Curtains make a big statement in a home. They may make a house seem more open or provide greater privacy for people living inside if they are precisely measured to glass windows.
There are many considerations to make when hanging new curtains in your home, from fabric and style to color and design. But the most crucial review is how you’ll hang your curtains, as this will decide how effectively they blend in with the rest of the room’s decor.
One question that may come to mind is, should curtains touch the floor?
It depends on factors such as window length, but more often than not, curtains look best when touching the floor. However, how low you want your curtains to hang will determine what you want to achieve. In reality, different decorating styles employ varying curtain lengths.
For window curtains, it’s important to think about every element of design and function. You can choose from those that lightly touch the floor, those hovering slightly above the floor, those that break the floor, or short ones.
However, short one may not be ideal as they may look outdated or make the ceiling look lower than it actually is.
What is the Standard Curtain Drop Length?
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While there is no particular standard drop length for curtains, the majority are available in 84-inch, 96-inch, and 108-inch drop lengths. Unless your ceilings are very low, avoid using 84-inch conventional curtains.
In most situations, they don’t look good and wind up being an awkward length. According to experts, the 96-inch and 108-inch lengths fit into a wider variety of common areas with big and small windows.
Consider rounding to the nearest length to your measurements. I “If in doubt, go for the lengthier version rather than the awkwardly short one.
How Far Should Most Curtains Hang from the Floor?
While fashion used to suggest a “flood level” bottom line for curtains—one that hung just beyond the window sill and was short enough not to get wet in a flood event, these days, style dictates that curtains should drop to about 1/2-inch off the floor or even puddle slightly.
Depending on how frequently you want to open and shut your curtains, choose the length. This spacing enables easy wiping and cleaning while also giving the impression that the curtain is touching the floor.
Curtains that drop all the way to the ground aren’t always workable or desired sometimes. If you have a radiator or a deep window sill, or if your sofa or another big piece of furniture has to back up to the window, short curtains will be most appropriate.
Types of Curtains and Styles
Different Lengths and styles here on Amazon!
With so many choices, finding a range of curtain designs that work in every area of your home is simple. The common styles we have today include:
- Solid-colored and neutral curtains: Solid-colored and neutral curtains come in bright hues such as orange, yellow, red, as well as dark tones like black and navy blue and are easy to mix in with your current décor. White, off-white, cream, taupe, and sand curtains offer a classy touch that won’t overshadow your favorite furniture, carpets, and accessories.
- Textured curtains: Look for textured options to add a little more flair to solid-colored and neutral drapes. Stripes, patterns, and prints in one hue are modest, yet they may provide a unique touch to your space.
- Modern curtains: They have stripes, geometric patterns, and even abstract prints to provide a modern feel to your home. Choose monochrome designs or colorful, patterned curtains in a variety of colors to match your taste.
The distance between the floor and the bottom of the curtains depends on the appearance you want to achieve. Below is a list of curtain styles and lengths to consider:
Sill length
The sill is the sort of curtain with the smallest length. Its regular length is usually a half-inch over the window sill, depending on the manufacturer.
Using these sorts of curtains in your home will give it a more informal and appealing appearance. In addition, it makes use of vibrant colors and patterns to create a room with a unique appearance.
You can use this type of length for windows that are too small. They are only a little distance in size, so they will not interfere with the furniture, heater, or counter positioned below them. This sort of curtain is in most bathrooms and kitchens.
Floor length
Floor-length curtains present are a popular minimalist style available in various lengths. In most cases, it will be half an inch above the floor in size—just an inch or two above the ground.
You should use the float method if you wish to hang your curtains with no breaks at all so that they hang entirely straight. But it is only just barely in contact with the floor.
This length offers a smooth and fashionable appearance. It gives the impression that your windows are taller and more attractive. Floor-length curtains typically can not reach the floor.
They are typically in high-traffic rooms such as the living room or dining room. It is functional and aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.
Breaking length
Fitting length curtains are distinguished from non-fitting length curtains by their appearance. When measured from the bottom, its length varies from half an inch to an inch or longer.
Curtains that have broken lengths generate a slight fold or break at the bottom of the drapery panel. This folding results in contrasted banding that is both sophisticated and elegant.
For curtains, cotton or linen textiles are the most appropriate materials to employ. These items could be used to create a more relaxed and pleasant environment at your house.
Puddle length
Puddling curtains (puddles) have the longest length. This type of drape is up to a maximum height of 6 inches or more above the ground.
There is something opulent and beautiful about the way these look. For tall windows, puddle-length curtains are the most acceptable option.
However, if you want to use a room for dazzling friends and relatives, this is a terrific option.
Fabrics such as thick cotton and velvet are typically used. However, if you have pets, we do not advocate leaving them for such a long time because the excess cloth at the bottom can readily collect your pet’s hair and other items.
When you use this curtain style, the curtain must hang at least 6 inches above the floor to create a “puddling” appearance.
Old European homes influenced these formal curtain styles. This style looks good in luxurious fabrics such as velvet.
Trouser length
Trouser-length curtains give your home a stylish appearance. There must be at least two inches of extra length between the ceiling and the floor.
When a fold or bend forms at the points in this type of curtain, it improves the appearance of your curtains by making them more well-groomed and trendy.
Trouser-length curtains look best when made of brittle and thicker materials, which are available in many colors. It is an excellent choice for your bedroom, family room, and dining area.
Apron length
These curtains should sit 1 inch below your window. Although not uncommon, this sort of length is not widely used.
However, apron-sized curtains are practical since their size prevents dust and filth from accumulating on the floor.
These curtain lengths may appear to be a little too short. As a result, it is preferable to use them only on windows where there are obstacles that prevent full-length curtains from being drawn, such as in kitchen windows and bedrooms.
These curtains are ideal for those looking for a farmhouse style.
The Kiss
It barely contacts the ground. This is the most difficult to pull off since you must measure SUPER precisely from the rod (and make sure you include the rings/clips or hooks in your measurements).
It’s my favorite since it appears to be the most personalized and planned, but it’s also the most difficult to do. When the curtain is open, there is typically a minor break or bend, which I don’t mind.
Café length
Floating or Cafe style curtains are those that only partially hung up the window, similar to the way many old roadside cafés used to cover their windows.
Hanging half-cafe curtains way up the window, nearly at the top, or even closer to the bottom of the window are all options. There may be a question of privacy as they are grazing or floating curtains, and the best solution is to combine them with another type of curtain that fits your style.
How much should curtains touch the floor?
Ideally, the fabric should either be flush with the floor or hover half an inch above it.
Half café curtains (small panels covering only the lowest portion of a window and reach the Sill) are a perfect option for rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom where long drapes aren’t practicable because of the lack of space.
Do bedroom curtains have to touch the floor?
Bedroom curtains should be long enough to reach the floor, just like in most other rooms (give or take an inch).
The only time curtains should be too short in the bedroom is if anything is in the way of their capacity to reach the floor.
Typical examples include a bed’s headboard and an under-the-window radiator. This height visually lengthens the room and contributes to the overall beauty of the space by bringing everything together.
The only time that curtains in the bedroom should be short is if there is something in front of the window, which should be the exception, items such as a headboard, a radiator, or any other large piece of furniture fall under this category.
You may have curtains reach just above the thing in front of the window and still have them look fantastic.
Should 84-inch window curtains touch the floor?
Yes, They should! The length of the curtain determines the height of the curtain rod.
Therefore, even if you buy curtains that are 84 inches long, if the curtains hang from the rod without rings, the rod must be approximately 84 inches from the floor to enable the curtain to touch the floor and avoid the awkward look.
