Is it better for curtains to be too long or too short?

Author: Rick Herman  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Short curtains. Short curtains and drapes are not ideal, and most often you don't want curtains that hang more than an inch above the ground. Too short curtains can not only look outdated, but they can also sometimes make the ceiling look lower.

Does it matter if my curtains are too short?

When hanging curtains, it is important that the curtains are the right length. Curtains that are too short make the room look short, stubby and awkward. The cut the length of the wall, making both the window and the room look smaller.

What do you do if your curtains are too long?

Creative Ways to Shorten Long Curtains
  1. Tieback and Blouse. The position of the tiebacks can give long curtains a little lift. ...
  2. A Little Off the Top. Shorten tab-top or tie-style curtains at least a few inches by turning them into grommet-hung curtains. ...
  3. Shorten as Pleats or Scarves. ...
  4. Raise the Rod. ...
  5. Tier Up.

Do long or short curtains make a room look bigger?

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.

Should my curtains be full length?

How Long Should Curtains Be? Floor-length is the way to go, unless there's a radiator or a deep sill in the way. Ready-made panels are available in lengths from 63 to 144 inches. Measure from the floor to where you'll hang the rod, then round up.

HANGING CURTAINS? DON'T MAKE THESE 5 TERRIBLE MISTAKES!

Is it OK to put long curtains on short windows?

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.

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 can I make my living room look bigger with curtains?

How to Make a Room Look Bigger With Curtains (5 Simple Tips)
  1. Hang the Curtains as High as Possible.
  2. Use Curtain Rods to Your Advantage.
  3. Long Curtains Are the Way to Go.
  4. Mind the Texture of the Curtains.
  5. Opt for a Light Color Scheme.

At what height should curtains be hung?

A rule of thumb (from Architectural Digest) is that curtains should be hung between four to six inches above the window frame, so install your curtain rod accordingly. When you hang the curtain rod high, it will make the window appear taller.

How do you make a small living room look bigger?

What are the best tricks to make a small living room look bigger?
  1. Painting walls and ceilings a pale or light color.
  2. Choosing reflective finishes for walls and floors – in tasteful moderation.
  3. Hanging mirrors.
  4. Decluttering and investing in smart storage to keep surfaces as clear as possible.

How do you shorten long curtains without cutting them?

When curtains appear too long, try sewing a hem, which can allow you to shorten curtains without cutting curtains to length so you can retain the fabric if you want to. Another way of shortening curtains is to incorporate a folded design with buttons as fasteners. Folding the curtain hem up creates a double hem.

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 you hide curtains that are too short?

3 Ways to Make Sure you get a Perfect Hang-Length
  1. 1) Get the 96″ length curtains and re-hang your rod higher on your wall, if you have the room. (Zero cost) ...
  2. 2) Buy the 96″ length curtains and trim/hem them to the right length. (Medium cost) ...
  3. 3) Sew on a border to the bottom of your 84″ curtains.

Can you hang curtains too high?

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.

Is it OK if curtains don't touch the floor?

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.

Should curtains hit 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.

Should curtains go to the ceiling?

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.

How far should curtains be from ceiling?

For low ceilings, it's recommended to hang the curtains 3-6 inches above the window frame. For rooms with high ceilings, hang curtains 8 inches above the window frame.

Does GREY make a room look bigger?

If you want to make your living room look bigger, stick to lighter colors that reflect more light and make the space feel more open. Neutrals, like off-white, beige, or light grays, are a great way to add a level of sophistication and calm.

Do curtains make a room bigger?

Curtains absolutely can make a room look smaller or larger, depending on their design. Thick curtains and dark curtains are known for making a regular room look slightly smaller, while sheer curtains made of lightly-colored fabrics are ideal for helping to visually expand a room's size.

How far should a 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 high do you hang 84 inch curtains?

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.

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.

How do you lengthen the top of a curtain?

Full Tutorial: How to Lengthen Curtains with One Seam
  1. Determine how long your new curtains need to be. ...
  2. Measure your curtains. ...
  3. Cut the second set of curtains for the added length. ...
  4. Fold the cut end of the second set of curtains over twice (fold down ½” and again ½”) and iron. ...
  5. Sew a straight seam across where it's pinned.

How can I make my curtains look more expensive?

How to Make Your Curtains Look More Expensive
  1. Hang them high—and wide. Mount your curtain hardware as close to the ceiling as possible for a high-end look. ...
  2. Use statement hardware. Upgrade basic panels by adding thicker, more substantial hardware to your window treatments. ...
  3. Weigh them down. ...
  4. Train them.

Previous article
Are all Bosch dishwashers the same size?
Next article
How often should you wash hardwood floors?