'The perfect length for curtains depends on the aesthetic and mood of the space. However, curtains should either just touch the floor or be longer and puddle on the floor,' says Oshri Adri and Jillian Dahlman, the co-founders of Adri + Dahlman Interiors.
Whether or not you should puddle the curtains at the bottom is really a matter of personal preference, but for the most aesthetically pleasing and appropriate look, curtains should run to the floor. If you choose to puddle, you'll want at least 3-4 inches of fabric or so to make the puddling appear deliberate.
Except for ornate window frames you want to feature in the room, it's best to hang the curtain outside the window frame. Overshooting the window allows the fabric to hang without being cramped within a boxed-in frame.
Do use curtains that reach the floor. 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.
Generally, hanging curtain brackets on the wall above and outside the window molding looks best; it allows fabric to fall gracefully. If you have detailed window frames you don't want to cover, an inside mount (hanging curtains within the frame, as you would with a tension rod) can work.
With so much going on, it can actually detract from the view. Drapes may cover the side trim pieces, but they still provide many glimpses of trim! Whenever possible, we recommend mounting the drapery rod well above the top of your window. This means the the upper and lower trim is exposed, and this looks lovely.
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.
'Our general rule is that curtains should "kiss" the floor,' they explain. 'This look always feels polished, classic, and modern which complements our aesthetic. ' Wovn Home is one of our favorite recent discoveries for buying curtains, drapes, blinds and other window treatments.
True Puddle (6-16 inch)
A true puddle is, as it sounds, the original puddle. Adding somewhere around 6 to 16 inches of material to the bottom of your drapes will result in an elegant and sophisticated train of fabric.
Can you really hang curtains over baseboard heaters? The answer to that question is YES as long as they are above the heaters. These are the new curtains I just purchased and I made sure that the length of the panel hovered above the heaters. They hover above the baseboard heater a couple of inches.
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.
Don't locate curtains or drapes directly over or in front of electric heaters. Keep drapes and curtains at least 8-10" above electric baseboards, and/or at least 3" in front of them with 1" floor clearance (to allow air to circulate).
Electric baseboard heaters
You should never allow draperies/curtains to touch the heater. Short drapes or curtains need a minimum of 8 inches from bottom of fabric to top of heater.
You don't need to stress over matching your curtains exactly to your walls, sofa, or carpet. In fact, using a different color can actually add visual interest to the room, breaking up the walls so that the curtains don't “disappear.”
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.
The easiest way is to hang the curtains, then fold the bottoms under so they just graze the floor. However, you can also measure the length from the top of the curtain rod to the floor, then measure down from the top of the curtains. Just be sure to fold the fabric under, or toward the back of the curtains.
Curtains that are too short look awkward and out of place. They also visually alter your space, making ceilings look lower and the room smaller overall. Curtains that drag on the floor can be a hazard and collect dust more easily. Aim for a middle ground—curtains that hover just above the floor.
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.
Light curtain benefits
Increase how big a space feels with lighter curtains. Light coloured curtains are more likely to be made of lightweight curtain fabrics, which fall and flow beautifully. Lighter colours are easily dyed a different colour should you want an easy way to change it up in future.
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.
A window that is longer in length than width can benefit from longer curtains giving the window a larger feel. However, a very wide window that is unusually short may look better with shorter curtains. Keep in mind that in a small room curtains could potentially overwhelm the space.
Ready-made curtains come in a few standard lengths (typically 63, 84, 95, 108 or 120 inches). Unfortunately, windows do not always accommodate these measurements. However, tailoring curtains isn't just for style. Hemming also prevents the fabric from drooping on the floor, fraying and posing a tripping hazard.
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. '