Extend the rod at least 6-10″ on either side of the window frame (if you have the space) so that when the curtains are pushed totally open you can see almost all of the window.
The rod itself should be 8 to 12 inches longer than the window's width, which allows for 4 to 6 inches on either side.
For a typical window without architraves, we recommend poles/tracks overhang the width of the window by not less than 15cm (6") each side (excluding finials). Mark the pole/track and check your measurements again.
Each bracket should be placed at the height you previously determined and about four to six inches from the side of the window frame. (This will allow you to open the curtains completely.)
When it comes to how high to hang your curtain rod, a good rule of thumb is 2/3 of the distance between the top of the window and the ceiling.
For standard 8 ft ceilings, position the rod approx 1-3 inches below the ceiling or crown moulding. If you have taller ceilings (9-10ft) with windows that are significantly lower than the ceiling, position your rod approx 8-12 inches above the window trim.
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.
The drapery also needs to be associated with the window itself, however, so have a distance of 4 to 6 inches above the window frame in mind for hanging the rod, or halfway between the ceiling and the window trim where the distance between the ceiling and it is 6 to 12 inches.
The track or pole should be hung about 15cm or 6 inches above the window, and be 15-20 cm / 6-8 inches wider on each side. If you want to create a sense of height in the room, hang the track or pole a few inches higher than this. Most ready-made curtains come in these widths: 117cm (46”), 168cm (66”) or 228cm (90”).
All you really need to do is decide where to position the hook that sits at the back of the pleat. If you have a pole then move the hook to the top of the heading, this will make sure your curtain hangs below the pole. For curtain tracks position the hook towards the middle so that the heading will cover the track.
Puddle your curtains for a classic look
Emma Clarke, director at Warner House says, 'at Warner House, “more is more” and in almost every instance we would advise curtains should be full length: puddled for a traditional feel, or flush to the floor for a modern finish.
When it comes to the length of curtains, the modern take is to have your curtains flush with the floor (rather than pooling). curtains should always be long – they should just touch the floor. Hanging curtains higher than the window will add height to the room.
The easiest way is to hang the curtains, then fold the bottoms under so they just graze the floor. However, you can also measure the length from the top of the curtain rod to the floor, then measure down from the top of the curtains. Just be sure to fold the fabric under, or toward the back of the curtains.
Hang them high—and wide.
Mount your curtain hardware as close to the ceiling as possible for a high-end look.
The precise placement of your rod depends on a few factors (ceiling height, curtain length, trim & molding style, etc) so I can't give you a hard and fast measurement for where your rod should always go… but generally, we like to hang ours about 3-4″ below the ceiling or, if there's crown molding, 3-4″ below the bottom ...
The answer isn't necessarily intuitive, especially since most windows in a home don't extend all the way to the ground, but more often than not, curtains and drapes look best when they reach the floor.
The simple answer is yes, you can use long curtains on short windows. Our goal is always to make our space look larger and our ceilings taller. To do that, you can hang curtain rods high and wide, about a few inches outside the window frame on either side.
While fashion once dictated a “flood level” bottom line for curtains—one that hung just past the window sill, short enough that it would not get wet in a flood—today, style calls for curtains to either hang down to within ½-inch of the floor or even puddle slightly.
If the area where you're planning to drill your bracket doesn't have a wall stud, you'll need to use a drywall anchor and a regular screw. Otherwise, the screw alone won't be able to hold your rod and curtain. If your space does have a wall stud, you use a regular screw.
You can mount the rod or pole just above the frame, but for a more dramatic look and to make the room appear larger, place the rod about four to six inches above the window. Be sure the brackets for mounting the rod are also deep enough so they clear the window frame and allow your drapes to hang properly.
As a general rule of thumb, curtain width should be two to two-and-a-half times the width of the window.
The most classic and common of all methods of hanging drapery, a rod pocket is a sewn-in pocket, or casing, at the top of a drapery panel that easily slips over a rod and conceals it. Drapery panels hung this way bunch nicely and have a simple, casual look.
The simple fact is closing your curtains at dusk helps stop cold draughts from penetrating. And it helps keep the heat in your home. Even if you have double or triple glazing in your home and they are draught-proofed you can still lose heat through your windows. Therefore it's a good habit to fall into doing.