A discussion on whether it's aesthetically pleasing or practical for curtains to reach the floor.
Shopping for curtains? Figuring out the right length for your home's windows can be a headache. Do they touch the floor or hover just above it? To help you decide like a pro, we tapped top Southern designers to share their insight on the perfect curtain length.
Perfection in Precision
The ideal curtain length? Skimming the floor, just barely.
"I always say they should either just barely kiss the floor or hover ever so slightly above it," says Cathleen Gruver, lead interior designer at Gruver Cooley in Purcellville, Virginia.
Sallie Lord, founder of GreyHunt Interiors in Chantilly, Virginia, ensures her curtains are installed to hang a half inch above the floor. We're talking drama? Go for a one-inch break, suggests Paloma Contreras, founder of Paloma Contreras Design in Houston, Texas.
The Science Behind the Length
Why the fuss over a few inches? It's all about creating balance.
"It's about intention—if they're too short, they can feel awkward or unfinished. But if they're too long, they can look sloppy or collect dust," explains Gruver. Designer Tabitha Mahaffey agrees. "Curtain hems are like pant hems. You don't want them touching the floor for obvious reasons. We suggest a quarter inch of clearance between the hem and the floor."
Longer curtains softly anchor the room, elongate walls, and even hide unsightly cables or outlets. As Thea Bloch-Neal, founder of Curated by Thea in Durham, North Carolina, puts it, "you wouldn't want a picture frame halfway down the artwork. It's the same concept!"
Professional Hanging Tips
Here's how to hang your curtains like a pro:
- Measure: Measure from the curtain rod install location, typically 4-6 inches above the window frame for a standard look or higher to make ceilings appear taller.
- Length: Target curtains that graze the floor with a clearance of about 1/8 to 1/16 inch, or slightly higher (1/4 inch to 1/2 inch).
- Fabric: Consider the type of fabric and its weight. Thicker fabrics might require more length to achieve the perfect look.
- Southern designers, including Cathleen Gruver from Gruver Cooley in Purcellville, Virginia, consistently suggest that ideal curtain length is when they skim the floor, barely touching it.
- Sallie Lord, founder of GreyHunt Interiors in Chantilly, Virginia, prefers curtains installed with a half inch gap above the floor for a slight dramatic touch.
- Paloma Contreras, founder of Paloma Contreras Design in Houston, Texas, recommends a one-inch break for maximum drama in your home's interior-design.
- The perfect curtain length, as explained by designers, is crucial for visual balance, as curtains that are too short can appear awkward or unfinished, while those that are too long can look sloppy or collect dust.
- To hang your curtains like a professional and achieve the perfect look, measure the installation location, aim for curtains that graze the floor with a clearance of about 1/8 to 1/16 inch, consider the type and weight of the fabric, and remember that thicker fabrics might require more length.
