How to Hang Your Curtains Just Right
Learn key methods and measurements for fullness and stacking to get your window treatments on the right track
tidgboutique
12 October 2021
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design concierge boutique-style firm crafting timeless interiors.
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design... More
Any drapery can serve the practical purpose of blocking light and boosting privacy, but a perfectly fitted treatment also can change the apparent size of a room, hide or correct awkward windows and give your space a sharp, orderly appearance, no matter if your aesthetic is traditional or modern. To help you get your curtains just right, here are some guidelines for height, width, installation and more.
Tall and Long
Even the humblest draperies can benefit from two key rules: In almost every scenario, the best place to hang a drapery is at the ceiling line — either right at the ceiling or just below a bulkhead or molding — and stretching down to the floor.
This gives the longest possible appearance, which can make small spaces look larger and large spaces look grand.
Find an interior designer near you
Even the humblest draperies can benefit from two key rules: In almost every scenario, the best place to hang a drapery is at the ceiling line — either right at the ceiling or just below a bulkhead or molding — and stretching down to the floor.
This gives the longest possible appearance, which can make small spaces look larger and large spaces look grand.
Find an interior designer near you
Whether the window is high or low, big or small, or even an odd shape, two simple floor-to-ceiling panels flanking it will clean up the look perfectly — especially when shut.
Shop for window treatments on Houzz
Shop for window treatments on Houzz
Having the curtains hit just at the floor (or about one-quarter inch above) is the most common contemporary look, but you can get a charming, romantic effect by letting them pool slightly on the floor.
In this case, let about 1 to 2 inches of material hit the floor to create a bit of buckling. Just be sure to keep the floor free of debris so that your curtains don’t turn into a dust broom.
In this case, let about 1 to 2 inches of material hit the floor to create a bit of buckling. Just be sure to keep the floor free of debris so that your curtains don’t turn into a dust broom.
Straight Across
Using pairs of panels on one long curtain rod or track is usually the most polished option, even for complex sets of windows, such as a bay window, or a wall with windows and patio doors.
Using pairs of panels on one long curtain rod or track is usually the most polished option, even for complex sets of windows, such as a bay window, or a wall with windows and patio doors.
Here, each door has its own set of curtains so that they’re independently accessible, but they’re hung straight across from one continuous curtain rod, which keeps the look organized.
Wall to Wall
Another no-brainer approach is to simply curtain an area wall to wall. This helps erase any oddly placed windows and creates a clean plane, making for a beautiful backdrop to other design elements.
Another no-brainer approach is to simply curtain an area wall to wall. This helps erase any oddly placed windows and creates a clean plane, making for a beautiful backdrop to other design elements.
In general, breezy off-white sheer curtains are a great way to cover any size, shape or number of windows, letting light filter in without weighing down the room.
Read more about how to use sheer curtains
Read more about how to use sheer curtains
However, solid curtains also can look fantastic wall to wall, especially if you layer furniture in front of them. You can even layer art or a mirror on them for added interest by including a slit in the curtain to allow a point of attachment back to the wall.
Keep in mind that if you choose a dark color for wall-to-wall drapes, you’ll want to balance them with a dark object on the opposite side of the room. When in doubt, a light or midtone material will appear less heavy.
Keep in mind that if you choose a dark color for wall-to-wall drapes, you’ll want to balance them with a dark object on the opposite side of the room. When in doubt, a light or midtone material will appear less heavy.
Fullness and Stacking
It’s important to remember that the literal width of a set of curtain panels shouldn’t simply equal the width of the curtain rod. This is for two important reasons: fullness and stacking.
Fullness refers to the fabric width needed to give the curtains a pleasant, natural wave (rather than trying to have them stretch tautly and awkwardly across a wall when closed).
Typical fullness for curtain width is 2½ times the rod width. Tripling the rod width is a more luxurious option, especially for thinner, flexible fabrics like sheers.
It’s important to remember that the literal width of a set of curtain panels shouldn’t simply equal the width of the curtain rod. This is for two important reasons: fullness and stacking.
Fullness refers to the fabric width needed to give the curtains a pleasant, natural wave (rather than trying to have them stretch tautly and awkwardly across a wall when closed).
Typical fullness for curtain width is 2½ times the rod width. Tripling the rod width is a more luxurious option, especially for thinner, flexible fabrics like sheers.
Stacking refers to the bunching up of curtains as they’re drawn open — all that folded fabric can squeeze together only so tightly and will still take up significant space on the rod when the curtains are open. This means that if you want a curtain to open fully and uncover a window completely, the rod or track will need extra length at the end to allow the curtain to “stack” out of the way of the window.
