Shopping for and hanging curtains is usually a daunting job. There are such a lot of little issues to consider as a way to get that just-right finish outcome. After just lately hanging drapes in our bed room, you guys despatched a ton of questions my manner. How excessive ought to I hold my curtains? How extensive ought to my curtains be? What about curtain rods?
Right now I’m answering your mostly requested questions on curtains & drapes! Let’s get to it, beginning with the query I get essentially the most (and what will get tousled essentially the most too!)… how excessive to hold curtains (put up consists of affiliate hyperlinks; full disclosure assertion out there {right here}.
Observe: I’m going to make use of the phrases “curtains” and “drapes” interchangeably on this put up – whereas traditionally there are variations between the 2, the phrases are sometimes used interchangeably these days, and every part I speak about in at this time’s put up applies to each 😉.
How Excessive to Dangle Curtains
Dangle your curtains excessive and extensive! Hanging your curtains greater makes your home windows look bigger, so don’t make the error of placing your rod solely an inch or two above your window trim. Precisely how excessive do you have to hold your curtains? In most situations, it seems to be finest to hold your curtain rod ½ to ⅔ of the gap between the highest of your window trim and your ceiling (or crown molding, you probably have it).
In the lounge of our present house, the gap between the window body and crown molding is about 19″. Utilizing the ½ – ⅔ rule, I ought to hold the rod between 9.5-12.5″ above the window body. I ended up hanging my rod someplace within the center at about 11.5″ up.
Why did I select this precise peak? It was the cheaper method to go! Hanging my rod proper at 11.5″ allowed me to make use of normal 108″ lengthy curtains as an alternative of getting to go along with a customized size (which is considerably dearer).
In our present bed room, we’ve 9′ ceilings and tall home windows that go away solely about 7″ of wall area between the highest of the window body and the crown molding. Sadly, irrespective of the place I positioned my rod in that 7″ hole, none of the usual curtain size choices have been going to work so I knew I’d must go along with customized size curtains. I ended up placing my rod 4 inches above the window and ordering curtains that have been simply lengthy sufficient to graze the carpet when hung at that peak:
Room sources: Round blush lamps | Nightstands | Nightstand knobs | Upholstered bed (Zuma White cloth) | Quilt – now not out there | Gray quilt | Gray & white dragon pillows | White drapes – normal sizes {here}, customized sizes {here} | Floor lamp | Upholstered chair | Chandelier
You’ll be able to see extra pics of our bed room in my current put up on bed room lamps.
So now that we’re all on the identical web page about how excessive to hold curtains, let’s transfer on to…
The place to Store for Curtains
I’ve spent as little as $25/curtain panel to over $200/panel on numerous curtains I’ve tried over time. Spending extra usually will get you the next high quality curtain, however there are good choices on the market for each funds. Right here’s my good, higher, and finest for the place to buy curtains:
Good Curtains (Excellent for Smaller Budgets)
In case you’re on a good funds, IKEA’s RITVA curtains are a tremendous worth. They’re solely out there in a 57″ extensive measurement, however you can at all times sew two or extra panels collectively for wider home windows. There are three size choices (65″, 98″ and 118″) out there at IKEA (yow will discover the 98″ lengthy choice on Amazon {here}). Most cheap curtains are rod pocket (which I’m not a fan of), so I like that the RITVA curtains will be hung via the tabs on the again or with rings and hooks. They’re not lined, so that they aren’t going to look as substantial as dearer lined drapes.
I haven’t used RITVA drapes earlier than, however I did use their comparable AINA drapes (which IKEA now not carries) as closet curtains as an alternative of doorways they usually wore and washed superbly:
There are additionally two well-priced curtain manufacturers you should purchase on Amazon that I’ve heard fantastic issues about. One is “Half Worth Drapes” which yow will discover {here}. Their hottest choices are {these faux linen room darkening curtains} which are available in two widths and 4 lengths. Additionally take a look at “Two Pages” drapes {here}. Their hottest curtains are {these pinch pleat curtains} which are available in a TON of coloration choices and 14 measurement choices. Just like the IKEA drapes, each are unlined.
Higher Curtains (My Go-To Choice!)
My favourite strong coloration curtains are {these Emery curtains} that are a linen/cotton mix and are available in 8 coloration choices. I’ve been utilizing them for years and love the appear and feel of them! Not like most cheaper drapes, these are lined, they usually have the choice of further blackout lining too. I’ve the sunshine filtering model in our residing and eating rooms and the blackout model in our bed room (and sure, they’re GOOD blackouts that maintain the room good & darkish when closed). Our blackout lined curtains seem like this from the again; they’ve a layer of standard lining in addition to a layer of thick blackout lining:
Why is it so good to have lined curtains? The liner not solely helps with mild management, however it additionally helps maintain the material of your curtains from fading within the solar, it makes them look extra substantial, and it helps them hold higher too.
