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What Curtain Length Do I Need

When you buy curtains, you’re focused on choosing the right color and fabric. That in itself can be an overwhelming decision, but then you find yourself wondering, “What curtain length do I need?” The standard length for ready-made curtains is 96”, but at Advanced Window Fashions, we aren’t in the business of standard. Custom-created window coverings can be any length you want, but we can offer some suggestions to point you in the right direction in regards to which length would be perfect for your space.

A yellow tape measure and drafting pencil lays across several neurtral curtain fabric samples

Basic Curtain Length

Floor length is the most seen curtain length in homes. These curtains either brush the floor or hover about ½” above it. Floor length curtains can make the room’s ceiling look higher and give the space a more polished look. Your curtains can also be hung above the frame and break at the floor. This will make your room appear more spacious as eyes follow lines upward. If you’re leaning toward this length, be aware that it can make your room appear more formal than you like, and dust will collect at the bottom. Another concern is children and pets grabbing at the lower portion. Do you remember cartoons that feature cats climbing curtains? This can be a danger in regards to having floor-length curtains, only the damage will be real.

Shorter lengths can sway the visual of your appeal either way. They can make your home look cute and casual, or they can cut off the visual height of your room and create a dated appearance. However, if you want to display a loved sculpture or potted tree below the window, shorter curtains are a must. Just be sure they stop right at the bottom of the windowsill, so the appearance isn’t awkward or rushed looking. This length is the most popular in bathrooms.

Cafe curtains are another style to consider, especially when you have a window over a place where you don’t want curtains to hang down too far, like a kitchen sink. This length of curtain is hung either in the middle of a window or on the bottom pane of a double pane window, but always breaks just above the windowsill. This is one way to distinguish them from the average shorter length style. Cafe length is ideal for rooms where you want light but also need privacy, such as a bathroom. Their shorter style lends a more casual vibe to a space.

Width

A design mistake often made is not having wide enough curtain panels. The fullness of your curtains is as important as the length. Fullness is the amount of fabric used beyond the length of the rod. For example, for 2x fullness, if the rod is 18 inches, you want each panel to be 36” wide. This will give your curtains a more elegant look and eliminate unsightly stack back when drawn open.  If your curtains lack adequate fullness, they will look like a flat bed sheet when drawn closed.

Contact Us

If you have any other questions about curtain length, or custom curtains in general, our window treatments specialists are happy to provide answers. You can adorn your curtains with a cornice board for added structure and visual appeal. Our designers can assist you with selecting the perfect colors and fabrics but we invite you to check out our design ideas for additional inspiration. Request your consultation online today with our convenient form. Our showroom is in Mount Pleasant, SC. We are pleased to provide service to Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Isle of Palms, Kiawah, Sullivan’s Island, Seabrook Island, John's Island, James Island, Daniel Island, West Ashley, Awendaw, McClellanville, and Summerville, SC.

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