The Dilemma of Curtain Length
A pretty room with poorly hung curtains is like a beautiful pulled-together lady wearing way too-small pants. It cheapens everything else, stands out in a jarring way, and just makes everyone feel uncomfortable. As a curtain aficionado, I’ve seen my fair share of these tragic mishaps.
But alas, I’m on a mission to combat the problem, guiding fellow homeowners and disgruntled curtains alike towards curtain enlightenment. After all, what’s the point of investing in gorgeous window treatments if they’re not hung to perfection?
The Sill Debate
One of the biggest mistakes people make is hanging their curtain rods too low, just slightly above the window frame. Why, you ask? Well, often it’s because they bought the wrong length of curtain and are forced to hang them lower to avoid the dreaded “too-short curtain” look.
But let me tell you, that’s not the move. Ideally, you want your curtain rod to be 12-23 inches above the window frame. This helps your ceilings look higher and your space feel more open and airy. It’s not just the better way to hang your curtains – it’s the standard we as a collective have come to expect.
The Floor Length Challenge
Now, the most common curtain mistake is just painful to look at – the too-short curtain. It does exactly what pants that are too short do – it cuts off your room’s leg in a really jarring way, making it look and feel stubby and awkward.
But fear not, there are three other options to avoid this fashion faux pas:
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The Slight Float: Less than an inch above the floor. If you want a super sleek, straight-hanging look, this is the way to go.
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The Kiss: Barely touching the floor. This is the hardest to pull off, as you need to measure super accurately, but it looks the most custom and intentional.
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The Puddle: Where the curtains do just that – puddle all over the floor. This is best for you romantics out there or for those looking for a more feminine, old-world European feel. Just make sure your fabric is thick and luxurious, like washed linen or velvet.
Finding the Right Length
The truth is, very few houses only need 84-inch curtains. It’s like the housing and curtain industries had a drunken lunch and decided to manufacture curtains around 84 inches high, assuming we’d all buy into it and become millionaires. But 84 inches is almost always not long enough.
Annoyingly, 95 inches can often be too long if you have 8-foot ceilings, but it’s better to buy the 95s and have them hemmed to around 90 inches (which is what we usually do in that case) than to go for the 84s.
Curtain Roundup
Okay, enough talk – let’s get to the good stuff. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite ready-made long curtain options to satisfy all your window treatment needs:
Ivory Embroidered Adara Sleeve Top Curtains Set Of 2
Natural Tan Basketweave Panel
Priya Tab Top Light Filtering Window Curtain Panel
And for those of you with a bigger budget, here are some high-end options:
2 Pack Velvet Curtain Panels
Thea Print Linen/Cotton Rod Pocket Curtain
2 Pack Blackout Curtains
The key is to buy enough panels to adequately cover your windows, even if that means investing in four panels instead of two. Trust me, the extra width and fullness will make all the difference.
Curtain Rods: The Unsung Heroes
Now, let’s talk about the unsung heroes of window treatments – curtain rods. When in doubt, go simple with white, black, brass, or silver. Stay away from crazy, curly wrought iron stuff unless you live in a Scottish castle or an old Hollywood home. And fancy finials are only your friend if the style of your house can handle it.
The Bigger Picture
As you can probably tell, I’m pretty passionate about getting window treatments right. After all, a pretty room with poorly hung curtains is like a beautiful woman wearing too-small pants – it just makes everyone uncomfortable.
So whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a curtain newbie, I hope this guide has given you the confidence and know-how to transform your space with the perfect window treatments. And remember, when it comes to Home Curtains Philadelphia, we’ve got your back. Happy decorating!