The Emery curtains used to come back in simply two widths and three lengths, however just lately they began providing them in customized sizes {here} (together with lengths as much as 180″!). I used to be initially planning to get normal Emery drapes in our bed room and pay somebody to change their size and width, however went with their customized choice after stumbling upon it. I used to be stunned that there wasn’t as a lot of a value distinction between their normal and customized sizes as I anticipated. They arrived on time, had prime quality workmanship, and have been very correct within the requested sizing. I could add some decorative tape trim alongside the ends of every panel down the highway so as to add some coloration & sample to them.
Earlier than we go any additional, right here’s a fast tip on how you can maintain your white drapes white! In the event that they’re in a room the place you’ll be opening and shutting them each day, the oil out of your fingers will stain the drapes over time. I like {these acrylic curtain wands} that you should utilize to open and shut your drapes with out touching the material:
As a result of they’re acrylic and fully clear, once they’re not in use, they mainly disappear, resting in opposition to the again of the drape:
Greatest Curtains (Customized!)
If cash was no object, I’d have customized drapes made for each room in my home! You get to decide on each element – the material, the liner, the dimensions, the fashion (ex. with or with out pinch pleats) and the best way they’ll be held on the rod. Lovely customized drapes could make a room really feel really particular! I’ve solely had customized drapes made twice, however in each circumstances they have been my favourite factor concerning the area (together with these customized drapes we utilized in the lounge of our two final houses):
I most likely gained’t be splurging on customized drapes in our present home because it isn’t our eternally house, however when the day comes that we ARE in our eternally house, all bets are off! In case you resolve to have customized drapes made, usually yow will discover a neighborhood seamstress to make them for you, however there are some nice on-line sources for customized drapes too together with Lynn Chalk, Martha & Ash, and Pepper Home.
What About Curtain Rods?
There are tons of curtain rod choices on the market! I usually go along with tremendous easy rods and let the curtains be the celebrities of the present. To make your home windows seem wider and let in additional mild, select curtain rods that stretch between about 5-12″ (excluding finials) past the window trim on all sides. This provides your curtains area to stack again with out blocking a lot of the window once they’re open.
For instance of what a distinction an extended curtain rod could make, right here’s a pic of our eating room after we purchased our home. The rod is simply about 3″ wider than the window trim on all sides:
Extending the rod a number of extra inches allowed the drapes to be pulled again away from the window, letting in additional mild and making our home windows seem bigger):
(pardon the truth that our sectional is jammed again into the eating room – this was proper after I de-decorated for the vacations after we transfer our sectional again this method to make room for the tree! I’ll be sharing extra of this area (the place it doesn’t look so boring & crowded) quickly!)
Listed here are my good, higher, finest suggestions for curtain rods..
Good Curtain Rods (An Superb Worth!)
I’ve the longest size of {these inexpensive 1″ telescoping curtain rods} in our household and eating rooms and have been actually proud of them! They embody the finials, mounting bracket, and mounting {hardware}, so I solely wanted to purchase the curtain rings (I used {these 1.5″ rings}). The sliding glass doorways & home windows that the rods cowl are fairly extensive, and our rods span that whole size with a single middle assist and no sagging of the rod.
One factor I might change if I might is that the bracket {hardware} isn’t hidden like it’s with pricier rods. I maintain that means to place a blob of black paint within the two bracket holes, which I feel would make the shortage of a bracket cowl a lot much less noticeable.
Fast Tip: Purchase curtain rings which might be ½″ bigger in diameter than your rod.
Higher Curtain Rods
It’s Pottery Barn for the win within the “higher” class once more! I like {these telescoping curtain rods} that are available in 7 totally different finishes, 6 size choices , and a pair of diameter choices. I’ve the 0.75″ rods within the vintage bronze coloration, which I don’t suppose is one of the best coloration description as a result of it’s extra of a comfortable black than a bronze. They don’t include finials, so you may select those that finest suit your fashion (I selected {these finials}). I didn’t love Pottery Barn’s curtain ring choices, so went with {these inexpensive 1.25″ rings}.
I like that the {hardware} for the rod brackets is hidden, and for my explicit use in our bed room, it’s key that they can be utilized with {these corner connectors}! The nook connectors are best for bay home windows or different areas the place your rod should angle (the connectors are hinged and may accommodate any angle). In our bed room, I’ve a complete of three rods (one lengthy center rod and two shorter rods on the ends) which might be all related collectively by two nook connectors.
Fast Tip: When selecting telescoping curtain rods, you’ll discover that there’s some overlap in measurement choices. All the time measurement UP as a result of your rod will likely be extra secure. For instance, if you would like a 105″ rod, you can get both the massive size (60-108″) or the additional massive size (96-120″). The additional massive could be the only option!
