Should Curtains Touch The Floor?

If you’ve ever read design tips, you’ve probably heard it before – your curtains should lightly graze the floor.

But did you know there are variations to this rule? And even with those variations, the ultimate choice should come down to personal preference.

What’s the Best Way to Hang Curtains?

The most popular way to hang curtains is so that they barely touch the floor or are about an inch off the ground. The curtain rod should be positioned 4-6 inches above the window and extended 3-6 inches on both sides. Doing this creates the illusion of a higher ceiling and larger window.

What are the Most Common Curtain Lengths?

The three most common curtain lengths are 84, 96, and 108 inches. For most rooms, 96 and 108 inches are appropriate. 

When measuring for curtains, take into account the placement of the curtain rod and the length at which you’d like your curtains to fall. To err on the side of caution, go for curtains that are a little too long versus curtains that are too short.

Curtain Length Rules

Whenever possible, curtains should touch the floor or be near it. Hanging short curtains that barely cover the window or hit several inches above the ground can make for an awkward-looking space. 

Long curtains provide balance and, depending on how you hang them, can make your room look taller and your windows wider.

If you want the long look, follow one of these three guidelines:

Float – Curtains at a floating level are the most common. For this method, you’ll want curtains to be about half an inch to an inch off the ground.

Kiss – When your curtains “kiss” the floor, it means they are barely touching. This look is very neat and tidy, appropriate for most rooms.

Pool/Puddle – If you want a romantic, glam, or feminine look, you can pool your curtains on the floor. For this look, you’ll need 3-6 inches of extra fabric for your puddle. Slight puddles of about 3 inches are great for formal spaces, while bigger pools are great for glam spaces.

How Far Above the Window Should You Hang Curtains?

While curtain length is essential, how high above the window to hang curtains is an equally important detail. First, you won’t be able to order the correct curtain length without this number. And secondly, where you put your curtain rod can affect how tall or short the room feels.

For rooms with a standard 8-foot ceiling, curtain rods should be 4-6 inches above the top of the window.

If your ceilings are 10-foot tall or higher, you can place your curtain rod up to 8 inches above the top of the window.

How Far Should Your Curtain Rod Be Past the Window?

While you should hang your curtain rod anywhere from 4-8 inches above the window trim, it also needs to be positioned to make the window look larger and fuller. To do this, you’ll want a rod that extends about 3-6 inches past each side.

Should Your Curtains Be Above or Below a Window Sill?

The most popular way to hang curtains is so that they’re barely touching the ground. But there are times when shorter curtain panels are necessary – especially if long ones touch a radiator, baseboard heater, or are in the way of furniture.

You should also keep curtains off the floor anywhere your floors get wet often. Failure to do this will result in moldy curtains.

Should Curtains Touch the Ceiling?

In traditional homes, placing curtains 4-6 inches above the window is ideal. However, there are exceptions.

If there’s less than 12 inches of space between the top of the window and your ceiling, you can hang your curtain rod at ceiling level. This rule is usually for tall windows paired with standard or low ceilings.

Should Bedroom Curtains Touch the Floor?

Your curtains should touch the bedroom floor. Long curtain lengths create visual balance, and in the bedroom, puddling your curtains can create a romantic feel. There is an exception, though – if using long curtains hits a baseboard, floor vent, or other obstruction, you’ll need to use a shorter curtain or a shade.

Should Living Room Curtains Touch the Floor?

Yes, living room curtains should touch the floor as long as there are no major obstructions. The three standard curtain sizes are 84, 96, and 108 inches.

Measure from your curtain rod to the floor to see which size is right for your living room.

Should 84-inch Curtains Touch the Floor?

Yes, 84 inches is a long curtain length and should touch the floor. Remember when you measure to start from the curtain rod and go down to the floor. This measurement will let you know how long of a curtain you’ll need. And if in doubt, it’s better to go too long than too short.

Are Curtains 2 Inches Off the Floor Too Short?

Unfortunately, curtains two inches off the floor are slightly too short. Generally speaking, you’ll want your curtains to hang 1 inch of the floor at maximum. 

However, if you don’t mind the look, keep things how they are. At the end of the day, you get to make the rules for your house.

Can Curtains Be 4 Inches Off the Floor?

Curtains that are 4 inches off the floor are about 3 inches too short. This length is a little harder to fix than the ones that are only 2 inches too short.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should curtains reach the floor or window sill?

In most cases, curtains should touch the floor. This creates a better-looking space that’s more balanced. However, there are some cases in which using short curtains makes sense. For example, if there is a heater or other piece of furniture in the way, use windowsill curtains.

Should sheer curtains touch the floor?

Yes, if you’re using sheer curtains as your main window covering, they should touch the floor. However, if your sheer curtains are underneath a heavier curtain, then it’s okay for them to hang a couple of inches off the floor. (Just make sure your heavy curtain is kissing the floor.)

Should curtains reach the floor radiator?

No, your curtains should not touch any heat source, including floor vents, radiators, or baseboard heaters. If your curtain is touching your heater, you need to fix it. It’s a huge fire hazard.

Should kitchen curtains touch the floor?

In most cases, your kitchen curtains should touch the floor. However, for practicality’s sake, hang your curtains so that they hover. If you have a busy kitchen that gets dirty quickly, this can save you from constantly washing your curtains.

And if you don’t like the long curtain look in your kitchen, try using something simple like blinds or shades without anything else. Doing this can keep your kitchen trendy without feeling heavy.

Should door curtains touch the floor?

There are no rules that say you must have long curtains on the door. However, if that’s the style you like, the curtains should hover over the floor, not touch it. If you have curtains that touch the floor, you may have problems opening and shutting your door.

Final Thoughts

Curtains look best when they touch the floor, puddle, or hover. However, your home should fit your personal taste – so if you don’t like this trend, don’t follow it.

To measure accurately before purchasing curtains, remember to take into account how far up your curtain rod will be.