Rule of Thumb for Curtains: How to Get Curtain Size and Hang Just Right
Jun, 12 2025
Ever measure a window, pick up curtains, hang them up—and then stare in disappointment? You’re not alone. Curtains mess up a lot of rooms just because they’re the wrong size or they’re hung in the wrong spot. There really are some solid rules of thumb for curtain size and placement that save time and money.
The basic move? Add eight to twelve inches on each side of your window for curtain rod width. This way, when curtains are open, you’re not blocking sunlight. For height, don’t hang directly on top of the window frame. Go up—at least halfway between the frame and the ceiling, or even all the way up if you’ve got the space. This makes windows look bigger and pulls the eye up, which helps rooms feel taller. You don’t need to guess—there are go-to sizes and simple strategies for every setup, and it doesn’t matter if your place is big or tiny.
- Why Getting Curtain Sizing Right Matters
- Curtain Width and Length: Simple Rules
- How High and Wide Should You Hang Curtains?
- Common Mistakes and Bonus Tips
Why Getting Curtain Sizing Right Matters
You might think picking curtains is just about picking a look, but the size and fit make all the difference. Get it wrong and your windows can look squished, your room can feel smaller, and you’ll block more light than you planned. No one wants a gloomy living room just because the drapes are off.
Here’s what happens when curtain sizes are off:
- Too short and it looks awkward—like pants that shrank in the wash.
- Not wide enough and you’ll never get full coverage when you want privacy or blocking out the sun.
- If curtain rods are placed too low or too close to the window edge, the whole wall looks cramped.
People usually underestimate how much difference those extra inches make. Interior designers say hanging curtains higher and wider than the window can actually boost how big a room looks. I tried this trick in my living room and—no joke—it looked like we suddenly had bigger windows.
Check out some quick numbers:
| Problem | Result |
|---|---|
| Curtains too short | Room feels unfinished, ceilings look lower |
| Curtains too narrow | Can't fully close, poor privacy/light control |
| Rod mounted right above frame | Window looks small, cramped vibe |
Bottom line: nailing curtain size makes your windows—and the whole room—look better. Plus, you get to control how much sunlight and privacy you want. If you want your space to feel pulled together and brighter, getting the curtains right is step one.
Curtain Width and Length: Simple Rules
Shopping for curtains can feel like a guessing game, but there are hard-and-fast numbers that take out the guesswork. The old 'measure the window and you’re good' advice is actually way off. To get that full, balanced look, you need more fabric than most store-bought panels actually provide.
First, let’s talk width. The rule of thumb is your total curtain width should be about two to two-and-a-half times wider than the window itself. This gives you the ‘gathered’ look when the curtains are closed—think hotel-style, instead of a flat sheet hanging there. For example, if your window is 50 inches wide, go for curtains with a combined width of 100 to 125 inches. If you’re using two panels, that’s 50 to 62 inches per panel.
| Window Width (inches) | Ideal Curtain Width (inches) |
|---|---|
| 36 | 72 - 90 |
| 48 | 96 - 120 |
| 60 | 120 - 150 |
Length matters, too. Here’s where folks mess up the most: hanging curtains that flood above the floor or barely skim the window sill. If you want a clean, modern look, go for curtains that hang just above the floor—about half an inch to an inch. Want a cozy feel? Let the fabric just puddle on the ground by an extra two inches. Avoid anything that stops awkwardly at the bottom of the window, unless there’s a radiator or furniture in the way.
- If your ceiling is high, floor-to-ceiling panels add drama.
- Standard curtain panels come in 63, 84, 96, and 108 inches. Most average homes need at least 84 or 96 inches for a pro look.
- Remember to measure from where you’ll actually hang the rod, not from the top of the window.
So if you walk into a store, don’t get stuck on the first size you see. Pull out that tape measure, do some quick math, and keep this curtains sizing rule handy. That’s how you get curtains that don’t just cover windows, but actually make the room look sharper.
How High and Wide Should You Hang Curtains?
This part can make or break the whole window look. The rule of thumb for hanging curtains is simple: go higher and wider than your window. It sounds basic but changes everything. If you hang your curtains right at the top of the window frame, it chops the height of the room down. Raise the rod and you instantly fake taller windows and which makes ceilings feel higher.
So, how high is high enough? Most decorators suggest putting the rod at least 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. If you’ve got the room, push it as close as possible to the ceiling, especially if you live in a place with low ceilings. I’ve heard folks at big-box stores recommend going about 2/3 of the way between the top of the frame and the ceiling. The curtain rod should be sturdy, since curtains get heavy—especially blackout ones.
Now, let’s talk width. Extend the curtain rod out past the window frame by 8 to 12 inches on both sides. That way, when your panels are open, almost nobody’s blocking the glass, so you get more daylight (and your window looks bigger). If you want a super-dramatic look, go up to 16 inches out. Here’s a quick look at standard heights and widths people use:
| Window Type | Rod Height Above Frame | Rod Width Past Frame (Each Side) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 4-6 inches | 8-12 inches |
| Tall Ceilings | 8-12 inches (or up to ceiling) | 12-16 inches |
| Small Rooms | Close to ceiling | 8 inches |
Here’s the short and sweet version:
- Always go wider and higher than your window frame.
- Aim for at least 4-6 inches above, and 8-12 inches out.
- If in doubt, mount closer to the ceiling—especially in tight or dark rooms.
- Get a rod that’s strong enough for your curtain’s weight.
Hanging high and wide also means you get to show off more of your wall color or wallpaper, and the room opens up visually. Elena and I did this in our last apartment and doubled the daylight in our living room. It was such a quick fix, we wondered why we hadn’t done it sooner.
Common Mistakes and Bonus Tips
It’s wild how often people get curtain hanging wrong, and it’s usually just little details that mess things up. The number one mistake? Buying curtains that are too short or too skinny. Short curtains make the whole room look cramped, like someone bought pants that are just a tad too small. And if the curtains just cover the window and not much more, everything looks off—kind of like a picture in a tiny frame.
One thing that always trips people up is ignoring the stack back—the space curtains take up when they’re fully open. If you want your window to actually show, you’ve got to add at least 8 inches on each side for the rod, or more if space allows. Skimp on this and you’ll block precious daylight.
- Don’t use curtains that barely brush the window trim. Go longer—let them touch the floor or puddle for a cozier look.
- If you have a low ceiling, take the curtain rod up higher than the frame. This draws the eyes up and adds fake height.
- Always iron or steam new curtains. Nothing screams “I gave up” like creased fresh-out-of-the-bag panels.
- Use lining or thicker fabric if you want real privacy or to block out more light. Sheers are great, but they don’t cut it for bedrooms when the sun comes up at 6 AM.
Check this out: a 2023 survey by Home Trends found that 61% of homeowners regretted their first curtain purchase—most because they underestimated the width and length needed. Turns out, the little details hit wallets and patience hard.
| Mistake | Easy Fix |
|---|---|
| Too short curtains | Get panels at least 6 inches longer than the window |
| Rod too close to window | Install rod 4-6 inches above frame, or more if possible |
| Not enough curtain width | Aim for curtain panels 2x the window's width |
| Creased panels | Steam or iron before hanging |
Don’t just take my word for it either. According to designer Emily Henderson,
“Curtains are the easiest way to make your home look intentionally designed, but you’ve got to go wider and higher than you think. Err on the side of drama, not caution.”
If you only remember one thing, make it this: nail the curtain length and width first. Once you sort that out, almost everything else falls into place.