How to Correctly Hang CurtainsHow High to Hang Curtains (The Designer’s Guide to Getting It Right)

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One of the most common decorating mistakes I see? Curtains hung too low, too short, or too narrow. The good news: once you know a few simple rules, you’ll never second-guess curtain height again. Hanging your curtains high and wide not only makes your windows look bigger, but it also makes your entire room feel taller and more polished.

Quick Answer (for the skimmers)

• Mistake to avoid: Never hang your rod just an inch or two above the trim – it makes ceilings feel shorter and windows look squat.
• Height: Hang your rod about 6–10 inches above the window frame, or halfway to two-thirds of the way between the frame and ceiling.
• Width: Extend your rod 6–12 inches beyond each side of the window frame so panels don’t block light.
• Length: Curtains should just kiss the floor, skim it by ½″, or puddle slightly for a relaxed look.

How High to Hang Curtains

The rule of thirds

• Measure the distance from the top of your window frame to the ceiling (or crown molding).
• Place the rod about halfway to two-thirds of the way up that wall space.

General guidelines:

• Standard ceilings (8′): Hang rod 6–8″ above the trim.
• Tall ceilings (9′+): Hang rod 8–10″ above the trim, or just below crown molding.
• Low ceilings: Mount rod as close to the ceiling as possible to visually stretch the room.
• Crown molding present: Leave 1–2″ of breathing room below the molding and mount there.

Pro tip: If you’re between lengths (say 96″ panels will be too short but 108″ too long), err longer. You can hem curtains, but you can’t make them longer.

Curtain Length: Where Should They Fall?

The bottom of your curtains is just as important as the top:

• Modern & polished: Just kiss the floor.
• Classic & practical: Hover ½″ above the floor.
• Relaxed & romantic: Pool 2–6″ on the floor.

Avoid “high-water” curtains (several inches above the floor). They instantly make the room look unfinished.

Curtain Width: How Wide to Hang Curtains

Your rod should extend beyond the window frame so curtains don’t block light when open.

• Extend rod 6–12 inches past the trim on each side.
• Choose curtain panels that are 1.5–2.5x the width of the window (combined).
• Fuller = more luxurious (2–2.5x), but make sure you have wall space to stack the panels back.

Real-World Situations

• Small rooms with low ceilings: Mount rod just under ceiling line, leaving at least 2 inches of breathing space. choose light fabrics, and avoid heavy pooling.
• Large rooms with tall ceilings: Don’t be afraid to go dramatically high and choose extra-long panels.
• Bay windows: Use corner connectors or custom rods to keep the line continuous.
• Budget tip: Sometimes the exact “designer height” won’t work with standard curtain lengths. It’s okay to adjust rod height slightly so you can use off-the-shelf panels instead of going custom.

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Hanging too low. Rods mounted just above the frame make ceilings look shorter.
2. Curtains too short. Anything that stops several inches above the floor looks accidental.
3. Rods not wide enough. If the panels block too much glass when they’re open, your windows look smaller.

How to Measure for Curtains

1. Measure from floor up to where you’ll mount the rod (it’s easiest to measure when the rod is already mounted).
2. Round up to the closest panel size (standard lengths are usually 84″, 96″, 108″).
3. Account for how you’ll hang them (rings, tabs, grommets). Rings, for example, usually add about 1–2″ of drop.

Always steam curtains before hemming – fabrics can shrink and affect length.

Final Thoughts

If you only remember one thing, it’s this: hang curtains high and wide. It makes your ceilings feel taller, your windows look larger, and your whole room more polished. Don’t stress about getting it “perfect”—use these guidelines, work with your ceiling height and standard lengths, and your curtains will look like they were designer-installed.