Curtain rods should extend 6 to 12 inches past the window frame on each side. This allows the curtains to gather completely off the glass when open, making the window look larger and letting in maximum natural light.
Common mistakes when hanging curtains
Fit the pole 10–15 cm above the frame to create a taller look. Using a pole that's too short: Make sure the curtain pole extends at least 15–20cm past each side of the window. If not, your curtains will block natural light when open.
Hang Your Curtains High and Wide
For width, a good practice is to extend the curtain rod about 12 inches beyond your window frame on both sides.
Curtain trends in 2026 are shifting from purely functional covers to architectural statement pieces. The top looks emphasize rich, natural textures, layered depth, warm neutral and earth-toned palettes, and smart home integration to bring quiet luxury and character to interior spaces.
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.
Layered Curtains
While heavy curtains are the answer to a room in need of some privacy, they can feel a little stuffy, often preventing light from gently filtering through during the daytime. This is where the ever-popular window treatment trend comes into play: the layered curtain.
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Some of Stewart's homes utilize interior blinds for light regulation and privacy. Others feature windows framed by exterior shutters, operable versions of which can also be used for light control, ventilation and privacy.
LUCKY COLOR OF THE YEAR 2026 TRANSFORMATIVE TEAL.
Curtains do not have to stop at the window sill. While stopping just above the sill is a practical, tailored choice for kitchens or bathrooms, most interior designers recommend hanging curtains to the floor or extending them 2 to 4 inches below the sill for a more polished look.
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Hang the curtains 4-6 inches above the window trim or if your ceilings are not tall, you can hang them in the middle of the window trim and the ceiling.
Curtains should typically be 444 to 666 inches longer than the window frame itself if you are mounting them just above the trim. However, for a high-end designer look, hang your rod closer to the ceiling. In this case, measure from the rod to the floor.
Thankfully, Stewart was quick to ease our curtain concerns. She says, “They're beautiful, I don't have anything against them, I just don't live with them… I like to look outside. Every window [in my home] looks out to something nice, and it's just all open to the view.”
Yes, hanging your curtains higher is one of the easiest design tricks to make a room feel taller and more expansive. By placing the rod near the ceiling, you draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of floor-to-ceiling windows and grander wall space.
In feng shui, bedrooms are sacred yin spaces meant for rest, healing, and intimacy. You should avoid highly stimulating or overly cooling colors as primary wall paints, as they disrupt sleep or deplete your energy.
In 2026, the year of the Fire Horse, the ultimate lucky money colors are Gold (or Golden Yellow) and Brown. These earth tones bring stability, anchor the volatile Fire energy, and prevent your wealth from burning away.
Curtain styles in 2026 focus on organic textures, architectural details, and luxurious layering to create cozy yet elevated spaces.
Even though ornate valances were once a staple in traditional-style homes, they are now considered outdated. "Avoid overly ornate valances, which can feel dated and heavy," says interior designer Danielle Chiprut. "They can feel at odds with today's preference for light, airy interiors."
Curtains usually look cheap because of flimsy, unlined fabrics, insufficient width (looking like a "flat sheet" when closed), or a length that stops too short above the floor. Additionally, plastic hardware and visible metal grommets often detract from an elevated design, making budget curtains stand out negatively.
Martha Stewart, 83, has nothing to hide. She's always been unabashedly candid about her life and career, including her divorce and her 2005 stint in prison for insider trading. And now, the lifestyle guru is opening up about being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease vitiligo for the very first time.
Do Scandinavian Homes Have Curtains? True homes in Scandinavian countries typically don't have curtains. This is for a couple functional reasons. First, having no curtains allows maximum sunlight to enter the room, and when you're as far north as Scandinavian countries, sunlight is at a premium.
Pinch pleat curtains are perfect for elegant, traditional spaces like formal dining rooms, living rooms, or master bedrooms. Their tailored, evenly spaced pleats create a polished, timeless look.
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.