Should Curtains Touch The Floor? [Measurements]
There are many decisions to make when you get new curtains or drapes, but arguably the most important factor is how you hang them.
Though style and fabric must be chosen carefully, how you hang your window treatments will ultimately determine how well they fit in any room. That’s why one of the most common questions our designers hear is: should curtains touch the floor?
The answer isn’t necessarily intuitive, especially since most windows in a home don’t extend to the ground, but more often than not, curtains and drapes look best when they reach the floor.
However, just how low drapes should hang depends on a few factors, and sometimes you may even want them to exceed floor length.
Here are a few different ways to hem your curtains and drapes and what you need to consider when deciding which look is best for your windows.
Here are some considerations when hanging curtains:
- Window Style
If your window style doesn’t go with the decor of your space, or you just find it unappealing, hanging your curtains at the top of the wall is one way to conceal them effectively.
However, if you have ornate trim around your windows, hanging the rod higher covers this trim unless you leave your curtains open, and you lose what could be a point of interest and texture in your room’s decor.
Ornate or decorative windows should be shown off, so hang the curtains within the window frame using a tension rod or inside mount to show off the architectural features of the window.
- Ceiling Height
Ceiling height plays a major role in how high you should hang your curtains. In a room with standard ceiling heights of about 8 feet, either method of hanging can work.
The typical height for hanging drapery on a window with more than 12 inches of space between the top and the ceiling is about 4 to 6 inches above the window trim. If there is not at least 12 inches of space, hanging the curtains at window level may highlight the limited space.
Hanging the curtains at the top of the wall hides the trim and can visually heighten the wall. Cathedral ceilings or ceilings higher than 8 to 10 feet are another matter.
It is often best to use the 4 to 6 inches above the window trim unless the windows stretch close to the high ceilings. If there is little space between the trim and the ceiling, then hang the curtains from the ceiling.
- Visual Effects
Hanging your curtains at ceiling level maximizes the light that shines through your window, making the room feel more prominent because the walls look taller. This works well in a small space but may not be ideal in an already too large room.
Placing the curtain just above the window trim allows you to use a shorter curtain or enable the fabric to pool on the floor, creating an appealing effect.
To do this with ceiling-mounted curtains would require longer curtains than you’re likely to find at a store. On the other hand, hanging the curtains at ceiling height can be a valuable technique for balancing a room with windows of different heights or sizes.
The Six Types of Curtain Lengths.
- Sill
The shortest type of curtain length is the Sill. Its standard length is usually a half-inch above the window sill.
These curtains can provide a casual and charming look for your home. It uses fun colors and patterns that add character to a room.
We use this type of curtain length for small windows. They have a short size so they won’t block the furniture, heater, or counter below it. You can find this type of curtain in most bathrooms and kitchens.
- Apron
The average length of an apron curtain is 1 inch below the window apron. This type of curtain length is not that popular. But they are practical because their size can prevent the floor’s dust and dirt from accumulating essential.
These curtain lengths may sometimes look too short. So it is better to only use them on windows with objects that obstruct full-length curtains.
- Floor
Floor-length curtains are one of the most popular types of curtain styles that you can use in your home. Its standard length is half an inch above the floor.
This type of curtain length has a smooth and stylish look. It makes your windows look taller and more elegant.
Floor-length curtains usually don’t touch the floor. Because of this, your curtains will hang straighter and look cleaner.
We use this type of curtain length in high-traffic areas such as the living room. It is both practical to use and beautiful to look at.
- Breaking
Also known as the break puddle, breaking length curtains features a tailored appearance. Its length ranges from a half-inch to an inch or more from the ground.
Breaking length curtains create a slight fold or break at the bottom of the curtain. This produces contrasting banding that has a stylish and elegant effect.
This length is best used in curtains with cotton or linen fabrics. Using these materials can give your home a more laid-back and relaxing feel.
- Trouser
Trouser-length curtains provide a sophisticated look for your home. Its length is at least 2 inches more than the length of the floor.
This type of curtain length creates a fold or bend at the right places. It makes your curtains look more well-groomed and fashionable.
