Is there a “right” option for curtain lengths? That depends on who you ask, and often just asking the question can leave you more confused than you were before. The long and short of it is (no pun intended): it’s up to you. But we’re here to help as you answer the question, “How long should curtains be?” We’ll be taking a critical look at curtain lengths, tall and small. What side are you on?
Let’s start with what’s probably the most common of the curtain lengths: to the floor. This is the standard length for hanging curtains – either hitting the floor exactly or hovering a half inch off the ground. Sheer white curtains hung like the ones above (from Little Green Notebook) and the ones below (via A Cup of Jo) are both modern and classic. The curtain lengths make the ceilings seem taller and the room more polished, maybe even a bit formal.
Cons to floor length? They may make your room look too formal for your liking. Dust will inevitably collect around the bottoms. Also, children may be more likely to grab them and use them as a climbing rope. If you’re asking yourself, “Should curtains go to the floor?,” and kids, pets, and dust aren’t a concern, then floor length is probably your best bet.
You may have heard that hanging your curtains from the ceiling will make your living space appear taller. But how? Visually, your eye tends to follow lines. Whether it’s the double yellow line on the highway, or the walkway to your front door, your eye is drawn towards (and up) pathways. By hanging your curtains from the highest point on the wall, your eye travels up the line, causing you to notice that there is height in the space you are standing in.
If your living space has high ceilings already, compliment them with tall curtain lengths. Floor-to-ceiling curtains can also help to divide space, whether you’re tucking away a window seat (like the floor-to-ceiling curtains via Lonny) or cutting a whole room in half. Heads up: The worst thing you can do when hanging curtains from the ceiling is to hang them too short. The heightening trick-of-the-eye doesn’t work well if the curtain line abruptly cuts off before it hits the ground.
Then there’s the other end of the curtain lengths spectrum: short curtains. Visually speaking, high-water style is not the most appealing way to hang curtains. The shorter length can appear dated. Also, it can cut the visual height of your room in half. From a purely practical standpoint, however, short curtains are sometimes the best option. In the home, it seems like many parents choose shorter curtains for kids’ rooms, probably to avoid the whole Tarzan situation, or just to limit sticky fingers from touching the window treatments. You may also be forced to hang short curtains by the presence of heat-producing radiators or heaters.
If you hang short curtains, aim to hit a perpendicular mark on the wall. For instance, the curtain lengths should meet at the top of the baseboard, or the bottom of the windowsill.
Café curtains are fairly common where there’s a window sill over, say, a sink in a kitchen. Or, in their namesake, cafés, where you wouldn’t want curtains dragging the floor of such a busy, public place.
Café curtains are hung usually at the halfway point of a window, or on the bottom pane of a two-part window. They’re great for when you need a bit of privacy (like in this bathroom pictured above), but don’t necessarily want to block out all the natural light coming through the window. Because café curtains are short and cute, they can give a room a more casual vibe.
We’ve discussed short curtains, and curtains that hit the floor perfectly. What curtain lengths are left? Long curtains. The more billowy a curtain becomes as it breaks at the floor, the more dramatic it will look. A simple “kiss” to the ground, like the curtains pictured above (via Amber Interiors), adds a touch of flair to this otherwise simple window treatment. This option is similar in style to floor length, but will require more care – dust bunnies like to live in the folds of the billowing curtains!
Source: Blinds.com
Last, there’s the most extreme curtain length: puddled. This is a typical French look (think the Rococo period), and is most successful with high ceilings and, usually, expensive fabric. Typically silks are going to billow the best, being both lightweight and a natural fiber.
Obviously, this look adds a lot of glam to even the simplest decor. But, you really need to have the right architecture to pull it off.
So, how long should curtains be?
The answer is up to you, your style, and your needs. Hopefully this primer on curtain lengths will help you pick the best window trimmings for your home!
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So, what are the best curtain lengths for your space? Are you Team Shortie? Puddler? Somewhere in between? Leave us a comment and let us know!
These three modern home interiors are each inspired by fresh Scandinavian style decor elements, whilst exuding elegant Asian distinction. An en vogue, graceful archway motif unites the aesthetics of the Japandi apartment interiors, along with a warm natural wood tone and crisp white colour palette. Visualised by Elemental Design, this group of inspirational homes are designed as contemporary family units with functional open plan living spaces. Practical storage ideas make use of small hallways and home entryways, bedrooms are multifunctional with dressing areas and home workspaces. The kids’ rooms are cute, colourful and compact, with fun ideas for kids’ closets, built-in bookcases, bespoke bed designs, kids’ desks and adorable decor.
A warm tan accent thread weaves through the first of our three featured interior designs, which perfectly complements natural wood tone elements within the scheme. A colour coordinated version of a Leon: The Professional print balances out a recessed shelving niche. The modern sofa has a tan ottoman section, whilst Around coffee tables designed by Thomas Bentzen for Muuto keep things purely monochrome against a geometric patterned Scandinavian rug.
On trend arches and racetrack shaped motifs round out the crisp contemporary interior. A unique modern chandelier drops frosted orbs above the lounge.
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A Scandi style TV stand combines smooth wood grain and clean white aesthetics, whilst an Asian altar shelf is given main focus high above the TV screen. An attractive wood lined archway leads through to the two bedrooms.
Racetrack shaped screens are combined with a sideboard to build a unique and useful storage filled room divider between the dining area and the door that leads into the bathroom.
A rectangle dining table is placed up against the back of the elegant room divider. A grey ceramic vase of foliage creates a relaxed table centrepiece.
