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12 Expert Tips on How High to Hang Curtains

person hanging curtains

Adding some fabric curtains to a room can add warmth to the space, bring color to the room, or make a window look bigger. Each year, the styles are updated, and the décor rules change. One of those rules is where to place the curtain rod.

Here we have 12 expert tips on how high to hang your curtains so they look attractive and stylish.

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Hanging Curtains for a 9-Foot Ceiling

For 9-foot ceilings, follow these tips:

  • 1. Typically, the rod for curtains in a room with 9-foot ceilings should be placed one foot below the ceiling.
  • 2. To create a stylish look in the room, the panels should measure 96 inches. This length will cover the window and wall from the floor to the curtain rod.
  • 3. Rooms with ceilings that are 9 feet high have more versatility than the ones with 8×10-foot ceilings. So, you also have the option of hanging your panels anywhere from six inches above the frame to just below the ceiling. The panel measurements will need to be adjusted, however.
light airy bedroom with white curtains
Image By: M&W Studios, Pexels

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Hanging Curtains for a 10-Foot Ceiling

Hanging curtains in a room with 10-foot ceilings may have its challenges. If you have 10-foot ceilings and want to hang your curtains properly, have a look at these tips:

  • 4. In some instances, there may be a lack of space between the window and the ceiling, so you cannot hang the rod. Your options in this situation are to hang the curtains from the ceiling or place the rod as close to it as possible.
  • 5. However, there are times in rooms with ceilings of this height when the window is smaller than usual or placed lower on the wall. There may be a lot of space between the window and ceiling, creating an unattractive look in the room.
floor to ceiling curtains in living room with leather sofa
Image By: Khánh Trung Lê, Unsplash

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Hanging Curtains for a 12-Foot Ceiling

To create the perfect look in a room with 12-foot ceilings, here are some considerations:

  • 6. You should place your rod for the curtains to be at an attractive height, not too low and not too high.
  • 7. The panels should be at least one foot from the ceiling so they cover the wall and window from one foot below the ceiling to the floor.
  • 8. To allow for the length between the ceiling and the floor, the curtains should measure 132 inches.
  • 9. If the curtain panels do not reach the floor, they should come close in order to achieve the best look for the room.
stylish living room with high ceiling
Image Credit: Max Vakhtbovych, Pexels

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How High to Hang Curtains to Make the Window Look Larger

  • 10. You can achieve the look of a larger room with bigger windows by hanging curtain panels. The height of the curtains can make the window look bigger and affect other things in the room, such as brightness, texture, and color in a room.
  • 11. Hanging your curtains four to six inches above your window frame is the best height for curtains. Of course, the higher they are, the bigger the appearance of the window and the room.
  • 12. In some instances, hanging your drapes higher than 8 inches above the window frame can create a cluttered look. This is especially true if there are other exposed windows in the room.
white curtains on a cabin window
Image Credit: Petter Rudwall, Unsplash

divider 4 Should Curtains Touch the Floor?

Although décor trends dictate that curtains should touch the floor, some of you may find this length to be cumbersome and hang them an inch above the floor. For a luxurious look, some of you may deviate and intentionally puddle your drapes on the floor.

Luckily, there is no rule that is set in stone on how high to hang curtains, but if you choose to stay on trend, the rule is that your curtains should touch the floor. These are the exceptions, however.

  • Kitchen Curtains: When your curtains are hung on a window above a counter, the panels are unable to go to the floor.
  • Bathroom Curtains: Hanging curtains on the floor in the bathroom might be unsanitary
  • Inconvenience: There may be some windows in your home that do not need or would be unattractive or inconvenient with curtains.

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Conclusion

There it is in a nutshell! It’s your home, and you can hang your curtains however you choose. Hanging your drapes can have a negative or positive impact on the overall appearance of your home, however. So, if you want your home to look stylish and follow the latest trends, your curtains should go to the floor.


Featured Image Credit: Tiko Aramyan, Shutterstock

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