What is the proper length for living room curtains?

Author: Prof. Serena Walter  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Floor length: Long curtains that go from above your window frame all the way to the floor to create a traditional, formal look. Typical curtain length for this style is 84 to 96 inches; these curtains will fall about 1/4-inch above the floor. They are ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms.

How far below window should curtains hang?

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 to touch the floor?

You should aim for your curtain hem to be about 3/8" to 1/2" above the floor. Not only is this an easier length to measure for, but it also makes it simple to vacuum and sweep. It's a great option if you plan to open and close your curtains a lot since you won't need to rearrange them each time.

What is the perfect curtain length?

Generally, you should avoid anything shorter than 96 inches, unless you have very low ceilings. When in doubt, go with longer curtains rather than a shorter, cut off length. If you can't find ready-made curtains that fit your home, you might need custom curtains.

How do you determine curtain length?

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 To Choose A CURTAIN LENGTH and Size

Are 84 inch curtains long enough?

Standard curtains come in three lengths—84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. "Generally, you want to stay away from the 84 inch standard curtains unless you have very low ceilings. They don't look right in most scenarios and end up being an awkward length," says Curtis.

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.

Should sheers and curtains be the same length?

Sheers should be the general length as the curtain panels. However, if they are being layered behind solid curtains, sheers should hang approximately one inch shorter than their solid counterparts.

Is it okay 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 ground?

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.

Should curtains be longer than window?

The rule of thumb is to go 8″-12″ wider than your window.

Should curtains sit on a window sill?

Above the sill

As the sill is always visible, it's important that the gap between the curtain and the sill remains uniform at every point, so if you've an older property with an uneven window sill, this curtain drop would not be suitable.

When should I use 63 inch curtains?

This will ultimately depend on the length of your window, but as a general rule, curtains will hang to the following points on most windows:
  1. 63 inches: To the windowsill.
  2. 84 inches: To the floor.
  3. 95 inches: Puddles onto the floor.

How high should you hang curtains with 9 foot ceilings?

For a 9 foot ceiling, pick 96-inch curtains. Typically, your curtain rod is hung about a foot from the ceiling. 96 inches covers the distance between the floor up to one foot from the ceiling.

Can you see through sheer curtains at night?

Sheer curtains offer little during the day and almost none at night. The moment the sun goes down and lights come on inside the house, sheer curtains can completely expose you to outsiders. Semi-sheers are less translucent and their weave is denser.

Can sheer curtains be shorter than curtains?

Floor-length sheers should end one to two inches above the floor if they are hung beneath another curtain. However, sheers can go to greater lengths if they stand alone. For a soft and romantic look, add an additional three to four inches for "breaking" sheers, or 12 to 15 inches for sheers that puddle.

What is the purpose of sheer curtains?

Sheer curtains, also known as sheers are lightweight fabrics that cover over your windows, soften your home's lighting, and add an instant infusion of style into your interior decor. Sheer curtains give you a measure of privacy, but are also well-matched for a layered window treatment.

How far should curtain rods stick out?

Curtain rods should extend at least 3 to 6 inches past the window frame. Just as hanging curtains above the window frame makes the window appear taller, Bob Vila writes that extending the curtain rod past the window frame makes the window appear wider.

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.

Are curtains out of style 2021?

The Main Interior Trends 2021 for Curtains

Various ruffles and frills are no longer trendy. Such options are appropriate only if you have chosen a design for the bedroom or the living room in the style of some period era like Victorian times.

Are curtains in style for 2021?

Among the main curtain trends for 2021 is an ambiance that's airy or light. Heavy and thick curtains can make a room look and feel much smaller. Homeowners might not realise that some guests may even feel claustrophobic in a room treated with bulky curtains, especially if the room isn't large to begin with!

Do you have to have blinds with curtains?

We often get asked the question 'do curtains and blinds work together? ' The answer is, for the most part, 'yes' – when paired, the two can bring out a flexible décor and ensure adequate blocking of light and privacy control. However, there are some style guidelines to follow to get the look just right.

Do long 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.

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