Greatest Curtain Rods
I like that telescoping rods offer you flexibility in sizing in case you’re undecided precisely how lengthy you’ll need to lengthen your rods on the ends. However… there’s the dreaded hump! Curtain rings usually get caught on the joint the place the 2 ends of a telescoping rod meet. Because of this, one of the best rods are non-telescoping rods which might be both one lengthy, uniform rod or two rods of the identical diameter which might be joined along with inside rod connectors. These are usually customized minimize to suit the dimensions of your window.
Observe: I simply ordered {this curtain ring glide tape} that’s made to clean the transition on telescoping rods. I’ll let you understand how it really works!
Typically one of the best place to buy lengthy, one-piece rods is a neighborhood material retailer since lengthy rods are troublesome to ship. However there are some on-line choices for customized sized rods that ship to your home together with LillyMax Decor the place you may order a customized sized rod in 4 finishes and two diameter choices {here} and get coordinating brackets, finials, and rings {here}.
You may additionally select acrylic curtain rods for a extra glam seem like these that I had in our house workplace:
Take a look at my put up on acrylic curtain rods for all the main points!
How Lengthy Ought to My Curtains Be?
We already know that the size of your curtains goes to rely upon the peak that you just hold your curtain rod. Nevertheless it’s additionally going to rely upon HOW you hold your curtains on that rod (rod pocket, rings, again tabs, and so forth.) and the place you need them to fall in relation to the ground. You’ve most likely guessed by now that I like mine to skim the ground or simply be ½″ above it. Others favor them to puddle on the ground. Any of these choices is okay – it’s merely a matter of private choice!
One look that I’d warning you to suppose twice about is having drapes which might be a number of inches off the ground, giving a excessive water look:
If there’s a purpose your drapes can’t lengthen to the ground (for instance, you probably have an electrical heater there), I’d moderately see blinds or shades on the window as an alternative of putting in high-water drapes.
To find out the size of your new curtains, measure from the highest of the rod all the way down to the ground. Use this as your place to begin measurement. Then alter this measurement based mostly on (1) the place you need your drapes to finish:
- Add 2-6″ in size if you would like your drapes to puddle on the ground
- Subtract ½-1″ if you would like your drape to be absolutely off the ground as an alternative of skimming it
and (2) how your drapes will likely be hung:
- Add roughly 1-2″ for rod pocket & grommet curtains (use the precise measurement from the highest of the curtain panel to the highest of the rod pocket/grommet if you understand that)
- Subtract roughly 1-2″ if hanging on rings (use the precise measurement from the highest of the rod to the underside of the ring if you understand that)
Hopefully you’ll discover that you just’re inside just a few inches of one of many normal curtain lengths (84″, 96″, or 108″) and may alter the deliberate peak of your curtain rod only a smidge to make it work. All the time err on the facet of longer if you happen to’re uncertain! You’ll be able to hem your drapes in the event that they’re too lengthy, however there isn’t as straightforward an answer in the event that they’re too quick.
In case you’re putting in a brand new rod together with new curtains, wait to put in the rod till AFTER you could have your curtains. The best manner to make certain about your rod peak is to really put your curtains on the rod, have somebody on every finish maintain the rod as much as the peak you propose to put in it, and alter as wanted.
Additionally, in case you are shopping for curtains that you just plan to sometimes wash within the washer, wash them earlier than set up as a result of they will shrink. Additionally you should definitely iron or steam your drapes earlier than hanging them – your drapes can simply be an inch or two longer as soon as they’re wrinkle-free!
Now let’s speak about curtain width…
How Extensive Ought to My Curtains Be?
Base the width of your curtains on the dimensions of the window that they’re masking. A superb rule of thumb is for the whole width of your pair of curtains to be 1.5 – 2.5 occasions the width of the window they’re masking. So for instance, in case your window is 48″ extensive, your pair of curtains needs to be a complete of 72-120″ extensive (that means every curtain panel needs to be 36-60″). Err towards 2-2.5 occasions width if you happen to like fuller curtains (fuller is my choice!) AND you could have room to stack them again on the facet of the window in order that they’re not masking an excessive amount of of the glass.
Revisiting our front room drapes, there’s solely 10″ between the place my slider glass ends and our bookcase begins:
Whereas I like full drapes, if I went with drapes that have been 2-2.5 occasions the width of our glass sliders, they’d be masking fairly a little bit of the glass as a result of restricted room to stack them again. So on this case, I went with curtains which might be only one.5 occasions the width of our glass sliders.
Phew… are you continue to there?! Consider it or not, there have been extra curtain & drape-related questions that you just guys had, however this put up is already CRAZY lengthy! I’ll sort out these in a later put up (I have to take a curtain break for just a few weeks 😂). So you probably have any questions you need answered throughout spherical 2 of curtain particulars, let me know!
Additionally, I simply added a cool new service to my website that can assist you save posts that you really want to have the ability to simply discover at a later date (like this one!). You merely click on the guts that you need to see on the right-hand facet and go from there! Get pleasure from the remainder of your weekend!
