When it comes to home décor, one of the crucial yet often overlooked elements is the choice of curtains.
This aspect of interior design goes beyond mere window dressing; it involves a blend of functionality, aesthetics, and the subtle art of room styling.
Curtains do more than just block light or offer privacy; they play a pivotal role in defining the character and feel of a space.
Among the myriad of considerations in curtain selection, length stands out as a key factor that can dramatically alter the perception and ambiance of a room.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various types of curtains based on their length.
This post aims to broaden your understanding and help you make informed decisions about the type of curtains that best suit your space and style.
TL;DR
- 🌟 Yes, your curtains should be floor length in most situations.
- 🌞 Raising the curtain rod enhances room height and spaciousness.
- 🏡 A one-inch gap between the curtain hem and floor suits contemporary styles.
- 🏠 Wide curtain panels add elegance when closed.
- 🧺 Opt for machine-washable curtain fabrics for easy care.
- 💡 Choose curtains that match your lifestyle, like durable fabrics for homes with kids or pets.
- 🏘️ Curtains should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Curtains Based On The Type of Room
When buying curtains for your home, the best way to select the right one is by going through the room.
For example – for your living room, you should buy a welcoming, cheerful, brightening, color curtain, both patterns, and the solid color goes.
For your bedroom, try to choose a color that is medium-dark; too dark would make your room seem a bit small and not have even a little bit of moonlight enter in; medium-dark colors will make your room dark while bringing a little bit of moonlight too.
Lastly, for your kitchen, most people opt for solid, bright colors. However, you can also choose blinds as they are easy.
Should Curtains Touch the Floor?
Absolutely, floor-length curtains are usually the way to go. They’re not just about looking chic and contemporary; they also bring some handy perks.
Think about better insulation and blocking out light, which helps keep those chilly drafts at bay. It’s a smart mix of cool style and practical benefits!
Types of Curtains Based On The Length
One thing that is quite important but mostly no one talks about is the length of your curtain.
The length of the curtains matters the most, wherein a floor-touched curtain goes well in your living room, and a short curtain goes well in the kitchen.
Similarly, there are many other types of curtains with varying lengths.
We will look at some of these lengths below, and you can then choose the best curtain accordingly.
1. Exceeding the Floor
These types of curtains are also known as ‘Puddles,’ and they sweep their way away on the floor. These are usually 6-10 inches long, a bit more than the length a normal curtain has.
This type of curtain is usually found in luxurious hotels, homes, and palaces wherein you do not have to open or close them or even wash them on a regular basis, and with the no pets or kids allowed rule.
If we go back to ancient times, then puddles were quite famous in French culture, with high ceilings, tall windows, and luxurious and expensive fabrics.
You can, however, use this type of curtain on a simple decor, but for that, you will need to have a strong sense of architecture to pull this, look off completely, and leave everyone in awe.
Even if you have pets, you can make sure that these curtains go to a room where they are not allowed to go, like a small exclusive room meant for spilling out secrets, talking to someone alone, holding meetings, or taking an interview; you get the rest of it.
While choosing the fabric, you should go for silk since that is meant to swell a lot and brings out a nice touch and feel to it.
Not just for curtains, we all love silk dresses too. Also, remember how expensive they are, and so would be the curtains.
Another fabric you can choose is sheer linen; this fabric would be perfect to create a sweet little bohemian room in your home, and it will be perfect for a romantic date or a cup of tea with your loved ones.
2. On or a Little Above the Floor
This type of curtain is the most common one you will find in all households. This curtain either touches the floor or is just ½ inches above the floor. These curtains are quite popular these days, as they are stylish and sophisticated and go well in any room.
The length of these curtains is mainly 63 inches long; they are so long that they make your ceilings seem taller and your room classier and more polished.
If you are buying curtains that are hovering above the floor, it will be better if you do not want the dust or dirt to settle down on the bottom.
And the best part is that you can place them in any room except the kitchen and bathroom.
If you are comfortable with the dust (by washing the curtains regularly), pets, and even children using them as a swing, then you can also choose the curtains that touch the floor.
The one side effect of the floor curtains is that they make your room look too formal, so if you have a solid color wall and wish to have some printed or textured curtains, these might not be the one.
The most essential step in choosing these curtains is not just selecting the length but also the width of the curtain. For these curtains, you should first measure the width of your window and then double it for a more balanced look.
