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There are a lot of home projects that look intimidating but end up being surprisingly simple. Hanging curtains isn’t one of them. It should be simple. Measure. Drill. Hang. Done. Ha!
Instead, you’ll find yourself standing on a ladder asking questions you never expected to ask. Is this too high? Too low? Why does one panel suddenly look longer than the other? Why do curtain rods only seem level until you step off the ladder? Why is this so hard?
I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit (especially this week, ugh).
The funny thing is that curtains are one of the biggest visual upgrades you can make in a room. They soften everything, make windows feel larger, help with privacy, and somehow make furniture look more intentional. A room without curtains can feel unfinished, even when everything else is in place.
The good news is that hanging them well isn’t as complicated once you know a few basic rules.
Why Curtains Make Such a Difference
Curtains do more than cover a window. They add height to a room, soften hard lines, absorb a little sound, frame the view outside, add layers and texture, and make everything feel a little cozier. Even if you never plan to close them (me), they still do a lot of work. Think of them like the frame around a picture. The picture might be beautiful on its own, but the frame makes it look finished.
Step 1: Decide What Your Curtains Need to Do
Before you buy anything, decide why you’re hanging them. Different rooms have different needs.
- Decorative: Mostly for softness and style. These often stay open all the time.
- Privacy: Great for bedrooms and bathrooms, but they should function.
- Light filtering: Lets natural light in while softening harsh sunlight. Great for offices and laundry rooms.
- Blackout: Ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, or anyone who enjoys sleeping past sunrise.
Step 2: Hang the Rod Higher Than You Think
This is probably the biggest mistake people make. The instinct is to mount the curtain rod just above the window trim. Don’t. Hanging the rod higher draws your eye upward and makes the entire room feel taller. As a general rule you want to:
- Install the rod about 6 to 12 inches above the window frame.
- If you have very tall ceilings, you can go even higher.
- Leave an inch or two between the rod and the ceiling or crown molding.
It’s amazing how much bigger a room feels just by moving the rod up.
Step 3: Go Wider Than the Window
The rod shouldn’t stop at the edges of the window. Extend it 6 to 10 inches past each side whenever space allows. That does two things:
- It makes the window appear larger.
- It lets the curtains stack mostly off the glass when they’re open, bringing in more natural light.
Tiny rods that barely cover the window almost always make the window look smaller.
Step 4: Choose the Right Length
Curtains that are too short have a way of making a room feel unfinished. Floor-length curtains almost always look more custom. You have a few options:
Just Touching the Floor
This is my favorite. The panels barely kiss the floor without bunching up. It’s clean, classic, and easy to vacuum around.
Slight Break
The fabric rests on the floor by about an inch. This gives a softer look without looking messy.
Puddled
Extra fabric pools on the floor. Pretty? Yes. Practical? Not if you have dogs, kids, robot vacuums, or enjoy cleaning your floors (but I do it anyway, haha).
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Step 5: Make Sure They’re Full Enough
One lonely curtain panel on each side rarely looks right. When the curtains are closed, they should appear full instead of stretched tight. A good guideline is for the total fabric width to be about two to two-and-a-half times the width of your window. It feels like a lot while you’re shopping, trust me. But it looks exactly right once they’re hanging.
Choosing the Right Fabric
The fabric can change the entire feel of the room.
Linen and Linen Blends
Relaxed, casual, and timeless. They let in soft light and work well in almost any style of home.
Cotton
Classic and versatile. Easy to find and available in nearly every color and pattern imaginable.
Velvet
Adds warmth, texture, and helps block light. Perfect for bedrooms or studies, rooms where you want a cozier feel.
Sheers
Light and airy. Great if privacy isn’t your main concern and you want to maximize natural light.
Should Curtains Touch the Floor?
I’m going to give it to you straight. Almost always, yes. Curtains that stop several inches above the floor tend to look like they accidentally shrank in the wash. If you’re between sizes, it’s usually easier to buy them a little long and hem them than to wish they were longer. Sometimes, depending on the material you can wash them and shrink them 1/2 to 1 inch in length.
What About Curtains on Tension Rods?
If you have beautiful wood trimmed windows, you may want to consider no-drill options. Tension rods are my go-to, but their placement is a little different.
For the most balanced look when hanging tab-back or rod-pocket curtains, position the tension rod near the top of the window frame. When choosing your curtain length, aim for the hem to stop just above the windowsill rather than resting directly on it. That little bit of breathing room keeps the curtains from looking cramped inside the window opening while still giving them a tailored, intentional look.
Café curtains are a little different too. They’re traditionally hung to cover only the lower half of the window, with the hem landing right at or just brushing the windowsill. The idea is to add privacy without blocking too much natural light. Because they’re already shorter by design, leaving them hovering above the sill can make them look accidentally too short, while hanging them several inches below it takes away from that classic café curtain look.
Tip
Café curtains don’t have to be hung at exactly 50% of the window, but that’s the traditional placement because it provides privacy while still letting in plenty of natural light.
In most kitchens, hanging the rod around the middle of the window creates the most balanced look, though you can adjust it a few inches higher for more privacy or lower for more light. Rather than focusing on an exact measurement, step back and look. I find that your eye is usually a better judge than any tape measure.
Common Curtain Hanging Mistakes (which I’ve totally done)
- Hanging the rod too low. It makes ceilings feel shorter than they are.
- Using a rod that’s too narrow. The window instantly looks smaller.
- Buying curtains that are too short. Nothing gives away store-bought curtains faster than panels floating several inches above the floor.
- Forgetting to steam them. This might be my biggest pet peeve. Fresh-out-of-the-package curtains almost always have deep fold lines. Spend a few minutes steaming them before deciding whether you like them. You’ll be surprised how much better they look.
- Not using enough panels. Flat curtains don’t look luxurious. They just look like they ran out of fabric.
Handheld Steamer
This steamer quickly removes wrinkles from curtains, drapes, clothing, and linens with minimal effort.
My Favorite Curtain Tip
Once everything is hung, step back. Then step back again. Look from another room. Walk past without staring. For some reason, curtain placement only reveals itself after you’ve convinced yourself you’re finally done, haha.
More than once I’ve climbed the ladder, declared victory, walked into the hallway, and immediately grabbed the drill again. Apparently my eyes need about twenty feet of distance before they decide to cooperate.
My Final Thoughts
Curtains aren’t the most exciting thing you’ll buy for your home, but they might have one of the biggest impacts. Hang them a little higher, make the rod a little wider, choose enough fabric, and don’t skip the steamer. The room will feel larger, softer, and more finished without changing anything else. Sometimes that’s all a room really needs.
You find everything pictured in this post right here.