Curtain rods should extend at least 3 to 6 inches past the window frame. Just as hanging curtains above the window frame makes the window appear taller, Bob Vila writes that extending the curtain rod past the window frame makes the window appear wider.
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.
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.
While you're at it, mount curtain rods to extend 3 to 6 inches, or more, past either side of the window frame. Height isn't the only number that affects the impact curtains have on a room.
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.
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.
Yes, They should! The length of the curtain determines the height of the curtain rod. Therefore, even if you buy curtains that are 84 inches long, if the curtains hang from the rod without rings, the rod must be approximately 84 inches from the floor to enable the curtain to touch the floor and avoid the awkward look.
If you have the space between the top of your window frame and the ceiling or crown molding, though, you should hang the rod over the window. I like to go 3 to 5 inches down from the ceiling. Doing this visually extends the length of your wall, making your ceiling look higher.
In this case if you hang a curtain too high it could look a little off, especially if there is a lot of bright light coming through showing where the actual window is. In that case you should hang them about 8 inches or less above the window frame.
When you buy them in stores or online, there are two standard lengths: 84 inches and 95 or 96 inches. The length of the curtain dictates the height of the rod. If you buy 84-inch-long curtains, the rod must be mounted roughly 84 inches from the floor if the curtains hang from the rod without rings.
For a 9 foot ceiling, pick 96-inch curtains. Typically, your curtain rod is hung about a foot from the ceiling. 96 inches covers the distance between the floor up to one foot from the ceiling.
All you need to do is hang a hook on either side of the window and pop a rod it, and you're done! If you want to open and clothes the curtains frequently, you will probably want to secure the rod to the hooks somehow (even some string could work) so that it doesn't slip around.
Center Support Brackets
If your curtains cover a lengthy window span, you'll need a functional support bracket in the center to prevent the rod from bowing. Most rods require support brackets every 30 to 36 inches. So if your window is longer than 60 inches across, you'll need two center support brackets.
Usually no need for battens if you have a skilled curtain fitter using the correct fittings and a quality pole, even with heavy weight fabric and interlining. 12ft drop double width with blackout lining in a traditional house is not a problem.
No More Nails is not bad but there is no glue in the world that will stick up curtain poles because the substrate will give even if the glue doesn't.
Use a measuring tape to find the center of the rod if you need a third bracket to prevent sagging. Hook the third bracket on the rod, place it against the wall and mark the screw holes. Install anchors, then screw the bracket to the wall.
The Command hook is perfect for hanging heavier items on your curtain rod. The adhesive is incredibly strong and can hold up to 5 pounds, making it perfect for heavier drapes or curtains. The hooks are also simple to install just peel and stick!
"Extending your draperies from floor to ceiling and from wall to wall surrounding your window makes them appear bigger," explains Francesco Bilotto.
Do use curtains that reach the floor. Your curtains should either be 1/2” above the floor, kiss the floor, or puddle on the floor. For 8' ceilings, I recommend standard 96” curtains which you can then adjust up and down or hem up the bottom if needed.
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.
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.
The top of most of our windows are 8ft, and we used 108″ panels almost everywhere. So we hung our curtain rod about 13 inches above the windows. The higher the curtain rod, the taller your window will appear. I recommend to always install a rod closer to the ceiling than the top of the window.
Measure the recess width of the window and then add at least another 15cm for each side. The suggested pole length is the recess width plus 30cm.
Start from the inner edge of the frame on one side and measure across to the inner edge of the frame on the other. Complete this measurement three times as explained above. Use the smallest measurement as your window's width. This will also serve as the width of your curtain rod.