It depends on factors such as window length, but more often than not, curtains look best when touching the floor. However, how low you want your curtains to hang will determine what you want to achieve. In reality, different decorating styles employ varying curtain lengths.
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.
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.
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. A popular hem finish for silk or lined curtains is called a trouser kick.
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.
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. An example of curtains that are way too short!
Interior designers note the bottom of your curtains should fall to the floor, and you can even let them “puddle” a bit. However, if you don't want your curtains to drag on the floor when you open and close them, let them stop about an inch from the floor, but no more.
Assuming you're outfitting a living room or bedroom with average ceiling height (8 feet high), an interior designer's rule of thumb would be to mount the curtain rod about a half-foot above the top of the window frame—even higher if the total space between the top of the window and the ceiling line is less than 12 ...
DO Hang High
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.
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.
With a few exceptions, your curtains should touch the floor. Although your final choice definitely depends on the particular style you'd like to achieve, floor-length curtains provide the most classy, modern look.
Above the sill
As the sill is always visible, it's important that the gap between the curtain and the sill remains uniform at every point, so if you've an older property with an uneven window sill, this curtain drop would not be suitable.
Take the measurement from the bottom of the drapery rings to the floor and add 1-3″ to create this look. Moderate Puddle – Drapes with a more substantial amount of fabric gathered on the floor: Take the measurement from the bottom of the drapery rings to the floor and add 3-6″ for a moderate puddle.
Tip: Traditionally, you'd mount your curtain rods one to three inches above the top of your window frame. But my favorite trick is to hang your curtain rod higher (a couple inches below the ceiling). It'll instantly make the room feel taller and grander.
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. To create the illusion of a wider window, extend the rod up to 10 inches beyond the window's frame.
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.
"Extending your draperies from floor to ceiling and from wall to wall surrounding your window makes them appear bigger," explains Francesco Bilotto.
Tiebacks slightly shorten curtains. This is why they don't work well with short bedroom curtains. Since shorter curtains form a small bundle when compacted, they look less appealing with the use of tiebacks. So, if you want to pull off short bedroom curtains, push them to the side instead of tying them.
Hanging long drapes on a short window is one of the easiest ways to increase the importance of the window and bring it into proportion to the room. Short drapes on a short window call attention to the size of the window and reduce the significance of the room, window and drapery style.
As you're ordering curtain panels, measure your window. You typically want curtains that are pleated down from fabric that is 2 1/2 times the width of your window.
New curtains can be stiff and may have a strong starch smell. Washing new curtains before hanging can help them hang better, can get rid of odor, and can help your new curtains look more vibrant. Washing them before hanging is an excellent idea.
If you purchase curtains that are washable it is very important to wash them prior to hanging. They normally shrink the most the first time they are washed. I washed mine in hot before hanging them the first time to get all of the shrinking behind me.
Getting Started: Iron or Steam to Remove Creases
If in doubt, lay a clean towel over your drapery fabric and iron over the towel on low. However, just ironing your curtains will cause your drapes to spread out at the bottom rather than hanging uniformly along with the built-in pleats.
Even if your window coverings are made of a washable fabric, the linings and seams could shrink in the wash.