The exact stacking space required will vary greatly with material thickness and flexibility, so it’s best to consult an expert. However, as a general rule, a light, unlined curtain will require 10% to 15% of the panel width to stack, while a heavier, lined drape will need 20% to 25%.
Therefore, if you want your drape to open wide enough to reveal the whole window, the rod or track should be this percentage wider than the window itself.
Therefore, if you want your drape to open wide enough to reveal the whole window, the rod or track should be this percentage wider than the window itself.
In situations where a lot of stacking space simply isn’t available, such as with adjacent windows like these, you may want to stick to lighter, breezier fabrics that won’t bunch up too much.
Alternatively, you can choose a rich fabric (with great light-blocking abilities) and simply accept that the curtains won’t draw open completely. This full look can be quite stylish, and as long as the window or door is still operable when necessary, that’s all you really need.
A Note on Stacking
Besides taking up space, the stacking of patterned curtains can dramatically change their look from how they appear when drawn shut. When selecting a fabric, try to get your hands on a sizable sample so that you can see how the material looks folded. This will give you a much more accurate idea of how the curtains will look installed.
Notice how the curtain in this room goes from looking like a series of circles when shut to looking like perfect stripes when stacked. This can be quite a surprising change.
Besides taking up space, the stacking of patterned curtains can dramatically change their look from how they appear when drawn shut. When selecting a fabric, try to get your hands on a sizable sample so that you can see how the material looks folded. This will give you a much more accurate idea of how the curtains will look installed.
Notice how the curtain in this room goes from looking like a series of circles when shut to looking like perfect stripes when stacked. This can be quite a surprising change.
In-Window Shades
Another smart option for tight spaces is to use an in-window shade, rather than hanging a curtain. This can look sharply modern in a solid color or more romantic and traditional in a charming pattern.
Either way, a shade that sits inside the window frame won’t need any extra stacking space at the sides. Instead, it will need to stack at the top, so again, a thinner fabric will ensure that you can reveal as much of the window as possible when the shade is up.
More on Houzz
How to Choose the Right Curtains
Read more decorating guides
Find home professionals
Shop for home products
Another smart option for tight spaces is to use an in-window shade, rather than hanging a curtain. This can look sharply modern in a solid color or more romantic and traditional in a charming pattern.
Either way, a shade that sits inside the window frame won’t need any extra stacking space at the sides. Instead, it will need to stack at the top, so again, a thinner fabric will ensure that you can reveal as much of the window as possible when the shade is up.
More on Houzz
How to Choose the Right Curtains
Read more decorating guides
Find home professionals
Shop for home products
Related Stories
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Midcentury Home With a Strong Indoor-outdoor Link
By Becky Harris
A nature-inspired renovation has given this ranch house a relaxed mood and a connection to the outdoors from most rooms
Full Story
Kitchens
10 Smart Storage Tips for Your Kitchen Bins
Keep kitchen rubbish stylishly tucked away with these clever solutions
Full Story
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Laundry Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your laundry or utility room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
Gardens
How Do I Create a Drought-tolerant Garden?
By Kate Burt
As summers heat up, plants that need less water are increasingly desirable. Luckily, there are lots of beautiful options
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Warm Tones and Luxurious Surfaces in a City Townhouse
An earthy colour palette, hidden storage and well-placed texture add character and practicality to this London home
Full Story
Gardens
5 Inspiring Before and After Garden Transformations
Check out what a difference designers have made to these once dull plots, visually expanding spaces and creating privacy
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Kitchen Tour: A Gorgeous Extension With a Leafy Glasshouse Feel
By Kate Burt
When the owners of this terraced house extended, they were keen to retain its period feel and highlight the garden
Full Story
Gardens
How to Disguise Rubbish and Recycling Bins Outside Your Home
Need to hide unsightly bins in your garden or driveway? Take a look at these clever ideas for inspiration
Full Story
Renovating
21 Ways Designers Are Incorporating Arches Into Homes
By Kate Burt
Everywhere we look on Houzz right now, a cheeky arch pops up. How would you add this timeless architectural feature?
Full Story
Lifestyle
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Re : Louise Dipple - Crittall Windows.
I don't think there's much you could do aside from net curtains. The windows make such a dominant statement that you should allow them to continue to dominate, night and day.
Thanks David. Really not a lover of nets and seeing other similar windows in the neighbourhood, they tend to sit so close to the window pane they just don’t hang well at all.. it’s all to do with the curved glass/ curved wall and trying to match curtains to the curve of the window. IKEA do a curtain pole that bends into the correct shape but in fixing it means that the curtains can’t get round the bend because of the brackets. Have resorted to two Roman blinds for now.
I love curtains hung from ceiling, but we heat our ho e with electric, so the curtains cannot go over heaters.