The curtain length might be one of the essential elements to create the dreamy atmosphere you want in a room. Even though you can opt for the size of your curtains the way you want, there are some tips you may need. Standard curtains have three common measures—84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. We can categorize them respectively as short-length, medium-length, and long-length curtains. Many experts recommend choosing longer curtains rather than shorter ones to create an illusion of having a bigger and more spacious room. Choosing the best length for your curtains depends primarily on the room and window sizes.
Let’s look at all the curtain sizes one by one in this detailed guideline:
Short Curtains
We can call 63 inches and 84 inches standard short lengths. Sill-length curtains are one of them. They end at the level of the window sill. They are most suitable in rooms with high and small windows, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and attics. There are better types than short curtains. In addition to looking obsolete, too-short curtains can give the illusion that the ceiling is lower. You should only use short curtains if there are small windows or windows above heaters, counters, or furniture that might impede full-length drapes.
Medium-length Curtains
96 inches long curtains can be called standard medium-length curtains. Even though they are not the most popular choice, they are practical, easy to open and close, and don’t collect dirt and dust from the floor. Nevertheless, medium-length curtains look neither modern nor excellent. You should only use them if there is a radiator under the window or an item of furniture that will impede the long curtains.
Long Curtains
108 inches and 120 inches are standard long-length curtains. Floor-length curtains are just above the floor; this is the most common size buyers choose for their curtains. They are really easy to use, practical, stylish, and modern. Floor-length curtains are great for living rooms and bedrooms. Puddle curtains, on the other hand, generally extend nearly 3 inches onto the floor. They will get dirty very quickly and frequently but they will add a dramatic aura to the room. Puddle curtains are great for formal rooms, such as dining rooms.
Long curtains are the most ideal ones to choose for a standard room if you buy them on online shopping sites or from a shop in your neighborhood. Nevertheless, don’t forget that you can sew or order special-size curtains according to your needs.
Special Curtain Sizes
If you do not decide to buy curtains in the standard measurements we mentioned above, you can sew or order curtains in special sizes. This is needed when your window area has a different and unusual architectural design or your windows’ sizes are not standard. To specialize the measurements you need to take your measuring tape along with the pen and paper to note down the measurements of the window area. After that, you can contact a drapery service, a designer, or visit a local tailor. The experts will also help you to choose the best fabric and color for your room. However, if you prefer sewing your curtains, you should follow some steps. Here is our guide:
How to sew a curtain step by step
Step 1: Get the necessary tools.
First of all, don’t forget that this sewing process is for the easiest and cheapest option which is rod pocket curtains. If you want to sew a different kind of curtain you will need extra tools such as rings and clips. So you should decide that, too. If you are planning to sew rod pocket curtains, get the tools you will need during the sewing process. The necessary tools are:
- Curtain fabric (you can choose the most chosen fabrics for curtains such as wool, polyester, and cotton. The color or pattern of the fabric should be according to your room’s design.)
- Curtain lining fabric (drapery linings are essential because they will block the light better and give you the privacy you desire. You can find them very easily on online shopping sites such as this one available on Amazon. The lining color can change according to your curtain fabric’s color. The drapery linings are generally sold in neutral colors such as white, creme, and black.)
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Sewing machine
- Pins
- Iron (for a better result but optional)
- Pen and paper (to note down the measurements)
Step 2: Measure the window area for your curtains’ width and length.
Measure the distance from the top of the curtain rod to the desired curtain landing point. Next, determine the window’s width by using a measuring tape. Your curtains’ width should be double the size of the window width to create a fuller look. Get your pen and paper to note down these specifications. If you’d like, you can extend the length and change the measurements a little bit. Nevertheless, we will add more inches for the parts to be sewn in the next step.
Step 3: Get the fabric and the lining fabric and determine the parts to be sewn.
Add 8 inches to the height and width to accommodate the pocket at the top, side, and bottom hem. Then, cut the curtain fabric according to those specifications. On the other hand, the lining must be 3 or 4 inches shorter in length while the same width as the curtain fabric.
Step 4: Pin the fabric and lining together.
Before using the sewing machine, pin the fabric and lining together to keep them in one place. Doing this is especially important to minimize slippage and get a smoother result after sewing.
Step 5: Sew the first side.
Let’s start sewing. Sew the fabrics in a straight line along one side to create the first hem.
Step 6: Sew the bottom hem.
Fold the bottom 2 inches of the curtain fabric and fold the bottom 3 or 4 inches of the lining fabric. To make the hem at the bottom of the curtain, pin and sew where they are overlapping.
Step 7: Sew the second side.
Sew the second side in a straight line as you did for the first side.
Step 8: Flip the curtain.
The three sides are sewn until now. At the bottom corner, flip the curtain right side out.
Step 9: Iron the fabric and then, sew the pocket.
To get a better result for the pocket, iron the fabric in this step even though you will iron it again when you finish the product. And then, fold the top part of the fabric over 3 or 4 inches. Use the pins to determine the line to be sewn. After that, sew this line to create a pocket at the top of the fabric.
Step 10: Cut the excessive threads and iron the curtain.
Cut the excessive threads by using scissors and then, iron the curtain for a more beautiful and professional look.
Step 11: Hang your brand-new curtains.
The curtains are ready. Get the rod and you can hang your finished product over the window.
Tips
In this part, we wanted to compile quite essential tips on curtain length and width.
Tip 1 Long curtains that hang high give the impression of a bigger room and longer walls, which is perfect for rooms with low ceilings. On the other hand, short curtains lower the height of your walls and make the space appear smaller.