Trouser-length curtains produce the best effect using crisp and thicker fabrics. It is perfect for your bedroom, family room, and dining room.
- Puddle
Also known as true puddles, puddle-length curtains are the most extended type of curtains. Its average length is 6 inches or longer from the floor. These curtain lengths are luxurious and spectacular to look at.
Puddle-length curtains are best for tall windows. It is excellent for rooms where you want to impress guests and relatives.
This type of curtain length typically uses thick cotton and velvet fabrics. But we do not recommend this type of length if you have pets. The extra fabric at the bottom can quickly accumulate your pet’s hair and other materials.
Standard Curtain Lengths
Ready-made curtains are available in the following lengths:
- 45 inches
- 54 inches
- 63 inches
- 84 inches
- 90 inches
- 96 inches
- 108 inches
- 120 inches
Although these are the most common sizes, it doesn’t mean they are the only lengths available. Other curtains brands offer different measurements that you can use for your home.
You can also measure the curtain you need and have a tailor create the perfect length.
How To Measure Curtain Lengths
To get the correct length, you need to take a measurement. So grab your measuring tape and start measuring from the floor up to your curtain rod. Add the size you need for the curtain style selected, and you get done.
For sill and apron length style, measure the rod to the window sill or window apron.
Some of the different ways to hang your curtains.
- Lightly touching the floor
Drapes and curtains that lightly brush (or “kiss”) the floor are the most stylish length. To achieve this look, though, great care needs to be taken to measure the fabric panels and to hem them precisely. It’s worth investing the time, though, as your curtains will fit perfectly and look like they were made specifically for the windows they’re covering.
- Hovering an inch or less above the floor
Another stylish option is to have curtains hover slightly above the floor: no more than an inch.
This style makes opening and closing the drapes or curtains easy, so it’s an excellent option for windows that will be used often.
This option is also forgiving than those that precisely hit the floor, which means your measuring and hemming won’t get—derailed length if it’s a few millimeters off. It also means you don’t have to worry about slightly uneven floors.
Some people opt for curtains or drapes to break at the floor, with fabric extending past the ground.
This is usually achieved with just an extra two or three inches of material, though sometimes – especially in formal or traditional rooms – drapes extend six inches past the floor so the fabric will puddle on the ground.
But, again, this style is best done with thick, high-quality material so that the puddle can easily stay in place once it gets styled.
Though this style can look great in some rooms, it’s important to remember that drapes or curtains that break on the floor require more maintenance. They will collect dust and pet hair much more quickly, so they’ll need to be cleaned more often.
- Short curtains
Short curtains and drapes are not ideal; most often, you don’t want curtains hanging more than an inch above the ground.
Too short curtains can not only look outdated, but they can also sometimes make the ceiling look lower. However, there are a couple of scenarios where short curtains are a more practical option.
Floor-length or puddled curtains aren’t the norms in bathrooms, where wet floors can cause unsightly mold growth on hems, or in the kitchen, where a window sits over the sink.
In these cases, hang the panels to the window sill to show off attractive trim or to the bottom of ho-hum or narrow trim to help hide its insignificance.
Cafe-style curtains, hung from the sill to halfway or two-thirds up the window, allow privacy without blocking all-natural light.
Another consideration is children: sometimes parents opt for shorter curtains in kids’ bedrooms or playrooms to be less likely to play with them or pull them down.
If you have a window above a radiator, you’ll want to cut your curtains to hang above it.
Curtain puddles may be luxurious, but they’re not always practical. Puddle curtain fabric only if they’re decorative, not if you’ll be opening and closing them routinely, which will dirty and wear the hems.
On the other hand, if you’re going for a trouser effect, an extra inch will do, like pant hems resting on shoes if you want more elegance, puddle two to four inches of fabric—Fan 6 to 8 inches of excess material on the floor for an all-out elaborate look.
So should curtains touch the floor? The short answer is yes, usually.
But when deciding about your window treatments, whether they’re drapes, blinds, or shades, it’s important to consider every aspect of style and function so you can choose the best option for your windows and home.