Should curtains sit on window sill?

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.

Should curtains hang over 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.

How far above window sill should curtains be?

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. When you hang the curtain rod high, it will make the window appear taller.

Do curtains go to floor or bottom of window?

You'll typically want to hang your curtains slightly above the window unless you're using a tension rod that fits inside the window frame, so you'll need a few inches to accommodate that.

Where should curtains hang on windows?

For the ideal middle ground, curtains should hover just above the floor. To find the right curtain length, measure from the floor to where you'll hang the rod (usually 4 to 6 inches above the window frame).

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Can curtains be a few inches off the floor?

Standard curtains typically hang from about a half-inch from the floor to halfway between the window trim and average-height ceiling. But to maximize visual height, let the walls determine your curtain's length; in a living room, library, den or bedroom, the longer the panels, the better.

Is it okay if curtains don't touch the floor?

Floor-length curtains will elongate your window and make your room feel taller. Since they don't quite touch the floor, curtains hang perfectly straight. The hem also stays clean and doesn't pick up dirt, dust, and pet hair.

Are window curtains supposed to touch the floor?

It is normal for curtains to touch the floor. Some styles even need more length to produce a certain look. Using any of the curtain length styles is fine as long as it enhances the beauty of your home.

How high should curtains be off the floor?

The proper position is ½ inch above the floor for free hanging curtains. This distance allows for mopping and cleaning while creating the illusion that the curtain touches the floor.

How low should curtains hang below window?

The lower window casing that sits over a radiator or kitchen sink should act as the baseline for your curtains; the curtain's hem should just barely hide the trim. All other curtains -- regardless of window size -- should go to the floor with less than 1 inch to spare.

Can you hang curtains too high?

In this case if you hang a curtain too high it could look a little off, especially if there is a lot of bright light coming through showing where the actual window is. In that case you should hang them about 8 inches or less above the window frame.

Where should curtains stop?

The higher the curtain rod, the taller the window will appear, so fix your curtain rod closer to the ceiling than the top of your window, if you can. One rule of thumb is that they should sit 4-6 inches above the window frame.

What length should curtains be?

If you are interested in stationary panels, you will want your curtains to be long enough to lightly brush the floor, but not so long that they bunch up in a pile. A good rule of thumb is for your curtains to break anywhere from a ¼” to ½” from the floor, similar to a break in pant legs on your shoe.

How do you not hang curtains?

DON'T: Hang Them Right Above the Window

Drapes that rest right above the frame stunt the window and let in less light, which can give the entire space a crowded look. Keep in mind that, when open, your curtains shouldn't fall more than 2 inches inside the frame on each side.

How far should curtains extend beyond window frame?

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.

Are short or long curtains better?

Short curtains are typically only used when long curtains are unrealistic (such as when a radiator, the bed headboard, or some other object would interfere with the curtains). In addition, long curtains provide a better aesthetic and can make the room appear bigger, especially when hung higher than the window frame.

How do you close a gap between curtains and walls?

You can close a troublesome gap between curtains and walls by installing a wrap around curtain rod and hanging curtains that are longer and wider than the window they cover. You can attach the sides of your curtains to the walls adjacent to a window using tape, pins, or Velcro strips.

Should curtains touch the ceiling?

Your best move is to hang curtains within 8 inches of the top of the window frame. For very tall windows, which are popular in many modern homes, that means placing the rod as close to the ceiling as possible—in fact, you might want to install rods designed to actually hang from the ceiling.

Can you put long curtains on a short window?

Hanging long drapes on a short window is one of the easiest ways to increase the importance of the window and bring it into proportion to the room. Short drapes on a short window call attention to the size of the window and reduce the significance of the room, window and drapery style.

What curtains to use on short windows?

One idea is to use a floor-length curtain to make short windows look taller. Hang them on stylish curtain rods installed at least 5 inches above the window frame. If your window is both short and wide, a medium-weight fabric is a better choice.

Why do people put floor to ceiling curtains?

Your Curtains Will Fall Much Better

By adding height to where your curtain is hung from, you immediately create a better way for the curtain to fall. The ceiling to floor curtain length allows the fabric to fold in a neat way, the higher the curtain the better this looks.