Can short curtains look nice?

Author: Jeff White  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 24, 2022

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.

Do curtains look better short or long?

Short curtains are typically only used when long curtains are unrealistic (such as when a radiator, the bed headboard, or some other object would interfere with the curtains). In addition, long curtains provide a better aesthetic and can make the room appear bigger, especially when hung higher than the window frame.

What to do if the curtain is short?

3 Ways to Make Sure you get a Perfect Hang-Length
  1. 1) Get the 96″ length curtains and re-hang your rod higher on your wall, if you have the room. (Zero cost) ...
  2. 2) Buy the 96″ length curtains and trim/hem them to the right length. (Medium cost) ...
  3. 3) Sew on a border to the bottom of your 84″ curtains.

Which curtain length looks best?

If you are interested in stationary panels, you will want your curtains to be long enough to lightly brush the floor, but not so long that they bunch up in a pile. A good rule of thumb is for your curtains to break anywhere from a ¼” to ½” from the floor, similar to a break in pant legs on your shoe.

Can curtains be shorter than the window?

If your curtain rod is too low, it'll shrink your window size and this is definitely something you do not want. Still unsure? A standard rule of thumb is about 4” up from the top of the window but you can definitely go up from there.

How to Make Short Curtains Look Cool

Is it OK if curtains don't touch the floor?

The answer to this question is important because it can affect the way we do our decorations. 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.

Are sill length curtains OK?

Sill Length

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.

Do long curtains make a room look bigger?

Making Your Room Look Larger or Smaller with Curtains

High-hanging curtains with long vertical stripes create the illusion of height, which is excellent for low ceilings. However, short curtains and horizontal stripes shorten your wall height and make the room appear smaller.

How much longer should curtains be than 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.

Does it matter if curtains are too short?

When hanging curtains, it is important that the curtains are the right length. 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.

What are short curtains called?

Valance. A valance is a short curtain and comes in many many shapes and styles. Valances can be used on their own to cover the tops of windows, doors or along with sheers and drapes.

How low 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.

Should curtains go to the ceiling?

Your best move is to hang curtains within 8 inches of the top of the window frame. For very tall windows, which are popular in many modern homes, that means placing the rod as close to the ceiling as possible—in fact, you might want to install rods designed to actually hang from the ceiling.

Does GREY make a room look bigger?

If you want to make your living room look bigger, stick to lighter colors that reflect more light and make the space feel more open. Neutrals, like off-white, beige, or light grays, are a great way to add a level of sophistication and calm.

Do curtains make a room feel smaller?

Curtains absolutely can make a room look smaller or larger, depending on their design. Thick curtains and dark curtains are known for making a regular room look slightly smaller, while sheer curtains made of lightly-colored fabrics are ideal for helping to visually expand a room's size.

How can I make my short windows look taller?

9 Tips on How to Make a Small Window Look Bigger
  1. Ditch the Dark Curtains and Shades.
  2. Manipulate Height and Width.
  3. Add Embellishments to Moldings and Trim.
  4. Install Plantation Shutters Over the Window.
  5. Play With Patterns.
  6. Harness the Power of Mirrors.
  7. Place Furniture Wisely.
  8. Paint Trim the Same Color as the Walls.

Should curtains touch the floor or window sill?

The material should barely touch the floor or hover half an inch above. Use this approach for café curtains, too, short panels covering only the lower portion of a window, hitting the sill, which works well in kitchens and bathrooms, where long drapes or curtains aren't practical.

Why should curtains touch the floor?

Hovering an inch or less above the floor

This option is also more forgiving than those that precisely hit the floor, which means your measuring and hemming won't be derailed if it's a few millimeters off. It also means you don't have to worry if you have slightly uneven floors.

Are curtains in style?

Modern types of window treatments have become more and more popular over the year. But, even though curtains are from the past, they will never go out of style. They are classic window coverings that can adapt to modern design and style.

Do curtains drop after hanging?

Do curtains typically drop after hanging? We've researched this to get the answer for you. Your curtains may drop right out of the box, but more than likely, they will flare at the bottom. You need to train the curtains for three days to two weeks after unboxing them, so they take on a more appealing shape.

How can I make my curtains look more expensive?

How to Make Your Curtains Look More Expensive
  1. Hang them high—and wide. Mount your curtain hardware as close to the ceiling as possible for a high-end look. ...
  2. Use statement hardware. Upgrade basic panels by adding thicker, more substantial hardware to your window treatments. ...
  3. Weigh them down. ...
  4. Train them.

How do you make short curtains look longer?

How to Make Curtains Longer
  1. Purchase Curtain Rings. Curtain rings can help to add several inches to your curtains. ...
  2. Redo the Bottom Seam. The bottom seam of any curtain is usually a large edge of fabric that is folded over and then a smaller amount of material folded and sewn. ...
  3. Sew On Some Additional Fabric.

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 go past the window sill?

Sill-length curtains stop at the bottom of your window, or a few centimetres further down. They can be the best style for window seats and large window sills, or for rooms where the radiator is situated directly underneath the window. They are best suited to informal, country-style homes and children's bedrooms.

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