Yes, hanging curtains all the way to the ceiling is a highly recommended design trick. Mounting your curtain rod directly below the ceiling or crown molding, rather than just above the window frame, draws the eye upward to create the illusion of taller ceilings, larger windows, and a grander, more open space.
If you hang your curtains high enough that they covers the window trim, you'll create the illusion of a higher wall. If you have a shorter ceiling, it's recommended you simply hang your curtains directly onto the ceiling to avoid making your space look too short.
Thankfully, Stewart was quick to ease our curtain concerns. She says, “They're beautiful, I don't have anything against them, I just don't live with them… I like to look outside. Every window [in my home] looks out to something nice, and it's just all open to the view.”
Width is Key: Extend your curtain rods 3 to 6 inches on each side of the window frame. This allows you to draw the curtains completely off the glass, flooding the room with light and making the window appear larger. Height is Everything: This is the most important trick! Hang the rod high.
Not Measuring Correctly. One of the most common mistakes people make when hanging curtains is not measuring correctly. It's important to measure the width of your window and the height from the top of the window to where you want your curtains to fall.
Some of Stewart's homes utilize interior blinds for light regulation and privacy. Others feature windows framed by exterior shutters, operable versions of which can also be used for light control, ventilation and privacy.
Layered Curtains
While heavy curtains are the answer to a room in need of some privacy, they can feel a little stuffy, often preventing light from gently filtering through during the daytime. This is where the ever-popular window treatment trend comes into play: the layered curtain.
Curtain trends in 2026 are shifting from purely functional covers to architectural statement pieces. The top looks emphasize rich, natural textures, layered depth, warm neutral and earth-toned palettes, and smart home integration to bring quiet luxury and character to interior spaces.
The golden rule of hanging curtains is to go high and wide. Mount rods closer to the ceiling than the window frame, and extend them well past the sides. This tricks the eye into perceiving taller ceilings and larger, grander windows, instantly elevating your space.
Switch out your single curtain rod for a double rod. Then add a set of sheers closest to the window. For the front rod, hang heavier drapes made of polyester, velvet, silk or chenille. Curtains with a light filtering liner also feel thicker and heavier, so they hang nicely and feel more expensive.
Even though ornate valances were once a staple in traditional-style homes, they are now considered outdated. "Avoid overly ornate valances, which can feel dated and heavy," says interior designer Danielle Chiprut. "They can feel at odds with today's preference for light, airy interiors."
Martha Stewart recently went on the In Bed with Paige DeSorbo Amazon livestream and dropped a hot take about how often she swaps her bedding. Stewart revealed that she has her sheets changed every two to three days.
Martha Stewart, 83, has nothing to hide. She's always been unabashedly candid about her life and career, including her divorce and her 2005 stint in prison for insider trading. And now, the lifestyle guru is opening up about being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease vitiligo for the very first time.
Ceiling curtain tracks represent a more modern approach to hanging drapes. Installed directly onto the ceiling, they create clean lines and a seamless appearance. This system is especially popular in contemporary homes and spaces with tall or floor-to-ceiling windows.
Taking your curtains all the way to the ceiling—or just a few inches below it—is highly recommended. It draws the eye upward, giving the illusion of taller ceilings and making your windows feel significantly larger and more luxurious.
For most homes, placing sheer curtains closest to the window and blockout curtains behind provides the best balance of light, privacy, and visual appeal.
Choose Luxury Fabrics Like Linen or Velvet Curtains
Fabric is everything. Heavier, textured materials like velvet curtains, linen curtains, or jacquard fall in rich folds that scream “luxury.” Flimsy fabrics, on the other hand, often look cheap no matter how you hang them.
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.
Drapery weights instantly elevate cheap curtains by improving drape and structure. They're hidden, inexpensive, and easy to add, especially helpful for lightweight fabrics. Hang curtains wider and higher with enough fullness to achieve a designer look.
4 common curtain mistakes you can easily avoid
To create a designer-worthy look, DO hang curtains high toward the ceiling and wide past the window frame. DON’T use short, narrow panels that barely cover the glass, as this stunts the room's height. Proper styling makes spaces feel larger, brighter, and significantly more luxurious.
You may be surprised to learn this, but many interior design experts have used the terms Curtains and Drapes interchangeably over the years. While these two window treatments are very similar, some subtle differences exist between Curtains and Drapes.
6 Curtain Styles Designers Avoid—and What They Use Instead
LUCKY COLOR OF THE YEAR 2026 TRANSFORMATIVE TEAL.
Yes, curtains are incredibly stylish. Moving past bare minimalism, modern window treatments have evolved into major, mood-setting statement pieces. The 2026 design landscape focuses on warmth, "quiet luxury," and architectural integration.