Do you want to know how to puddle curtains to bring opulence and drama to them?
Then, lucky you! Because in this post we will be teaching you how to puddle.
In case you don’t know, when we say puddling it pertains to the extra amount of fabric that is pooled or spilled onto the floor.
This adds personality, dimension, and flair to a room.
To attain a puddled look extra fabric length is required, depending on the particular puddle style that you are going for.
Ways To Puddle Curtains
So, how to puddle curtains?
You can choose from either of the three puddle styles that we will discuss below.
To customize further, you can even choose from the variation of each style.
#1. Break Puddle
Break Puddle is also referred to as break length. This is the simplest puddling style to achieve.
In this style, the curtain is pooled about an inch onto the floor.
It works best with fabrics like cotton and linens.
To attain this look, add one-half inch to the one-inch extra fabric so that when your curtain reaches the floor, it will not just cut off.
This will give your drapery a laid-back feel because it will be creating a break in it.
Perhaps, you will be using a pleated drape, then it will result in a tailored break, unlike soft top curtains that produce a casual break.
This is how you do it:
For a casual break
All you need to do is to hang your curtains and then let the pleats lying naturally.
Among other styles in the list, this one is the simplest because no arrangement is required.
For a tailored look
To achieve this look, you need to choose pleated curtains that drop uniformly. You might as well go for drapes that are heavyweight and have multiple linings.
After you hang it, arrange the fabric in such a way that the hem of each pleat bends. This will create a clean stack of folds on the floor.
#2. Medium Puddle
Perhaps, you prefer to get more character than the previous one, then try this puddling style.
The medium puddle requires you to increase your fabric length by 2-5 inches.
You can either arrange the curtain to bundle together and drop it underneath itself or let it fan out onto your floor.
Either way, it can result in an eye-catching outcome.
This puddle style falls in between the dramatic true puddling style which we will discuss next and the tiny break puddle that we discussed earlier.
#3. True Puddle
If you want to achieve the most dramatic result, then go for a true puddle.
This style can be accomplished by adding about 6 up to 16 inches to the length of the curtain.
Take note that the longer the curtain length, the more striking results will be achieved.
Your curtain will be fanning out at the bottom just like a wedding gown resulting in a sophisticated and elegant train of fabric.
Below are the different ways to arrange the fabric in achieving a true puddle:
Flowing puddle
The first true puddling style mimics the train of the wedding gown fashion. It is luxurious and bold.
In creating flowing puddles, you should arrange the curtains into uniform folds.
Then, let the fabric naturally lie and flow out from your curtain panels.
This will result in a perfect pool
Fold-under puddle
As the name suggests, you will have to fold the extra fabric beneath itself in this puddling style.
You will see amazing results after you fluff the fabric.
It will look like soft clouds thereby providing your room a dreamy effect.
Remember, this puddling style needs at least 12 up to 16 inches of extra fabric length.
Stacked puddle
In this style, you will have to pile the fabric vertically, instead of letting it flow outwards.
To do this, lift the fabric into a fold then drop it down.
Repeat the same process until you have stacked all the folds, with each fold on top of another.
You will need to be patient on this because it will most like take time before your curtain can maintain this puddling style.
Readjust the folds as needed. The curtain will retain the puddle over time as you train it.
How long should drapes puddle on the floor?
The answer to this question depends on the look that you are after.
Some people like their window treatment to be hanging right above the floor.
But some want the dramatic effect of a voluminous puddle that needs 18-inch extra fabric.
Should curtains puddle on the floor?
Again it depends on your personal preference.
If you want your curtain to puddle, then measure from the bottom of the curtain ring towards the floor.
Then, add six up to eight inches to achieve an opulent puddle.
Usually, a curtain in a formal setting is puddled. This is also done with curtains that are not closed and opened that often.
It’s A Wrap!
You can create more drama and style in your space if you know how to puddle curtains.
Doing so is very simple. You can even do it in multiple ways.