Have you ever wondered: 'should curtains touch the floor?' While the style and fabric should be chosen with care, the way you hang your curtains ultimately determines how the room will look. More often than not, curtains just about touch the floor, but sometimes the ones that pool on the floor can also create a different vibe.
So, which style of hanging curtains is best and what is the perfect drape length for your modern window treatment? Let's find out what designers think.
Should curtains touch the floor?
In a sense, yes. As experts believe, curtains should lightly touch the floor.
'I'd say they should just kiss the floor,' says Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs. 'There should be just a little space between the floor and the fabric, perhaps 1/8" to 1/4" max. This way it gives the drapery space to move and breathe as depending on the material it can stretch over time. But, you also don't want it to look too short like something was done incorrectly.'
'This look is the cleanest and accentuates the height of a room,' says Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors. 'While puddling curtains are whimsical and fun, they're not the most practical, especially with pets and children.'
Also, be careful about what type of look the curtain will create in the space. There's a fine line between curtains touching the floor and a gap that makes your floor-length curtains look like you've ordered them too short — the peddle pushers of the window treatment world.
What is the ideal length of curtains from the floor?
Whether it's your bedroom or living room curtains, it's best to have a standard length for all the drapes in the room.
'The ideal length is from floor to ceiling, if possible, with at least a 1/8" to 1/4" max spacing from the floor to the bottom of the drapery,' says Lauren. 'This helps with the fabric as it can stretch over time.'
If you aren't purchasing pre-ordered curtains and are hemming them yourself, there may be a small margin for error when measuring for curtains. 'However, if they arrive and they're a little off from what you were hoping, there's always the option to hang your curtain rod a little higher,' says interior designer Becky Shea.
Are puddling curtains out of style?
Puddling curtains have a whimsical feel, and if it's a casual vibe you want to create for your bedroom curtains then go ahead with this style.
'Puddling curtains are a very specific look and if you're ok with the maintenance of them then they can elevate certain spaces,' says Lauren. 'However, I am not a huge fan of them for homes where you have pets and kids. They can get dirty very quickly and stain at the bottoms.'
If you want a puddle but with a more practical approach, then make sure they just touch the floor — this makes them the perfect length for blocking out light and drafts. Consider lighter fabrics to create these. Larger puddles aren't on trend right now.
Does your choice of textile make a difference?
Along with knowing how to hang curtains, when you're dealing with such fine margins of measurements, it pays to know how different fabrics react as well. 'Linen, for example will always move and shrink, growing with the seasons,' says interior designer Lisa Staton.
When using natural fibers like cotton, silk or wool, they're also prone to stretch once hung which may change your gap over time, especially with heavier materials. In this instance, a broken puddle on the floor will help relieve some of the weight on your curtains, too.
Where should curtains hit the ground?
When installing the curtain, you want the fabric to just lightly touch the floor or hover 1/2 inch above. This way, they look more stylish, give the room height and make the space seem more luxurious.
Can you hang curtains too high?
Ideally, the best height to hang curtains is just below the crown (the area where the walls and ceiling meet) – while still maintaining a relationship with the window. Of course, in the case of a double or triple-height room, don't take the drapery to the crown.
Is it okay if curtains don't touch the floor at all?
Curtains that hang slightly above the ground can work fine but the length shouldn't be too short that the room looks awkward. Very short curtains can make the room feel smaller. Ideally, curtains should touch the floor, either by kissing the floor or floating just above it.