Tip 2 To get the best result measure 10 inches above the window trim for a curtain rod or hardware and curtain height. For the width of the curtain, measure 5 to 10 inches (10 inches are ideal) on either side of the window trim. You can also measure the width as two times the window width.
Tip 3 If you are using longer curtains, fix the rod as high as possible above the window.
Tip 4 For formal rooms, puddle curtains are recommended. However, don’t forget that puddle curtains collect a lot of dust. You should clean them more often than the shorter curtains.
Tip 5 If you are plannig to sew your special size curtains, the length of the curtain can change but never forget to measure the width at least double the size of the window width. You wouldn’t want to have skinny curtains. Because this will cause so much trouble while opening and closing the curtains.
Tip 6 Layering a thick fabric curtain over sheer drapes is another way to give any space depth and substance. This will give a luxurious appearance, which is good for bedroom curtains in particular. If you want to use this double-layered curtain design for your room, you need to make sure that both curtains are the same length and width.
What are the benefits of using longer curtains?
Most professionals state that the longer, the better. So what are the advantages of using longer curtains? The benefits are generally the same with other curtains but you will see the results better while using longer curtains.
- Light Management: Depending on the room, you will need to block the light to some degree. For example, to get better and healthier sleep, your bedroom curtains should block most of the light. So, thicker, darker, and longer curtains will provide better light control.
- Privacy and Security: The trio solution of thick, dark, and long works well for privacy, too. Especially if you have big and tall windows, it becomes harder to secure privacy. In situations like this, you should opt for thicker and longer curtains in dark colors. Don’t forget that providing privacy is also important for you and your home’s security. And long curtains will help your privacy and security.
- Window Insulation: All types of draperies can contribute to insulation to some extent around the window area. The thicker and longer curtains will provide maximum insulation. If the window insulation is good, the energy expenditure will be lower than before. Because curtains help in the sense of thermal and noise insulation. So if you have a problem with insulation in your room, you should opt for a long curtain.
- Multipurpose Use: Don’t think of curtains just as barriers in front of windows. They are more than that. You can use curtains for very different purposes in your home. For example, a curtain can be used as a wall. We call it a room divider. You can opt for long, thick, and heavy curtains for this purpose. On the other hand, they can be used as a door. You can hang them in doorways to cover the area. A curtain can also be a cabinet door. It will cover your dresses and your belongings stylishly.
- Style: Window treatments enhance the appearance of your house. Hanging curtains is one of the simplest methods to change your design if you’re trying to improve your house’s aura. Don’t forget that the longer curtains will add a more dramatic or more formal look than others. And long curtains are very trendy.
Curtain ideas available on Amazon
Short-length curtains
H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout Curtains 63-inch Length 2 Panels Set Cattleya Floral Printed Drapes Leah Floral Thermal Curtains for Bedroom with Black Liner Sound Proof Curtains, Navy and Taupe
This is an excellent example of a short curtain. The 63-inch length is one of the shortest among standard measurements. This can be used in a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, or attic.
You can see it on Amazon.
RYB HOME Short Curtains Gray Half Window Curtains for Bedroom, Privacy Curtain Tiers for Windows, Energy Saving Curtain Tiers for Bathroom Shades, Wide 42 x Long 36 inches per Panel, Grey, Set of 2
This one is 36 inches long. It is as long as a standard window length. If you want to use a shorter curtain like that, you should be aware that you cannot fix the curtain rod higher.
You can see it on Amazon.
White Kitchen Curtains 24 Inch Length Set of 2 Panels Cafe Curtain Tiers Linen Textured Semi Sheer Boho Farmhouse Short Curtains for Small Bathroom Basement Window RV Camper
This is the shortest standard measurement you can find. 24 inches in length is a good choice for kitchens and bathrooms. This will add a classic and warm atmosphere to the room. The rod is generally fixed in the middle of the window. However, you can arrange the height for the curtain rod as you like.
You can see it on Amazon.
Medium-length curtains
Dusty Blue Sheer Curtains 96 Inches Long for Living Room Set of 2 Panels Airy See Through Lightweight Grommet Grey Gray Blue Sheer Window Curtain Panels for Bedroom 52×96 Inch Length
96 inches is the most common medium length for curtains. This one doesn’t touch the floor. So it won’t get dirty too quickly. However, this one can make the room look smaller, especially if you try to fix the curtain rod in a higher place.
You can see it on Amazon.
Long-length curtains
Linen Curtains Natural Linen Blended Curtains Tab Top Window Treatments Panels Drapes for Living Room / Bedroom, Elegant Energy Efficient Light Filtering Curtains (Set of 2, 52″ x 108″, Stone Blue)
108 inches is the most chosen one for curtains. It is shorter than 120 inches, making it easier to hang and control.
You can see it on Amazon.
StangH Velvet Curtains 120 inches Long – Luxury Black Blackout Bedroom Curtains Super Soft Thick Thermal Insulated Drapes for Theater / Backdrop / Church / Stage, Back Tab, W52 x L120, 2 Panels
This is the longest curtain measurement you can find in the market. This will puddle on the floor and can collect a lot of dust. To hamper this situation, you can fix the curtain rod higher and, if possible, much nearer to the ceiling.
You can see it on Amazon.
Last Word
You need to consider some important points to decide how long the curtains should be. First, there are three most common standard measures—84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. It would be best if you decided which one to choose according to your room’s size, window size, and the design of the room. If you don’t want any of the standard measurements, you can contact a professional or a local tailor to design and measure your curtain. Or, you can decide to sew the curtains on your own in 11 steps. And lastly, don’t forget that longer curtains and higher rods will create an illusion of a bigger and more spacious room along with advantages such as a better result in window insulation and privacy.
