How high should curtains be hung
Ava Robinson
Updated on April 22, 2026
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 ceiling 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.
Should curtains touch the ceiling?
Ceiling height plays a major role in how high you should hang your curtains. … It is often best to use the 4 to 6 inches above the window trim rule here unless the windows stretch close to the high ceilings. If there is little space between the trim and the ceiling, then hang the curtains from the ceiling.
How low 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.Should curtains be above 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 wider than window should curtain 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.
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.
Should curtains be above or below window sill?
Below the sill Typically the most popular choice for short curtains, this drop overlaps the sill to help block out external light and draughts and even has the opportunity to go wider than the window to ensure maximum light when the curtains are open without looking unbalanced.How far 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.
Are sill length curtains OK?Sill: 1/2″ above the window sill. These are the shortest of the standard curtain lengths, which makes them a good opportunity to have some fun with pattern or color. Since they take up less visual space, you won’t get tired of a bold choice. … I especially like sill curtain lengths for kitchen and bathroom windows.
Article first time published onDo bedroom curtains have to touch the floor?
Like most other rooms, curtains should extend to the floor (give or take an inch). In the bedroom, curtains should only be short when something would interfere with their ability to reach the floor. For example, the headboard of a bed or a radiator placed under the window.
How high do you hang 84 inch curtains with grommets?
If you are interested in a curtain with grommet tops, there will usually be an inch and half of fabric above the top of the grommet. Therefore, an 84 inch length curtain with grommet tops will have an actual hanging height of around 82.5 inches.
Can short curtains ever look good?
Short curtains look great when they are almost touching the window sill or extending right beneath the apron. … So, your curtains may end up looking like they were meant to be longer or shorter, which is one of the biggest curtain design mistakes you can make.
Should curtains touch the floor 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.
How many inches should curtain rod be outside window?
General Installation Recommendations 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.
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.
Should curtains touch the window sill?
In formal or dressy rooms, curtains should just touch 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. Never hang curtains of any length near a stove.
When measuring for curtains What do you measure?
Simply measure from the top of the pole to where you want the curtain to finish at the bottom. We will make the curtain with 3cm of fabric above the top underside of the eyelet where it sits on the pole. We add this automatically so simply measure from the top of your curtain pole.
Is it OK to put curtains over blinds?
We often get asked the question ‘do curtains and blinds work together? ‘ The answer is, for the most part, ‘yes‘ – when paired, the two can bring out a flexible décor and ensure adequate blocking of light and privacy control.
Are short or long curtains better?
Short Curtains Visually speaking, high-water style is not the most appealing way to hang curtains. The shorter length can appear dated. Also, it can cut the visual height of your room in half. From a purely practical standpoint, however, short curtains are sometimes the best option.
Why are grommet curtains so popular?
Grommet drapery panels have been a popular choice for draperies for years because they offer a modern, sleek look. Grommets come in a variety of sizes and colors so they are easily worked into any decor.
What diameter should my curtain rod be?
Choose a curtain rod with a diameter of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm). Thin curtain rods tend to look cheap and can bow under the weight of your drapes if they are heavy. When choosing a curtain rod, look for a rod that is at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick for good aesthetics and curtain support.
What's wrong with short curtains?
The reason that the short curtains here look so bad is because of the fabric color. The cobalt blue is much darker than any other color in the bedroom and you get drawn to it, so it exaggerates the fact that the curtains just stop at the window sill, and they only have a few centimeters to get to the floor.
Can you hang curtains over radiators?
Floor-length curtains work best with radiators under the windows, but closing them means they’ll block the heat generated by the radiator. Generally, pairing up floor-length curtains with other window coverings can do the trick.
What length should your curtains be?
How Long Should Curtains Be? Floor-length is the way to go, unless there’s a radiator or a deep sill in the way. Ready-made panels are available in lengths from 63 to 144 inches. Measure from the floor to where you’ll hang the rod, then round up.