For the best results, mount your curtain rod 4 to 6 inches above your window frame (or closer to the ceiling for a grander look) and extend it 3 to 10 inches beyond the window frame on each side. This simple trick creates the illusion of taller, wider windows and allows natural light to flood the room.
A reliable guideline for hanging curtains is to position your curtain rod at ½ to ⅔ of the distance between the top of your window trim and the ceiling. In simpler terms, the rod should be closer to the ceiling than the window.
Sheer layering, textured linens, soft velvets, warm neutrals, bold patterns and full-height drapery are shaping interiors this year. Discover inspiration for living rooms, lounges and bedrooms, and explore smart tracks and wave headings for a refined, tailored look.
A curtain rail installed across the entire width of the wall makes the room appear wider, which is particularly beneficial in narrow interiors. This effect can be intensified by using light, airy curtains in bright colors.
It's best to hang a curtain rod closer to the ceiling than to the window frame. A good rule of thumb is 2/3 the distance between the ceiling and window. You can go even higher if you are wanting to make your windows look taller and create a more dramatic look.
❌ Mounting Too Low: This can make ceilings appear lower and rooms feel smaller. ❌ Using Short Rods: Curtains that don't extend beyond the window frame can block light and make windows look cramped. ❌ Neglecting Center Support: Long rods without middle brackets may sag over time.
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.
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.
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.
Please don't hang your rod directly above your window!! All windows are going to be different depending on your ceiling height but you can generally stick to about 6-8 inches higher and about 8-10 inches wider for a much more elevated look.
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LUCKY COLOR OF THE YEAR 2026 TRANSFORMATIVE TEAL.
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.
Curtain placement changes everything. Hanging them higher, wider, and just touching the floor makes the window look larger and the room feel more polished.
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.”
Brightens up the space: When high curtains are next to windows, they emphasize the brightness of the opening. "[This] psychologically makes the room overall feel brighter, and again by extension, larger," Mayer says.
Ditching shades has a lot of upsides regardless of who you are. Uncovered windows bring in natural light, boost well-being, and offer a view of the world outside. The trade-off, of course, is that they also put those inside on display to passersby, and in the summer, they channel heat.
Drapery continues to rise as a focal point in rooms, and ornate details are key in 2026. Think intricate trims, tassels, fringe, and banding on rich fabrics like silk and velvet. We also expect to see even more patterned fabric and bold colors being utilized.
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.
“If your curtains are too close to your sofa's color, the room can look a little flat. A subtle difference in tone or texture works beautifully. A gray sofa with charcoal curtains feels layered and smart, while a beige sofa with cream curtains gives you that soft, light look without washing things out.”
Do Scandinavian Homes Have Curtains? True homes in Scandinavian countries typically don't have curtains. This is for a couple functional reasons. First, having no curtains allows maximum sunlight to enter the room, and when you're as far north as Scandinavian countries, sunlight is at a premium.
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.
Drapery Dos and Don'ts