When choosing curtains, you might ask yourself: what lengths do curtains come in? The standard curtain length you can typically find in most shopping malls is 63, 84, 94, 108, and 120 inches. However, there are available services that allow you to tailor your curtains according to the desired length.
Knowing what lengths do curtains come in is crucial in styling your window treatments and elegant drapery. You have to make sure that you are choosing the correct height to achieve a particular style.
Some stylish lengths can classify as sill, apron, floor, trouser, and puddle. These relative measurements depend on the window sill and the height of the ceiling from the floor. We can tell you more about them as we go on.
Why are lengths important?
Curtain lengths give an entirely different touch to the design. Placing them at a higher placement can make your windows look taller and wider than it really is. It helps you achieve that sophisticated and streamlined finish on your drapery.
Short Curtains
Sometimes shorter curtains seem outdated. Some might even argue that it makes the room appear incomplete. However, there are some instances wherein shorter curtains are more practical than long drapes.
For instance, if you want curtains in your kids’ bedrooms but are worried about your toddlers tugging at the seams, then you might want to opt for short-length curtains. After all, they are still charming and can fashion a rather charming look.
There are two main types of short curtains.
Sill Length Curtains
These typically end at around half an inch above the bottom window sill. The standard height of windows can play around 24 and 36 inches. You can expect that a regular sill curtain is around the same height.
These are casual and charming and give homeowners a fantastic opportunity to experiment with color and pattern. Don’t let its short size stop you from turning your space into a visually appealing environment.
Hang them on small windows above the counter or furniture blocking full-length drapes. Sill curtains also work well on small bathroom windows. It will give you more privacy while adding a bit of style to the room.
Apron Length Curtain
Another type of short curtains is those that fall an inch below the bottom. It makes a crisp and unfussy border that serves as a practical option. Apron curtains lengths are not as popular as they used to be, but still a sensible choice nonetheless.
Just try not to hang them on windows where there’s free wall space underneath. Otherwise, it might make it appear too short or an unintentional part of the interior design. Instead, try hanging them in windows with window seats and similar floor-length preventing curtains.
Long Curtains
Longer length curtains ranging from around 63 to 120 inches create various design effects and create a dramatic outturn in your room’s overall aesthetics. If you are going for floor-length curtains, make sure that they are long enough to pull off a particular look.
Floor Length Curtains
The “shortest” long curtain falls around half an inch above the floor. It gives the illusion of a floating fabric that is both polished, chic, and stylish. This makes it a popular choice amongst homeowners because it makes windows appear taller.
You can hang your curtain rods way above the window sill to make space appear more prominent. Floor-length curtains also stay clean since it does not pick up too much dirt, dust, and hair accumulating on the floor.
Trouser Curtains
These curtains extend two inches past the rod to floor height. It makes a good, tailored, and sophisticated look. This is perfect with crisp and thicker or medium-heavy fabrics. You can use them around formal dining areas or as bedroom curtains.
Just make sure that you don’t put them in a room with heavy foot traffic. It may cause a bit of an inconvenience since a part of the fabric brushes against the floor. With trouser curtains, you can change the length of your curtain so that it brushes lightly against the floor instead of gathering on the surface.
Puddle Curtains
If you are looking for a luxurious and dramatic window treatment, then puddling curtains are what you need. With at least six to ten inches more than the rod-to-floor height, a good amount of the fabric can create soft puddles on the floor’s surface.
You want to use sheer linen and other similar fabrics to achieve a romantic and elegant look. Be careful when puddling thicker curtains, as it may look like you just had it at the wrong size. Also, puddle curtains should remain as it is. Opening and closing them routinely will ruin the design and require you to fix it all over again.
Design Tips
Use longer curtains that puddle or lightly kiss the floor on tall or high windows. It makes space look bigger than it really is. It also helps you achieve a natural, beautiful, and overall relaxing look. For puddling curtains, hang them in rooms where you want to make a statement.
Overall, regardless of the curtain length, you must consider the material and design. Some fabrics are just not made to pull off a sophisticated and glamorous look. Experiment with different fabrics to get the look that you are going for.
Also, now that we have established what lengths do curtains come in, you have to consider that there is the option of going for custom curtains tailored to meet your precise window treatment measurements.