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.
Using one and a half as many widths of the fabric used in a flat curtain yields a curtain with 50% fullness. Using 1.75 times more fabric yields 75% fullness.
To ensure that panels look ample and drapey when closed, they should have a combined width that is 2 to 2½ times the width of the window. Exceptions: If you're hanging curtains just to frame a window and don't intend to shut them, you can round down to 1½ times the width.
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.
While fashion used to suggest a “flood level” bottom line for curtains—one that hung just beyond the window sill and was short enough not to get wet in a flood event, these days, style dictates that curtains should drop to about 1/2-inch off the floor or even puddle slightly.
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.
All it needs is to let the curtain hem reach about 3/8 to ½ inches above the floor. Besides being easy to measure and design, it is also easiest to vacuum and maintain. If you are looking for curtains that don't require too much maintenance, this can be an excellent option for you.
Drapes may stretch. Fabric is made of threads woven together, and there is no glue holding these threads in place. Knowing how the fabric may react after hanging will help you choose fabrics that should not stretch.
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.
Hang the Curtains as High as Possible
In order to make your window and the whole wall seem higher, put the curtain rod as high above the window as possible. Attaching the rail close to the ceiling tricks the eye into believing the wall is bigger. Thus, it visually expands the whole room.
It is often best to use the 4 to 6 inches above the window trim rule here unless the windows stretch close to the high ceilings. If there is little space between the trim and the ceiling, then hang the curtains from the ceiling.
For example, for a 60-inch window with two curtain panels, add 24 inches to 60 inches (window width) and divide by 2 (number of panels) to get 42 inches. The two panels ordered each need to be at least 42 inches wide.
Drape Measurements
Essentially, you should use twice as much fabric as you'd use if it were a flat curtain. By doubling the width of a flat curtain, you achieve 100% fullness. This means that if you're covering an area of 50 inches, you'll need 100 inches of fabric to get proper fullness.
A general rule of thumb is calculating the curtain width of fabric that you need for the fullness of curtains like this. Using 1 1/2 the amount of fabric width used in a single, flat curtain creates a curtain of 50% fullness. Using 1.75 times more fabric gives 75% fullness.
The actual amount of gather depends on heading styles and personal preference, but as a general rule the width of your curtains should amount to double the width of your track. This is referred to as 'two times gather'.
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.
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.
For curtains that are way too long, you may have a lot of excess fabric left. You can trim this extra material at the end, but if you don't want to cut the curtains, make 2 or 3 folds so the excess material is tucked in neatly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Measure the width of the rod from left to right. 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.