Should Curtains Touch The Floor many of us have this question and the answer isn’t always obvious, especially since most windows in homes don’t reach the ground, but curtains and drapes look best when they get to the floor. However, how soft drapes should hang is determined by several factors, and you may even want them to extend beyond the bottom.
Should Curtains Touch the Floor
When buying new curtains or drapes, there are a lot of decisions to make, but the most important one is how to hang them. Though style and fabric should be carefully chosen, how your window treatments are turned will essentially decide well how they fit in any room.
As a result, one of the most common questions our designers receive is whether or not curtains should reach the floor.
Your curtains should, with a few exceptions, reach the floor. Although your final decision will be based on the style you want to achieve, floor-length curtains are the most elegant and modern option.
On the other hand, short curtains may be appropriate in certain situations. This includes the following:
- Long curtains would be inconvenient in rooms like the kitchen or the bathroom.
- Above counters or furniture, there are small windows.
However, you should opt for short or long curtains and avoid curtains that end halfway between the windowsill and the floor
Lightly Touching The Floor
The most fashionable length for drapes and curtains is when they lightly brush (or “kiss”) the floor. great care must be taken to accurately measure and hem the fabric panels. It will be worth your time because your curtains will fit perfectly and appear custom-made for the windows they will be covering.
Hovering An Inch Or Less Above The Floor
Another fashionable option is to have the curtains hover just an inch above the floor. This style makes it simple to open and close the drapes or curtains, making it a good choice for frequently used windows.
This option is also more forgiving than those that precisely hit the floor, so your measuring and hemming won’t be thrown off if you’re a few millimeters off. It also means you won’t have to be concerned if your floors are slightly uneven.
Breaking At The Floor
Some people choose to have their curtains or drapes break at the floor, with fabric extending beyond it. This is usually accomplished by adding two or three inches of material to the drapes. In some cases – particularly in more formal or traditional rooms – drapes will extend six inches past the floor, causing the fabric to puddle.
This look is best achieved with thick, high-quality material, which allows the puddle to stay in place once styled.
However, this style can work in some rooms; keep in mind that drapes or curtains that break on the floor require more upkeep. They will easily collect dust and pet hair, necessitating more frequent cleaning.
Which Curtain Lengths Are Most Common?
84, 96, and 108 inches are the most common curtain lengths. 96 and 108 inches are suitable for most rooms.
Consider the location of the curtain rod and the length you want your curtains to fall when measuring for curtains. To be safe, choose curtains that are a little too long rather than too short.
Rules For Curtain Length
Curtains should touch or be near the floor whenever possible. Short curtains covering the window or hanging a few inches above the ground can make a room appear cluttered.
Long curtains provide a sense of balance and, depending on how they’re hung, can make your room appear taller and your windows seem more expansive.
Follow One Of These Three Guidelines To Get The Long Look:
Float: The most common are curtains with a floating level. Curtains should be about half an inch to an inch off the ground for this method.
Kiss: When your curtains “kiss” the floor, they are just touching. This look is immaculate and tidy, and it would work in almost any room.
Puddle/Pool: You can pool your curtains on the floor for a romantic, glam, or feminine look. You need 3-6 inches of extra fabric for your puddle for this look. Formal spaces benefit from small puddles of about 3 inches, while glam spaces benefit from larger pools.
Curtains: How High Above the Window Should They Be?
While curtain length is essential, the height at which curtains should be hung above the window is also crucial. First and foremost, you will be unable to order the proper curtain length without this number. Second, the placement of your curtain rod can influence how tall or short the room appears.
Curtain rods should be 4-6 inches above the top of the window in rooms with a standard 8-foot ceiling. You can hang your curtain rod up to 8 inches above the top of the window if your ceilings are 10 feet or higher. The length of time your curtains should hang from the floor is determined by the look you want to achieve. A list of common curtain styles and sizes follows:
- Sill Length: Because these are the shortest of the standard curtain lengths, they’re a great place to experiment with patterns or colors. You won’t get tired of a bold choice because it takes up less visual space.
- Floor-length: Floor-length curtains will make your room feel taller by elongating your window. Curtains hang perfectly straight because they don’t quite touch the floor. The hem stays clean, picking up no dirt, dust, or pet hair. Use them in living rooms, family rooms, and other high-traffic areas.
- Breaking length: Breaking corresponds to a curtain that extends 1″ to 2″ onto the floor, creating a loose “break” around the hemline for a relaxed look. This look is ideal for a room that needs warmth and invites, such as a bedroom or family room.
You’ll still have to move your curtains to vacuum or sweep, but it’ll be much easier than rearranging puddling curtains.
