should curtains touch the floor or puddle?
In formal or dressy rooms, curtains should just touch the floor. A romantic room deserves elegant, extra-long curtains that pool or puddle on the floor. Curtains to the sill, or to the bottom of the window trim (called the apron), look great and are practical in a kitchen.
Should curtains go to 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.
Which side of curtains should be inside on door?
But the fabric side (also described as the woven or rough side) is made to face the window because of the durability. Face the fabric side out to avoid yellowing or sun damage, which will preserve the lifespan of your curtains.
How long should curtains hang below window sill?
Just over sill length Take the hem of the curtain to just above the radiator, or up to about a maximum of 4 inches (10cms) below the sill.
What are standard curtain drops?
Most curtain designs come in standard drop sizes of 54”, 72”, 90” and 108” so you may have to round up to the nearest size. For example, if you measure your drop and it is 147cm (58”) in length and you wanted your curtains to sit off the floor you would round this up to the 72” drop curtains.
How wide should curtains be for 36 inch window?
Example: If your window measures 36″ wide (window width x 2 = 72″), you need curtains that will give a minimum width of 72″ or 2 panels for that window. In this case 2 panels will give about 100″ to 120″ of width which will look nice and full. Always round up to the next full number.
How do I measure curtain width?
For the width, take your steel tape measure and take the full length measurement of your pole or track. For pencil pleats on a track, measure the drop by starting from the top of the track, and for pencil pleats on a curtain pole, measure from the eye of the curtain rings (where you’ll be hooking your curtains into).
When buying curtains is the width per curtain?
The width measurement actually refers to the width of each curtain in the pair, as you need double the width of your track or pole in curtaining for the gathered effect.
How far should curtain rod be from side of window?
The standard distance from the window casing to the end of the curtain rod (excluding finials) on each side of the window should be four to 10 inches. As a general rule, drapes will be open during the day, so make sure the curtain rod extends at least four inches on each side of the window’s inside frame.
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.
Should I use one or two curtain panels?
If you have larger windows, you may want to consider two curtain panels. They do fit better in the window, requiring a little less material than a single panel. It can sometimes be cheaper buying two smaller panels than one larger one. The double panels can also look better for larger windows.
How many inches should curtains be off the floor?
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 my curtains be short?
Curtains that are too short make the room look short, stubby and awkward. The cut the length of the wall, making both the window and the room look smaller. An example of curtains that are way too short! Curtains that are the right length cause the room to feel spacious and intentional, and make the windows look bigger.
Should curtains cover radiator?
The main mistake that people make is to fit heavy floor-length curtains over both the window and the radiator below. This traps the heat in the window space and does not let it into the room. Correctly fitted curtains should not cover the top of the radiator, but should stop just below the window ledge.
