The length of the curtain is important. Ideally, curtains should be long enough to cover the entire length of the window. They can also be longer than the window if you want to make your room taller or if you want the room to appear bigger.
In general, ready-made curtains come in five standard lengths.
Here are the lengths that curtains usually come in:
Ready-made curtains normally come in 5 standard sizes: 63 inches, 84 inches, 94 inches, 108 inches, and 120 inches. Most curtain shops carry these lengths. Some curtains shops also have more options for lengths. There are also curtain shops that offer curtains in customized lengths.
Table of Contents
How Long Should Your Curtains Be?
The length of curtains is very important when it comes to interior design. This is because the length can impact both the look and the functionality of the curtains.
The curtains should be of the right length to prevent any amount of light from entering through gaps at the bottom.
Having curtains of the light length is also necessary to provide enough privacy. They should also be at the right length for them to drape nicely.
How long your curtains should depend on the look that you want for your room.
Ideally, curtains should be at least two inches below the window frame. This gives a classy look to your window drapes.
It gives a tailored look to the windows, that appear as if the curtains are custom-made for your windows. Plus this length gives enough coverage to the room so that no light that enters from the bottom of the curtains.
Anything longer than this length is completely fine.
If you want your room to look bigger and taller, you can choose to have floor-length curtains or floor-to-ceiling curtains.
Should Curtains Extend Below the Window?
Curtains are made to block light and provide privacy. With these functionalities in mind, curtains should extend below the window.
Having the curtains covering just until the bottom of the window can still let in some light.
There can still be tiny gaps at the bottom that can let a small amount of light in, which is not good especially if you want to have a blackout effect in the room.
In general, curtains should extend for at least 2 inches below the window to ensure full coverage.
However, there are still curtains that do not extend below the window. There are even some curtains that are shorter than the window.
These curtains are mainly for style preference.
One popular curtain length that does not reach the bottom of the window is the sill length. Curtains with this length fall roughly half an inch above the window sill. Some are even shorter.
These are the shortest standard curtain length.
They take up less space so the room tends to look less stuffy. They are great for small windows or for windows above kitchen counters. They are also good for bathroom windows.
What are the Standard Curtain Lengths for Windows?
For windows, there are a few standard curtain lengths. Here they are and what they are commonly used for.
Sill Length
Curtains with this length fall about half an inch above the window sill.
This length is the shortest standard length for window curtains.
They have a casual and charming look, and they take up less space compared to other curtain lengths. They are normally used in rooms with small windows that need a good amount of lighting.
They are great for small windows, like bathroom windows, and for windows above the kitchen counter.
Apron Length
This length has curtains falling at least an inch below the bottom of the window frame.
These curtains used to be very popular because of their practicality.
At this length, curtains do not gather dust and dirt from the floor and they are easy to open and close. They are great for windows with radiators beneath them or for windows with furniture close to them.
Floor Length
Floor-length curtains fall roughly half an inch above the floor.
Curtains in this length are stylish and they make a room look taller because they give windows an elongated look.
Since these curtains do not touch the floor, they hang straight and fall quite nicely. Plus, the hem does not pick up dust and dirt from the floor.
These curtains are commonly used in living rooms and family rooms, but they can look good in any room around the house.
Trouser Length
Curtains with this length fall two inches more than their length to the floor. These curtains look stylish and sophisticated.
This length is good for curtains with thicker fabrics.
This curtain length is good for formal dining rooms and bedrooms, or any room with not a lot of foot traffic.
Puddle Length
These curtains have six to ten inches more than their length to the floor. These curtains “puddle” on the floor, thus its name.
These curtains create a dramatic and luxurious effect in a room, but they are not the best option if you want curtains that you can easily open and close. Plus these curtains tend to gather a lot of dust, dirt, and pet hair.
These curtains are great for bedrooms or any room with very low traffic.
What are the Standard Curtain Lengths for Glass Doors?
Curtains can also be used for glass doors. They are great for when you still want some privacy in a room with glass doors.
The standard curtain length for glass doors should be roughly an inch off the floor. These curtains can also be long enough to touch or “kiss” the floor, but curtains should only reach the floor. They should also not puddle.
Curtains for glass doors should be just the right length so that you can easily open and close them, while still giving you a good amount of privacy.
Here is how to get the length of curtains for glass doors:
- Measure the length of the door. This will be the base length.
- Measure the distance from the door frame to the curtain rod, and then add the base length.
- The resulting number will be the right curtain length for your glass door.
Can Curtains Cover Only Half the Window?
While curtains are made to cover the entire window so that it blocks all light from entering, there are some curtains that cover only half the window.
Half window curtains are considered non-traditional, but some people use these curtains for aesthetics and out of preference.
These curtains cover either only the top half or the bottom half.
These curtains are great for rooms where people normally need a good amount of light. They are commonly used on windows above kitchen counters. They are also good for bathroom windows.
Curtains that cover only half of the windows are also common in cafes.
Some people call them cafe curtains. They add some charm to the space while letting natural light in.
Should Curtains “Puddle” on the Floor?
Curtains that puddle on the floor are becoming popular because they can make a room look more stylish and elegant. They add a luxurious feel to the room, and they can even make the room look taller.
While curtains that puddle on the floor look good, they are not a necessity. These curtains are mainly used out of preference and for styling.
The downside to these curtains is that they get dirty very easily. They tend to gather dust, dirt, and pet hairs off the floor.
These curtains can also be more difficult to clean and maintain since they use up a lot of fabric.
The curtain length has a lot of impact on the overall look of your room.
To get the right curtain length, you should not only measure the windows. You should also measure the distance between the top of the window frame and the curtain rod.
And finally, you should measure how much your curtains should fall beneath the window.
Once you get the right measurements, then it will be easier for you to choose curtains that fit your style and with the appropriate length.
Sources:
How to Choose the Right Curtain Length for Your Specific Windows
Choosing Living Room Curtain Lengths: 5 Curtain Lengths And When To Choose Them