How to Hang Curtains
The 2 Rules You Need for Drapery Hanging
I’m not a big rule follower.
My natural tendency is to buck the system.
But, when it comes to hanging curtains you really do need to follow the rules. Well, you don’t HAVE to, but let’s just say that if you don’t, the window treatment police will be headed to your home, and off to drapery jail you go.
Hmmm, if only that were true, but then again, if it were I may be out of work.
What if I told you that following these 2 rules would make your windows look larger, your room feel bigger and would also let more light into your home? Then would you follow the drapery hanging rules?
I’m betting you would.
Now, I’m not talking about what fabric to use or how wide the panels need to be, etc. That’s another blog post altogether.
Here they are, the two rules you need to follow when hanging curtains.
- Hang them high and wide
- Hang them just above the floor
Can you tell the difference in the pictures above?
High and wide, high and wide, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve said this phrase. I say it at almost every Consultation I go to and I repeat it to every client I have.
Your draperies should be hung at the ceiling or just below your crown molding if you have it. If you can’t go that high because it’s just way too out there for you, then at least hang them half way between the top of your window trim and the ceiling.
The inside edge of the drapery should be hung on the edge of the glass, where it meets the trim and extend out from there onto the wall. The fabric should not be covering the glass part of the window.
So the draperies are high and wide. They are actually taking up space on the wall, not on the window. That way they are letting in the most amount of light possible. AND, they are making your window appear larger than it is.
The correct length of a drapery panel is just to the floor.
If you are super, fancy pants you can have them puddling. But, only if you’re super, fancy pants and your room is super, fancy pants formal.
Otherwise, hang them just to the floor. Please, don’t hang them to the bottom of the window. Times have changed. Hanging them to the bottom of the windowsill looks like your window is wearing floods. Remember that kid in elementary school that wore floods to school? Don’t be that kid when it comes to your draperies. That’s it. And, I’m not legally responsible for this, but your baseboard heater does not get so hot that it will burn a quality drapery. If you’re really worried about your baseboard heater then go with a roman shade. Skip the drapery.
Those are my two rules. I’m sure some of you will disagree with me. I’m sure you’ll want to argue your point. But, believe me, I’m steadfast on these 2 rules. Yeah, they’re my opinion, but it’s an educated, professional one. And, it’s my blog…
Let me know what you think in the Comments below.
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I really don’t want to go to drapery jail. I have heard the horror stories! Great post!
They’re watching you Darla! 🙂
Ooh, I don’t want my curtains wearing floods-so dated looking. Thanks for keeping my windows stylish!
No floods Elle! YOU are stylish anyway 🙂
I have been trying to get my mom to understand this for YEARS. Thank you for showing her the light!!
Moms are hard to change Dixie! 🙂 Good luck and you’re welcome!
I need to rehang my curtains and take them all the way to the ceiling. Just haven’t got around to it. Excellent tips!
It’s hard to find time to work on our own homes Tarsha isn’t it?
My new mantra, “High and wide!”
High & Wide Chanda, High & Wide. I’m like a broken record!
I love these rules. And maybe I want to be fancy pants and puddle. ? Actually it’s hard to vacuum when the curtains are puddled.
YOU can be fancy pants and puddle! Get vacuuming 🙂
Now there’s a side hustle for me – The Window Treatment Police. I think you’re onto something, Wendy 🙂 Great post! Windows are for looking out on the view and letting light in. Don’t cover them up! I’m just a little “fancy pants” sometimes. I like them to ball gown break on the floor, an inch or so. Puddling is worse than flooding in my opinion.
You can definitely be the window police! 🙂 You can be fancy pants if you like. 🙂 Really, YOU’RE the window treatment expert. It’s personal preference too.
Great post! I cringe when I see curtains that aren’t min enough for the window. I always tell people, you’re curtains shouldn’t look like high water pants.
Tia
Exactly Tia!
What a difference it makes when you hang them high and wide.
Right?!
I love these tips. Thanks of posting… “Window is wearing floods..” Great example….
No flooding. 🙂
I agree with you Wendy!! Great post. And for the record, I have worked in real jails…I can only imagine how crazy an institution would be for those who go to ‘drapery jail’. LOL
LOL I still can’t believe you worked in a jail! No drapery jail for you though!
I have baseboard heaters under every dang window. I so want to have long curtains. Would they look ok if they fall just above baseboards? I know its my choice I just want to do the right thing! Also, I have formers with short windows, what length curtain would I hang there?