A wine storage cabinet and black retro style fridge-freezer bring refreshments and ice right up to the dining spot.
The small kitchen runs off the other side of the fridge-freezer location. Wooden base cabinets instill a natural warmth into the predominantly white decor scheme, whilst white wall cabinets increase the sense of space up top.
Inside the compact master bedroom, an upholstered bed and woven rug lay down grey accents. A wood effect panel crosses the white painted headboard wall to connect the bed with a floating dressing table. A round vanity mirror bridges the two-tone effect.
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Built-in white wardrobes achieve a clean, minimalist finish at the foot of the bed.
Green accents colour the cute kids’ room. A bespoke green headboard design encompasses the arched decor motif, where an Aballs pendant designed by Jaime Hayon for Parachilna illuminates the bedside unit.
Made-to-measure kid’s closets combine white & wood finishes and tactile ribbed texture.
A Scandi desk stands by the bespoke kids’ bed design, which encompases a wall of toy storage and bookshelves upon its elongated base. A mountain motif cuts a creative green accent across the cupboard doors.
Our second featured interior design is a modern cottage apartment. An arc floor lamp complements chic arched wall moulding behind the low, modern Japanese style sofa.
The wall mounted TV stand has a taste of both modern and traditional aesthetics, with its natural wood finish and screened door inserts. A buddhist altar shelf floats above the split two-colour wall treatment. A beautiful ceiling fan takes the rich wooden accent to the ceiling. See more unique ceiling fans here.
A prominent black marble coffee table emphasises the delicate nature of the white and beige woven area rug. A second coffee table nests a complementary wooden counterpart.
An assortment of scatter pillows create a mixed tonal arrangement across the white upholstered couch.
A low, Asian style accent chair completes the compact lounge layout.
Between the lounge and dining areas, a wood framed archway leads openly into the connected kitchen.
A light-permeable screen room divider sections off the home entry door to create a functional family entryway. The combination of natural wood and rattan finishes fashion a warm and welcoming nook.
The kitchen is a generously proportioned space that allows the whole family to gather in meal prep activities and at the dining peninsula. See more inspiration for white and wood kitchens.
As we enter into the master bedroom of this home, we’re greeted with a wonderfully airy and light decor aesthetic of pure white walls and solid oak furniture. An oak floating tv stand complements the bed base and a matching makeup table by the window.
The platform bed’s custom-made headboard extends seamlessly across the back of the makeup table to create cohesivity. A round mirror delicately serves the vanity area, whilst a Matisse art print adds a bold back accent above the bed.
A mini bedroom pendant light illuminates a turned wood bedside table. Custom wardrobes and an Eames walnut stool designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller make up an elegant dressing area.
A clear glass vase brings an enlivening flash of natural greenery to the bedroom TV wall.
Cute kids’ wall decor pours positive energy above a built-in bed design and a wall mounted kid’s desk.
The small floating desk is aligned with an arched bookcase niche within the run of wardrobes, where school books can be stashed close to hand. A stripe of wood continues the desktop finish across the white closets.
Arch shaped cubbies make adorable perches for special soft toys, treasured items and extra books. See more inspiration for how to incorporate elegant arches in interiors.
The home office houses double workspaces, which are blessed with natural light from tall twin windows.
Built-in units stow away office supplies and large household items, whilst unique bookshelves display decorative pieces.
The final home tour in this series begins in a super small but stylish living room with a space-saving armless sofa design. The striking black swing arm wall lamp above it is the 1-Arm Rotating Sconce designed by Serge Mouille.
3D wall art creates subtle arches above the couch. A set of round nesting coffee tables complement the curves, whilst a geometric print rug brings sharp contrast.
Over by the TV stand, a round ottoman provides additional, moveable lounge seating, or an occasional footstool. Black and white plaid throws create cosy accents.
H&M styledecorative vases add the curved aesthetic to the dining table, which is positioned up against the kitchen island in the compact open concept. Asian inspired dining chairs bring curved wooden frames to the set.
Above the smart dining set, a paper globe pendant light casually spans the Asian and Scandi aesthetics.
A black, white and wood kitchen design melds tranquilly with the serene living room decor.
Black and white floor tiles define the kitchen area from the rest of the living space.
A racetrack shaped niche nestles between two architectural arches.
One of the arches visually separates the living space from the small home entryway, where custom closets make use of every inch of vertical and horizontal wall space.
More units, a shoe storage shelf and an entryway bench fill the other side of the foyer area. Decorative vases add an artistic touch.
Inside the double bedroom, a geometric bed set and perfectly matching rug create a fresh modern statement.
A black wall sconce swings between providing reading light over the bed and task lighting to the desk. Above the workspace, a set of floating shelves hold books and decorative items.
More books tuck beneath a built-in window seat.
A throw pillow draws geometric print onto a stylish bedroom chair. An archway separates off the bedroom dressing area, and creates an attractive bedroom entryway.
A dressing table is set into the white wardrobes, with contrasting wooden backing. A unique mirror arches inside of the custom piece.
Pistachio green accents energise the pastel kids’ room. Cute bear wall art adds a friendly companion above a unique tonal green and wood plank headboard design. The plank panelling continues across the full width of the room, stopping behind a kids’ desk with storage shelves in the base. A green accent corner encompasses a tower of wall shelves.
Another green accented bookcase is set into the end of the kid’s wardrobe, which is connected onto the end of a bespoke platform bed with storage drawers.
