FIND THE IDEAL CURTAINS FOR YOUR HOME
Curtains are an often-overlooked but essential finishing touch to make a room inviting. They instantly give your home a sense of style and can bring the decor and design you envision to life.
Beautiful curtains also provide additional privacy, sunlight control, and increase energy efficiency.
Perfecting the look for your space also means getting the correct window and curtain measurements. We know this can be totally confusing.
How high should I mount the curtain rod? How long should my curtains be? Should they touch the floor?
The truth is, it depends! Let your personal taste and the following guide steer you towards a look you’ll love.
If you already have a curtain rod installed, you can jump to #4 right away.
1. CHOOSE THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR YOUR CURTAIN ROD
Your curtain length will depend on where you want to place the curtain rod. It is most common to have your curtains hang over and around the windows.
If you have the space and want to achieve a stylish look that will make the window seem larger, follow the pro tip and place the rod ~20cm / 8" over your window.
2. FIND THE RIGHT LENGTH FOR YOUR CURTAIN ROD
To determine the length of your curtain rod, measure your window width first.
Curtain rods typically extend about 7-14cm / 3-6" past the window frame on each side of the window (~25cm / 10" total).
3. CHOOSE YOUR CURTAIN ROD STYLE
Choose what kind of drapery style you want to achieve. There are many lovely styles to choose from and they'll make a difference in how the curtains will ultimately make the room feel.
GROMMET
These curtains come with rings that are inserted through the rod.
ROD POCKET
These curtains slip through the rod without any rings or clips.
PLEATED
These curtains come with folds of fabric tightly gathered to create a heading that resembles a line of pleats.
HOOKS
These curtains get hung with around 4 tiny hooks per meter.
4. MEASURE THE PERFECT LENGTH FOR YOUR CURTAINS
The interior design style and your desired look will determine the right length to choose for your curtains.
There are different ways to hang them, depending on your personal preferences and the location of your windows.
APRON STYLE
This style requires curtains to end roughly 10-15cm / 4-6" below the windowsill for a casual and charming look.
These are undeniably practical and ideal for windows you open frequently such as the kitchen or bathroom. This style is also ideal for small windows and windows above heaters or wherever furniture would interfere with full-length curtains.
FLOOR LENGTH
These curtains usually end only about 1cm / 0.5" above the floor and create a polished and stylish look.
This style is most common in spaces like the living room or other high-traffic areas in the house. Pro Tip: Place your rod higher than your actual window to make your room look taller.
PUDDLE STYLE
Those statement curtains usually extend about 12-25cm / 5-10" onto the floor to create a bit more of a luxurious and dramatic look.
This lush style is often used in formal spaces like dining rooms and only recommended for low-traffic rooms with no kids or pets as the extra fabric at the bottom may gather pet hair, crumbs and dirt. It's also perfect if you want to hide an uneven floor.
5. DETERMINE THE IDEAL WIDTH OF YOUR CURTAINS
After you’ve chosen where and how you want the curtains to hang, it’s time to consider their width, which is equally crucial. Generally, longer curtains require more fullness to look balanced.
A curtain's width should typically be between 1.5 to 3 times the width of your window. For floor curtain lengths, a good rule of thumb is to take the width of the window and double it.
However, the fullness you choose will ultimately define the style you want to achieve. Generally speaking, fuller curtains create a richer feel and equal a more dramatic look.
Keep in mind that curtains are often listed as single items, so check if your curtains come in a pair or whether you’ll have to buy a set.
