How High to Hang Curtains (Drapes) & Curtain Rods

When it comes to the best height for hanging curtains, opinions are mixed. But regardless, the most popular choice is to hang them higher than the window’s top trim. But what exactly does that mean – are there measurements to go along with that? Yup.

And while we all know I could talk about any topic for days, let’s stop the chitter chatter and get right at ‘er.

HOW HIGH SHOULD CURTAINS SIT OFF THE FLOOR?

Firstly, let’s just clear a few things up.

1.  If you have a baseboard heater and you want to hang your drapes or curtains above the baseboard heater, think again. This is a well-intentioned, but very awkward look. You’re better off sticking with blinds or roman shades.

2.  Your drapes should not be any higher than 1 inch off the floor (and even that’s a bit much). And while shorty drapes (63″) can look good in a kid’s room and in the odd cottage or vintage home, generally they’re not cool or remotely trendy, says me, who is so obviously the epitome of cool (wink wink).

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OPTION 1: CURTAINS HANGING 1/4″ – 1/2″ FROM THE FLOOR

This works great for curtains that are opened and closed frequently. They hang nicely without any muss or fuss and are still easy to vacuum around without sucking them up into a tangled oblivion.

I’d lift the above drapes up just 1/2″, so they don’t catch on the floor.

OPTION 2: MAKE YOUR CURTAINS LIGHTLY KISS THE FLOOR

You’d better be darn good at measuring to get this one bang on the spot…

OPTION 3: THE PUDDLE (BLAME THE DOG)

Puddling is a technique often used by those of us (no names mentioned….me) who can’t sew. I’ve done this in my bedroom, and I open and close my drapes every day, and it’s a pain…in…the…butt. Puddling is high-maintenance and really only works well for drapes that are dummy panels, meaning they’re just for show and aren’t opened/closed very often.

Here’s an example of some puddling curtains…

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THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT TYPES OF CURTAIN PUDDLING

1-2″ PUDDLE. This can make you look terrible at measuring and like you hung the drapes too low. Avoid this…please

3-5″ PUDDLE. Definitely the most popular puddle right now. Looks decorative without looking messy.

6-10″ PUDDLE. This is definitely the most high-maintenance puddle and really needs to be fluffed and laid out deliberately to get the full effect.

HOW HIGH SHOULD A CURTAIN ROD BE HUNG ABOVE THE WINDOW & ITS TRIM?

Often this is dictated by the length of your curtains; however, hopefully, you can sew…

If you have 84″ curtains, you’re super limited to hanging your rod relatively level with the top of your window trim. 84″ curtains don’t usually leave much more room. That said, few people are buying 84″ long these days – more opt for 96″+.

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OPTION 1: 1/3 – 1/2 WAY UP THE WALL SPACE ABOVE THE WINDOW TRIM

If you have 96″ drapes, you have a bit more flexibility. In most applications, hanging the rod approx. 1/3 – 1/2 way between the top of your window trim and your ceiling line (or the bottom of your crown molding or upper trim) is a great look.

These next curtains are probably led by their length. If they were a bit longer, I’d raise the rod maybe 2″…

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That said, I’m in love with this room overall.

OPTION 2: CLOSE TO THE CEILING

Curtains and their rod can also be hung closer to the ceiling line, depending on the ceiling height.

If you’re left with more than 12″ of wall space between the top of your window trim and the rod, it can look awkward (in some spaces) and may need to be fixed with something like bamboo blinds (to fill the gap)…

On the other hand, the next set of living room windows seems slightly shorter. I like that the homeowner hung the curtains and their rod approx. 20″ from the top of the wood trim…

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For any random quandaries, questions, and queries!

SHOULD YOU HANG YOUR CURTAINS CLOSE TO THE WINDOW TRIM OR THE CEILING?

A lot of that answer depends on the height of your windows and ceiling. Generally speaking…

8′ ceilings: I’d go within a few inches of the ceiling to make the ceiling look higher.

9′ – 10′ ceilings: Personal taste. Some might hang the rod about 1/3 of the way up the wall space from the window trim (usually around 4-6″). Others might hang the rod at 2/3 up the wall space between the window trim and the ceiling. In my experience, closer to the ceiling is the more popular choice.

Higher ceilings: The average installation puts curtain rods approx. 10-12″ above the window trim.

Well, that was short and sweet!

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