3. Trousers-Like
This curtain is a mix of ‘Puddles’, and ‘Floor’ curtains since it is not long enough like a puddle and not too short like a floor curtain, it is in between both, and has the length just like your trousers do. You may refer to this curtain as a ‘kiss on the floor’ or ‘like a trouser.’
These curtains, when laid down on the floor, create a dramatic and spectacular look, and you may not find these curtains in most households because they can be a little out of budget.
You should hang these curtains near a window as they would make your window look a whole different, but be careful of the dust and dirt lying around the bottom, too.
For this, you should try thicker fabrics like velvet or wool, which will give your room a tailored look.
These and the ‘Puddles’ curtains should be hung on those rooms where you go either for a ‘me time’, or to hold important meetings, or guests, where children and pets aren’t allowed.
When you hang these curtains make sure that your rod is a little above where your window is placed, doing so will allow the fabric to neither block out the amazing view from your window and nor it will stop the full sunlight to come in.
You can try medium-weight curtains, too, but not the light fabrics, as those will just keep on swinging here and there, and then you will have to tie them up rather than keep them open.
4. Floor-To-Ceiling
These are the last long curtains there are in the market. These curtains have a unique story behind them, you may have noticed that whenever you walk on a road you always glance at the two white lines or the yellow lines, and if when you go up the stairs of your home both inside and outside then also you are focused on the lines.
In a similar way, the floor-to-ceiling curtains are made for lines, if you already have long ceilings in your apartment, you should try these long curtains and see the change.
Hanging long curtains anywhere does make your room seem taller even when it is not; when you hang up your curtains by the ceiling at the highest point, your eyes will automatically follow the lines and go straight up to look how tall it is.
These curtains are also helpful in dividing the space, like if you want to hide a window seat or put it in between the room, thereby making it half.
Make sure that when you are putting this curtain, it touches the ground because that is the whole purpose of looking from the ground up above to the ceiling.
Short Curtains – Mostly, if we look at curtains, we see long ones and never short ones; however, two types of short curtains are stylish and give your room that cute, comfortable feeling. Let us have a look at these two curtains –
5. Still or Café
These curtains are ½ inch above the windowsill, and you may have seen these curtains mostly in cafés wherein they just want to have a nice drape by the window and not all the way down because the customers can slip, or the curtains might get dirty.
You can even put up these curtains in your kitchen since you will not want any dish soap or water tangling on it, you can use these curtains which will be above your sink, providing a nice little look just like in movies.
Surprisingly enough if you have a little window right beside your bathtub, you can hang these curtains over there too, it will give you a quite busy ‘me’ time, but also not blocking away all the sunlight to enter.
It gives that casual vibe you want in your rooms, not too dramatic but also not too dull. You can go from solid colors to bright patterns, some fruity ones for your kitchen, some breezy oceanic ones for your bathroom, etc. You can opt for sheer curtains or silk curtains, which will feel smooth when touched and will not block all the light coming in, even if you intend to close them.
6. Apron
Apron curtains go in length till about the baseboard of your window, if you see it frankly not most of the households will have short curtains, however, there are always exceptions, and one’s perspective to see.
You will see most of the short curtains hanging up in the kid’s room, wherein their sticky toes and fingers do not touch, and mostly above the heat radiators in any room so that the curtain does not catch flame.
While hanging the short curtains make sure that they are either till the windowsill or reaching the top of the baseboard, any level below that would not be considered as a short curtain. These curtains will not catch any dirt or dust and will be easy to open, close, and wash on a regular basis.
Mostly, these curtains should only be used where you have a large piece of furniture that might block the curtain’s presence if kept beside it, like near a window, in your kitchen, above your sideboards, above the radiators, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, no, curtains should not necessarily touch the floor, if you want you can hang up short or sill curtains for that comfy, casual, breezy look where you just want to sit quietly by yourself, reading a book, or sipping a cup of coffee while admiring the beauty of nature.
Or where you want to cook your favorite meal for your loved ones and want that slight breeze to wipe off the sweat from your face while maintaining the ventilation.
Short curtains might not be that up-to-date, but they are not out of the market, and long curtains,, as usual,, are popular.
So, it is up to you to choose which curtain would fit perfectly in your room and go through a varied selection of colors and prints.
Just make sure to carefully check the measurements of your rods too, for long curtains use higher rods, for short curtains, place them at a lower angle.
