The short answer: mount the rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame (higher if you want the ceiling to look taller), let it extend 3 to 6 inches past each side, and choose panels that skim the floor with a combined width of roughly 1.5 to 2.5 times the window. The rest of this guide explains how to adjust those numbers for your room. The figures come from published guidance by This Old House, Crate & Barrel and Homes & Gardens; where they differ, I say so.
Key takeaways
- Hang the rod above the frame, not on it: 4 to 6 inches is the usual starting point.
- Extend the rod 3 to 6 inches beyond the window on each side so the glass stays uncovered when the curtains are open.
- Measure length from the rod to the floor, not from the window.
- Fuller panels look more expensive: aim for about 1.5 to 2.5 times the window width.
Step 1: Decide How High the Rod Goes
Most guides start at about 4 inches above the window trim. Crate & Barrel suggests marking 4 to 6 inches above the frame when you are working with shorter panels, and notes that rod height is better judged against the ceiling than against the window. The closer the rod sits to the ceiling, the taller the room reads. If you have a crown moulding or a low ceiling, a few extra inches are usually all you need; mounting at the ceiling line only makes sense when the panels are long enough to reach the floor from there.
Step 2: Set the Width of the Rod
Let the rod extend 3 to 6 inches past the frame on each side. This Old House gives 2 to 5 inches per side for partial coverage and a much wider overhang if you want the panels to hang entirely clear of the glass. Wider stacking space means the curtains cover the wall rather than the window, which lets in more daylight and makes a narrow window look broader. Our guide to curtain ideas that make a living room look bigger shows how that plays out room by room.
Step 3: Choose the Right Panel Width
Crate & Barrel recommends panels about 1 to 1.5 times the window width in small spaces and around 2 to 2.5 times in larger ones. Thin, flat panels that only just cover the window look sparse when closed. Fullness is what creates the soft folds people associate with a finished room. When you shop, add up the width of all panels in the pair and compare it with the width of the rod you plan to use, not the glass.
Step 4: Pick a Length Style
Homes & Gardens describes four floor-length finishes, plus a sill option for awkward spots:
- Skimming the floor (“kissing”): the most common designer choice. Quoted designers leave a gap of about a quarter to half an inch so the panels move freely.
- Break: a couple of extra inches of fabric fold gently at the floor. Romantic, but slightly more to clean.
- Puddle: roughly 1 to 3 inches extra, or more for drama. It collects dust and can be a trip hazard, so it suits low-traffic rooms.
- Sill length: in kitchens, bathrooms, or over a radiator or deep sill, stop about half an inch above the sill.
Measure from the rod down, and take a few readings across the width, because floors are rarely level.
Step 5: Install Securely
Use a stud finder, or wall anchors rated for the weight of lined curtains, which are heavier than they look. For long or thin rods, This Old House advises adding a centre support bracket once the rod passes about 4 feet. Use a level on the brackets rather than trusting the window frame, which is often slightly out of true.
Room-by-Room Adjustments
Bedrooms: deeper stacking space and full-length lined panels help with light control, and a rod mounted high keeps the bed wall looking calm. For a moody scheme, see how the fabrics work in dark and moody bedrooms.
Living rooms: choose a rod and finials that echo other metals in the room, and check how the panels sit alongside your living room rug so the hem does not clash with a thick pile.
Narrow halls and entry windows: sill-length panels stop curtains from catching on doors; hallway decorating ideas cover what else to do with these tight spaces.
Bathrooms: if you are hanging a shower curtain rather than window panels, the same logic applies at a smaller scale. Our piece on retro shower curtains covers patterns and hanging height.
Common Mistakes
- Mounting the rod directly on the window frame, which shortens the whole wall.
- Buying panels that only just match the window width.
- Leaving curtains several inches off the floor, which reads as an error rather than a choice.
- Forgetting that mirrors and lamps change how light falls on the fabric. A well-placed mirror or some ambient lighting can make the folds look richer after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should I hang curtains above a window?
Start with 4 to 6 inches above the frame. Going higher, toward the ceiling, makes the room look taller as long as the panels still reach the floor.
How far should a curtain rod extend past the window?
About 3 to 6 inches on each side is a common range. More space lets the panels stack off the glass.
How wide should curtain panels be?
Around 1 to 1.5 times the window width in small rooms and 2 to 2.5 times in larger ones, according to Crate & Barrel.
Should curtains touch the floor?
Skimming the floor with a small gap is the usual designer choice. Breaking or puddling is a style option that needs more upkeep.
Do I measure from the window or the rod?
Always from the rod to the floor, since the rod is where the fabric hangs.
What if I cannot mount the rod high?
Over a deep sill, radiator or in a kitchen, use sill-length panels ending about half an inch above the sill.
