Interior Design
The Secret to Hanging Curtains Beautifully
Learn key methods and measurements for fullness and stacking to get your window treatments on the right track
Any window treatment can serve the practical purpose of blocking light and boosting privacy. However, a perfectly fitted curtain can also change the apparent size of a room, hide or correct awkward windows and give your space a sharp, orderly appearance, regardless of whether your aesthetic is traditional, modern or somewhere in between. To help you get your curtains just right, here are some guidelines for height, width, installation and more.
Whether the window is high or low, big or small, or even an odd shape, simple floor-to-ceiling curtains flanking it on either side will clean up the look perfectly – especially when shut.
Is your home in need of new window furnishings? Find shutter, blind and curtain professionals near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous customers
Is your home in need of new window furnishings? Find shutter, blind and curtain professionals near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous customers
Having your curtains just scrape the floor (or hang about one centimetre above) is the most common contemporary look, but you can get a charming, romantic effect by letting them pool or ‘puddle’ slightly on the floor.
In this case, let about three to five centimetres of material hit the floor to create a bit of buckling. Just be sure to keep the floor free of debris so your curtains don’t turn into a dust trap.
In this case, let about three to five centimetres of material hit the floor to create a bit of buckling. Just be sure to keep the floor free of debris so your curtains don’t turn into a dust trap.
Run straight across
Using pairs of panels on one long curtain rod or track is usually the most polished option, even for complex sets of windows, such as a bay window or a wall with operable windows and patio doors.
Using pairs of panels on one long curtain rod or track is usually the most polished option, even for complex sets of windows, such as a bay window or a wall with operable windows and patio doors.
Here, each door has its own set of curtains so they’re independently accessible, but they’re hung straight across from one continuous curtain rod, which keeps the look organised.
Go wall to wall
Another no-brainer approach is to simply curtain an area from wall to wall. This helps erase any oddly placed windows and creates a clean plane, making a beautiful backdrop for other design elements.
Another no-brainer approach is to simply curtain an area from wall to wall. This helps erase any oddly placed windows and creates a clean plane, making a beautiful backdrop for other design elements.
In general, breezy white or off-white sheer curtains are a great way to cover any size, shape or number of windows, letting light filter in without weighing down the room.
However, solid curtains also can look fantastic wall-to-wall, especially if you layer furniture in front of them. Keep in mind that if you choose a dark colour for wall-to-wall curtains, you’ll want to balance them with a dark object on the opposite side of the room. When in doubt, a light or mid-tone material will appear less heavy.
Remember fullness and stacking
It’s important to remember that the literal width of a set of curtain panels shouldn’t simply equal the width of the curtain rod. This is for two important reasons: fullness and stacking.
Fullness refers to the fabric width needed to give the curtains a pleasant, natural wave (rather than trying to have them stretch tautly and awkwardly across a wall when closed).
Typical fullness for curtain width is 2.5 times the rod width. Tripling the rod width is a more luxurious option, especially for thinner, flexible fabrics such as sheers.
It’s important to remember that the literal width of a set of curtain panels shouldn’t simply equal the width of the curtain rod. This is for two important reasons: fullness and stacking.
Fullness refers to the fabric width needed to give the curtains a pleasant, natural wave (rather than trying to have them stretch tautly and awkwardly across a wall when closed).
Typical fullness for curtain width is 2.5 times the rod width. Tripling the rod width is a more luxurious option, especially for thinner, flexible fabrics such as sheers.
Stacking refers to the bunching up of curtains as they’re drawn open – all that folded fabric can squeeze together only so tightly and will still take up significant space on the rod when the curtains are open.
This means that, if you want a curtain to open fully and uncover a window completely, the rod or track will need extra length at the end to allow the curtain to ‘stack’ out of the way of the window.
This means that, if you want a curtain to open fully and uncover a window completely, the rod or track will need extra length at the end to allow the curtain to ‘stack’ out of the way of the window.
The exact stacking space required will vary greatly with material thickness and flexibility, so it’s best to consult an expert. However, as a general rule, a light, unlined curtain will require 10 to 15 percent of the panel width to stack, while a heavier, lined curtain will need 20 to 25 percent.
Therefore, if you want your curtain to open wide enough to reveal the whole window, the rod or track should be this percentage wider than the window itself.
Therefore, if you want your curtain to open wide enough to reveal the whole window, the rod or track should be this percentage wider than the window itself.
In situations where a lot of stacking space simply isn’t available, such as with adjacent windows such as these, you may want to select lighter fabrics that won’t bunch up too much.
Browse more beautiful curtain designs
Browse more beautiful curtain designs
Alternatively, you can choose a rich fabric (with great light-blocking abilities, such as blockout curtains) and simply accept that the curtains won’t draw open completely. This full look can be quite stylish, and as long as the window or door is still operable when necessary, that’s all you really need.
Stacking patterned fabric
Besides taking up space, the stacking of patterned curtains can dramatically change their look from how they appear when drawn shut. When selecting a fabric, try to get your hands on a sizeable sample so you can see how the material looks when it’s folded. This will give you a much more accurate idea of how the curtains will appear installed.
Besides taking up space, the stacking of patterned curtains can dramatically change their look from how they appear when drawn shut. When selecting a fabric, try to get your hands on a sizeable sample so you can see how the material looks when it’s folded. This will give you a much more accurate idea of how the curtains will appear installed.
Notice how the curtain in this room goes from looking like a series of circles when shut to looking like perfect stripes when stacked. This can be quite a surprising change.
Your turn
What secrets do you use when hanging curtains? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
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Want more practical advice for your home or renovation? Check out these 5 Must-Have Features in a Small Kitchen
What secrets do you use when hanging curtains? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more practical advice for your home or renovation? Check out these 5 Must-Have Features in a Small Kitchen
Even the humblest curtain can benefit from two key rules: in almost every scenario, the best place to hang a curtain is from the ceiling line – either right at the ceiling or just below a bulkhead or moulding – and stretching down to the floor.
This gives the longest possible appearance, which can make small spaces look larger, large spaces look grander and ceilings look taller.