Natural light streaming into your home is a beautiful thing—except, that is, when you want to sleep or get some privacy. Yes, curtains are pretty much a necessity regardless of where you live, and you’ll want to do some research before buying them to ensure that you get the right size and style for your home.
To help take the guesswork out of the process, we’ve put together this quick guide on how to choose curtains, and all of the extras that come with them.
Figure Out How Long They Need to Be
Length is one of the biggest factors to consider when you’re choosing curtains. There are five standard curtain lengths: 63 inches, 84 inches, 95 inches, 108 inches, and 120 inches. How long you go depends on the height of your windows and ceilings, and the look that you’re trying to achieve. Curtain lengths are determined by measuring from the rod pocket—which is where your curtain hangs off the curtain rod—to the bottom of the fabric.
(Note that there are also short curtains, called tier curtains, that only cover part of the window. These typically measure either 24 inches or 36 inches long.)
To figure out the curtain length you’ll need, you’ll want to come up with your rod to floor height. Determine where your rod is going to be installed or measure from the existing rod down to where you want the curtains to hang—either the bottom of the window or all the way to the floor. Do this measurement in inches, since that is how curtain lengths are usually indicated in the U.S.
The standard curtain width is 45 inches. To determine if you’ll need one or two panels, measure the width of your window in inches and then add 12 inches to each side to account for rod overhang and to allow for your curtains to hang in gentle folds, instead of hanging taut.
Types of curtains by length:
When you’re shopping for curtains, it can be helpful to search by certain keywords, instead of just by length. Here are the common terms that are used.
- Tier curtains – Short curtains that cover just a portion of the window.
- Apron curtains – Curtains that hang just below the bottom of the window.
- Floor curtains – Curtains that reach down to the floor. Usually look best when paired with a rod that’s closer to the ceiling.
- Puddle curtains – Curtains that reach down to the floor with some remaining fabric puddling at the bottom. Again, pair these with a higher situated rod.
