We recommend hanging most curtains at least 4-6 inches above the window frame. A general rule is two-thirds of the space above the window. To maximize the illusion of height many companies manufacture special ceiling mount drapery hardware.
Generally, drapes will be open during the day, so ensure the curtain rod extends at least 4 inches on each side of the window's inside frame. Extend the rod up to 10 inches beyond the window's frame to create the illusion of a wider window.
Don't panic if you don't have a pole up either; as general rule of thumb, you need to measure the width of your window and add 20cms (approx. 8 inches) to each side. The width of each curtain panel should be as close as possible to the total width of your pole.
Mark Height and Width of Curtain Brackets
Next, place the curtain brackets about 6 inches from the outside edge of the window frame to allow plenty of natural light. Make another mark. Attach your brackets to wall studs, if possible, which can be located with a stud finder or by tapping the wall.
A good rule of thumb for a quick measurement is to place curtain tracks or rods about 10 inches (250mm) above the window. Paired with the right curtain sets, this easily helps make them more elegant. Positioning your curtains too close to the edge of your windows will give them a very squished and poorly designed look.
We often get asked how much extra overhang each side of the window should my curtain rods and curtain tracks extend? We usually recommend for most situations that you add ten percent to each side of the window opening ( 20 per cent in total) for allowing the curtains to draw back each side of the window.
First, measure the width of the window or bank of windows from the outside of the trim pieces. Write down the width measurement. Next, plan for the curtain rod to extend past the window frame by 8 to 10 inches on each side.
Next, use a pencil to mark the drill holes for your curtain rod brackets. Each bracket should be placed at the height you previously determined and about four to six inches from the side of the window frame.
Set the height of your holdback or tieback.
Hang each tieback hook a third of the way up from the bottom of the curtain. Buffer three inches from the edge of the 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) to achieve a look of proper fullness. Example: If your window measures 36" wide (window width x 2 = 72"), you need curtains that will give a minimum width of 72".
1. Measure the width of the window using a metal measuring tape. 2. Add 40cm to your measurement (20cm either side) to allow for curtain gathering, brackets and finials.
For a 36 inch 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 36 inch window, you need two panels of 36 inches each for twice the width and a luxurious gather.
Measure the window you wish to cover. Add 4 to 5 inches of overlap on each side or a total of 8 to 10 inches to the overall window width. All of our drapery panels come with fullness built in, so just order the size measured plus the overlap.
Using the metal rule, measure the width of your window in cm. Using the measurement taken in step 2, add 40cm. This is to allow the pole to protrude 20cm either side of your window, which provides space for curtains to be drawn back either side of the window.
This rule isn't an exact must, but it's what we've found after being in the custom drapery business for a long time. If you have plenty of wall space, it's always best to have more of your curtain cover the wall and less of the window once the curtain is naturally stacked back to each side.
The curtain rod should be placed at least 4-6 inches above the window or up to 2/3 of the distance between the top of the window and the ceiling. Ensure that the rod sticks out at least 3 or 4 inches beyond the window on each side when you install it.
Again, with tie backs originating in the 16th Century, there's the assumption that this handy accessory is dated. In reality, tie backs breathe a new lease of life into homes with natural light. They're also ideal for houses with little ones running around, keeping them safe from trip hazards with minimal effort.
Gaps around windows and doors should be sized to allow for thermal movement and this will vary depending on the material of the frame. The maximum gap permitted for openings less than 3m should be 10mm. For openings more than 3m, the maximum gap permitted should be 15mm.
Key Takeaways. The decorative side of curtains should typically face the interior of the room for aesthetic appeal. For optimal light-blocking, the lined side of blackout curtains should face the window. Hanging patterned curtains with designs facing inward enhances room aesthetics and showcases your style.
However, a more common style would be for curtains to hang slightly below the window sill and we would recommend measuring anywhere between 10cm to 20cm below the sill to provide sufficient privacy in most cases.
Use one curtain rod, two panels (unless the panels are narrow, in which case get four panels and keep two on each side; you need enough curtain panel to cover all of the windows without having to pull the panels taut). Just treat it like one big single window.