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.
As a minimum, curtains should be at least 2 inches taller than the window, in other words, there should be a gap of 2 inches between the window trim and the curtain rod. However, it's preferable that curtains are between 4 and 6 inches taller than the window.
Leave approximately 4 to 6 inches above the window trim for cathedral ceilings as a guideline. No matter the ceiling height, the minimum distance from the top of the window casing to the curtain rod is 2 inches. Mount the drapery rods close to the ceiling to create the illusion of height.
Whilst floor-length curtains are usually the most popular option, your chosen curtain length really depends on the overall look and feel you want in a space, as well as where they are being hung in the home. Designers tend to agree that curtains that don't touch the floor are less common in contemporary homes.
Just hitting the floor or sill
This look is classic and tailored; it makes sense if you'll be opening and closing the curtains a lot (they'll easily fall back into place every time you move them). The fabric should just touch the floor or hover 1/2 inch above.
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.
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.
HOW LONG SHOULD CURTAINS BE? The most common preference is to have the bottom of your curtain just barely touching the floor, or hovering just slightly above. For a more dramatic look, you can also have the curtains a few inches longer so they puddle on the floor.
As for a general rule, floor length or just a little above it is the preferred look. Maggie Griffin, founder and principal designer of Maggie Griffin Design, recommends, 'The drapery panels should skim the floor. '
So, are there any set rules on whether your curtains should be lighter or darker than the walls? Ultimately, experts agree that your curtains can be whatever color you want them to be, it completely depends on the style, mood and function of the room you're decorating.
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 higher you hang your curtains, the more significant impact it'll have on your space. Install your curtain rod as high as possible, and you'll be surprised how much larger your room looks.
Hang them high—and wide.
Mount your curtain hardware as close to the ceiling as possible for a high-end look.
When we list or write curtain measurements, the width always comes before the drop. Ready-made curtains are available in three standard widths: 112 cm (44 inches), 167 cm (66 inches) or 228 cm (90 inches). You should choose the width that most closely matches the size of your track or pole.
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.
Can I use long curtains on short windows? Yes. Using curtains that are longer than your windows will help your short window appear larger. The length of your curtain is dependent on the ratio of width to height.
This creates the illusion of height. In rooms with standard 8′ ceilings, that can mean mounting the rod at the ceiling, which is perfectly fine! For the width, 8-12″ beyond the window casing on either side helps to create the illusion of a larger window.
For curtains below the the sill measure 4″ to 8″ (10cm to 20cm) below the sill. However if you are choosing this length to avoid a radiator please adjust this measurement to allow the curtains to stop a couple of centimetres above the radiator. For curtains to the floor, measure to 1cm above the floor.
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.
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.
Floor-length drapes should fall even with the floor. They are perfect for tall windows and accentuate the ceiling height. Floor-length curtains are best when installed a 1/2-inch off the floor for easy cleaning and maintaining the flooring in that space.
By hanging curtains from the highest point of the wall that fall all the way down to the floor, you create a soft and subtle guide for the eye to follow, encouraging you to take in all of the space you have therefore giving the illusion of a larger room.
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.