How much bigger should curtains be?

Author: Geraldine Hahn  |  Last update: Friday, May 27, 2022

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.

How much extra do you allow for curtains?

Fabric calculations – Most curtains will require somewhere between 1 ½ and 2 ½ times fullness, depending on the heading and look you want to achieve. I always prefer to be generous and use 2 ½ times the width, skimpy curtains don't look good and you can always use any extra fabric for cushions or tie backs.

How do you figure out what size curtains you need?

If you want your curtains to close and cover the entire window:
  1. Measure the width of your window.
  2. Add 12 inches to each side, 24 inches total.
  3. Take the total number (width plus the number you added to each side) and divide that number by how many drapery panels you want in the window.

How much wider should curtains be than Rod?

Standard Calculations. The standard recommendation for curtain width is to purchase or make curtains that are about 1 1/2 times larger than your curtain rod. Measure from one bracket of your curtain rod to the other to determine the right width.

What size curtains do I need for a 72 inch window?

To get the measurements, measure the width of the rod from left to right. For instance, if your window measures 72” wide, you will need curtains that will give a maximum width of 144” (window width x 2 = 144”.)

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How much longer should curtains be than window?

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.

How far should curtain rod extend past window?

As a general rule, drapes will be open during the day, so make sure the curtain rod extends at least four inches on each side of the window's inside frame. To create the illusion of a wider window, extend the rod up to 10 inches beyond the window's frame.

How wide should curtains be for a 120 inch window?

For a 120-inch window, how wide should curtains be? Depending on the weight of the fabric and how much you want the curtains to be. At least a width and a half is what I would recommend. 180 inches is the width of each curtain.

How wide should curtains be for 36 inch window?

Example: If your window measures 36″ wide (window width x 2 = 72″), you need curtains that will give a minimum width of 72″ or 2 panels for that window. In this case 2 panels will give about 100″ to 120″ of width which will look nice and full.

Should curtains be wider than window?

How Wide Should Curtains Be? 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.

What size curtains should I get for 9 ft ceilings?

In Closing. For a 9-foot ceiling, 96-inch curtain panels are typically a good fit. This allows you to hang curtains that reach the floor, with the rod placed one foot from the ceiling. If you prefer curtains that pool on the floor or curtains that hang higher, just pick the next size up.

What size curtains do I need for a 60 inch window?

For a 60 inch (152.4cm) window, you need curtains with a finished width at least 1.5 times that, but better are those with twice that width and even three times the width for sheers. Therefore, for a 60 inch window, you need two panels of 60 inches each for twice the width and a luxurious gather.

What does 84 panel mean for curtains?

The sizes are listed width by width. The curtain panel is 54 inches wide by 84 inches long. Before choosing curtains, it is advisable to install a curtain rod.

How do you measure curtain width?

The standard curtain width is always 2, 2.5, or 3 times the width of the window. So the formulas used to calculate the width of your curtain is: Standard curtain width = width of window × 2. Deluxe curtain width = width of window × 2.5.

How long should the curtains be?

If you are interested in stationary panels, you will want your curtains to be long enough to lightly brush the floor, but not so long that they bunch up in a pile. A good rule of thumb is for your curtains to break anywhere from a ¼” to ½” from the floor, similar to a break in pant legs on your shoe.

How do I calculate how much fabric I need?

Figure out how much fabric you need with this formula:
  1. Width of fabric divided by width of one piece equals the number of pieces that fit into width (rounded down to the whole number).
  2. Total number of pieces divided by number of pieces that fit into width equals number of rows you need.

How wide should curtains be for a 48 inch window?

Keep in mind that the width measurement is flat. If you hang a 48-inch panel on a 48-inch window, there will be no fullness or draping. According to Curtainshop.com, finished curtains should be twice the width of the window, so if your window is 36 inches wide, you need panels that are at least 72 inches across.

Do curtains have to touch the floor?

It depends on factors such as window length, but more often than not, curtains look best when touching the floor. However, how low you want your curtains to hang will determine what you want to achieve. In reality, different decorating styles employ varying curtain lengths.

Do I need one or two curtain panels?

If you have larger windows, you may want to consider two curtain panels. They do fit better in the window, requiring a little less material than a single panel. It can sometimes be cheaper buying two smaller panels than one larger one. The double panels can also look better for larger windows.

What size curtains do I need for a 100 inch window?

How Wide Should Curtains Be For A 100-Inch Window? The average curtain bought to hang on a 100-inch window should measure between 200 and 250 inches wide. To achieve appropriate fullness with thinner material, get curtains upward of 300 inches wide. For decorative purposes, you can go 150 inches in width.

How wide should curtains be for 100 inch window?

For example, if the window is 100 inches wide, the curtains should be made to 125 inches wide in order for them to hang off the window when in the open position. For an inside-mount curtain, measure from one edge inside the frame to the inside edge on the opposite side.

How high do you hang 84 inch curtains with grommets?

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.

How far should curtains hang below the window sill?

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.

How long should curtains be below window sill?

Sill Length

1/2" above the window sill. Casual and charming. These are the shortest of the standard curtain lengths, which makes them a good opportunity to have some fun with pattern or color. Since they take up less visual space, you won't get tired of a bold choice.

Should all curtains be the same length?

As a general rule of thumb, curtain width should be two to two-and-a-half times the width of the window. Curtains are typically sold as pairs, but you may need to double up depending on the size of your window.

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