- Puddle Length: A “puddle” of fabric is created when your curtain extends at least 6 inches onto the floor. This formal style is inspired by the traditional, romantic kind of ornate old European homes, and it looks fantastic with velvet curtains.
It’s a lovely look, but it necessitates some maintenance because the curtains must be rearranged every time you vacuum or sweep. You also need to wash the curtains more frequently because they’ll directly contact the floor.
- Trouser length: They’re about two inches longer than the floor. They resemble a pair of well-fitting trousers, as their name suggests! If your curtains are made of a crisp, thick fabric and will be hung in a space with little foot traffic, this length is a great choice.
- Apron length: 84-inch-long curtains that fall a few inches below the window sill. This length is ideal for kitchens, bedrooms, and rooms with radiators beneath the windows. Floor-length curtains create a traditional, formal look by extending from above your window frame to the floor.
- The Kiss: The floor is barely visible through the curtains. The kiss is the most challenging style to hang correctly; precise measurements are required. Remember to measure the length of your curtains and the length of your curtain rods and curtain rings.
- Café length: Cafe curtains are different from short curtains in that they only cover half of the window. Half cafe curtains can be hung alone, or a valance, a small flounced curtain, can be added to the top edge. If you want privacy and want to let in some natural light, this curtain style is ideal for bathrooms. They’re also a stylish kitchen option that goes well with country rustic or farmhouse decor.
Where Should Curtains Drop To
Curtain drop is primarily determined by personal taste and the look you want to achieve in the room. Try floating or cafe-style curtains that don’t quite reach the floor for a more casual look. A longer curtain style like floating is best for large spaces, rooms with large windows, or anywhere you want to introduce an airy look.
On the other hand, short curtains are ideal for small spaces or windows above a counter or piece of furniture.
Should Curtains Be Longer Than the Window
Curtains should be longer than the window as a general rule. Unless you’re using a tension rod that fits inside the window frame, you’ll want to hang your curtains slightly above the window, so you’ll need a few inches to accommodate that.
If you choose a half-cafe curtain, your curtains will also be shorter than the window. Any length beyond this will be determined by the curtain style you desire.
How To Measure Curtain Lengths
It’s great if you already have a curtain pole or track installed.
If you need to install one, measure the width of your window and add 30-40cm to that figure. This is the width of your pole or track, which will ensure that your window is comfortably covered on all sides. Fix it in the middle of your window, about 15cm above the top.
Before drilling or fitting to the wall, check for water pipes and electrical cables.
Curtain Measurement
- Decide where you want your curtains to fall before measuring the length you’ll need. Whether you’re hanging track curtains, pencil pleat curtains on a pole, or eyelet curtains, where you take your measurements matters.
- Calculate the width you require first. Measure the length of the curtain pole or track, not the window’s width, excluding any end fixtures or finials. Double this width measurement if your curtains are pencil pleat, tab top, or eyelet. Finally, add an inch or two to the width measurement to ensure that the curtains overlap correctly when closed.
Decide where you want your curtains to fall before measuring the length you’ll need. Whether you’re hanging track curtains, pencil pleat curtains on a pole, or eyelet curtains, where you take your measurements matters.
- calculating the length of your curtain
To make curtains that graze the sill, subtract 12 inches from your measurement.
These curtains hang about 15cm below the window sill.
If you want your curtains to graze the floor, subtract 12 inches from your measurement.
If you want your curtains to pool on the floor, increase the floor measurement by 15-20cm.
FAQs.
1. How much should curtains touch the floor?
Free hanging curtains should be hung 12 inches above the floor. This distance enables mopping and cleaning while giving the impression that the curtain is touching the floor. A trouser kick is a popular hem finish for silk or lined curtains.
2. Do bedroom curtains have to touch the floor?
Yes, curtains should reach the floor. The longer the curtains are, with a few exceptions, the more stylish and elegant they will appear. This is why most ready-made curtains are pretty long. However, different decorating styles employ different curtain lengths.
3. Should 84-inch window curtains touch the floor?
They certainly should! The curtain’s length determines the curtain rod’s height. Even if you buy 84-inch-long curtains, The rod must be approximately 84 inches from the floor to hang from without rings for the curtain to touch the base and avoid the awkward look.
4. How far off the floor should curtains be?
Curtains have to be just above the floor for the ideal middle ground. Measure from the floor to where you will hang the rod to get the right curtain length (usually 4 to 6 inches above the window frame).
Conclusion
Take note of the points mentioned above to help you choose the perfect curtain for the room you want to decorate and whether or not curtains should touch the floor. Curtains look fantastic when they puddle, hover, or touch the floor.
However, your home should reflect your style, so don’t follow this trend if you don’t like it. Remember to account for how high your curtain rod will be when measuring before purchasing curtains.
Also Read: Can You Use Fabuloso On Laminate Floors?