How high should you hang your curtains?
Hi there
It is currently 9pm Saturday night. I just got off the road from a trip to Illinois. I got up at 6 am, zipped over to Champaign (just under a 4 hr. drive) and zipped back home to begin writing this post. Should this have been done already…er heck yeah! But somehow the week just got away from me. Hey don’t judge me. 🙂
I’m helping a friend find furnishings for her new home and I thought I’d take a quick romp up, to take a few measurements and pics of her place. She asked me several questions about window treatments which is what prompted this post.
“How high should curtains be hung”?
I always say as high as you can! Hanging high adds height to a room and beautiful vertical lines.
If space allows, your rod should be placed at least 4-6 inches above the trim of the window. I typically start my measurement from the ceiling and come down 2″ for rod/bracket placement. Always measure the space between the ceiling and the top of the trim to assess how much space you’re working with.
How wide should your curtains be?
Your curtain width depends on how the curtain will function. If it is decorative or simply softening the angles in a room, a single width is adequate. If your curtains will be used for function (privacy), they should be at least two – 2 1/2 times the width of the window for adequate fullness. These types of curtains are usually hung on a traversing rod and are frequently opened and closed.
How long should curtains and draperies be?
There should be a slight break on the floor (at a minimum) the same way a nice pair of men’s slacks have a break (bottom left image). There are some exceptions. Draperies can puddle for a luxe look or sit 1/2″ off the floor for easing traversing. If you have a functioning curtain that is frequently moving, you wouldn’t want the bottoms to touch the floor.
The middle image is not a good look for men’s pants or draperies (far right)
Why would I hang my curtains from the ceiling?
Sometimes you’ll find that there isn’t adequate space to hang the brackets on the wall above the window. In this case, the ceiling becomes a good option. I would also choose this option if you want to avoid screws placed in decorative crown molding.
What type of rod should you use?
Choose rods that harmonize with the look of the room and also help to show off the custom window treatment, after all this is the jewelry portion of the treatment.
Design Tip This Week
Curtains are designed to add privacy, give a room a finished look, and make a beautiful statement. Think about the statement you want your room(s) to make when selecting your fabrics. The photos below are from a recent master bedroom installation. We opted for decorative stationary panels, and hung them high, with a slight break on the floor.
Thanks for stopping by friends. We partner with busy homeowners to create spaces they can be proud of. Contact us to learn more about our products and services. You can email us at rjackson@yourdesignpartner.com, call 513-409-3759 or leave a comment
Inspiring Creativity,
Ricci
Have an amazing week!
Shop Cool Finds
