Комментарии
How to Hang Your Curtains Just Right
Learn key methods and measurements for fullness and stacking to get your window treatments on the right track
tidgboutique
12 октября, 2021
Any drapery can serve the practical purpose of blocking light and boosting privacy, but a perfectly fitted treatment also can change the apparent size of a room, hide or correct awkward windows and give your space a sharp, orderly appearance, no matter if your aesthetic is traditional or modern. To help you get your curtains just right, here are some guidelines for height, width, installation and more.
Tall and Long
Even the humblest draperies can benefit from two key rules: In almost every scenario, the best place to hang a drapery is at the ceiling line — either right at the ceiling or just below a bulkhead or molding — and stretching down to the floor.
This gives the longest possible appearance, which can make small spaces look larger and large spaces look grand.
Find an interior designer near you
Even the humblest draperies can benefit from two key rules: In almost every scenario, the best place to hang a drapery is at the ceiling line — either right at the ceiling or just below a bulkhead or molding — and stretching down to the floor.
This gives the longest possible appearance, which can make small spaces look larger and large spaces look grand.
Find an interior designer near you
Whether the window is high or low, big or small, or even an odd shape, two simple floor-to-ceiling panels flanking it will clean up the look perfectly — especially when shut.
Shop for window treatments on Houzz
Shop for window treatments on Houzz
Having the curtains hit just at the floor (or about one-quarter inch above) is the most common contemporary look, but you can get a charming, romantic effect by letting them pool slightly on the floor.
In this case, let about 1 to 2 inches of material hit the floor to create a bit of buckling. Just be sure to keep the floor free of debris so that your curtains don’t turn into a dust broom.
In this case, let about 1 to 2 inches of material hit the floor to create a bit of buckling. Just be sure to keep the floor free of debris so that your curtains don’t turn into a dust broom.
Straight Across
Using pairs of panels on one long curtain rod or track is usually the most polished option, even for complex sets of windows, such as a bay window, or a wall with windows and patio doors.
Using pairs of panels on one long curtain rod or track is usually the most polished option, even for complex sets of windows, such as a bay window, or a wall with windows and patio doors.
Here, each door has its own set of curtains so that they’re independently accessible, but they’re hung straight across from one continuous curtain rod, which keeps the look organized.
Wall to Wall
Another no-brainer approach is to simply curtain an area wall to wall. This helps erase any oddly placed windows and creates a clean plane, making for a beautiful backdrop to other design elements.
Another no-brainer approach is to simply curtain an area wall to wall. This helps erase any oddly placed windows and creates a clean plane, making for a beautiful backdrop to other design elements.
In general, breezy off-white sheer curtains are a great way to cover any size, shape or number of windows, letting light filter in without weighing down the room.
Read more about how to use sheer curtains
Read more about how to use sheer curtains
However, solid curtains also can look fantastic wall to wall, especially if you layer furniture in front of them. You can even layer art or a mirror on them for added interest by including a slit in the curtain to allow a point of attachment back to the wall.
Keep in mind that if you choose a dark color for wall-to-wall drapes, you’ll want to balance them with a dark object on the opposite side of the room. When in doubt, a light or midtone material will appear less heavy.
Keep in mind that if you choose a dark color for wall-to-wall drapes, you’ll want to balance them with a dark object on the opposite side of the room. When in doubt, a light or midtone material will appear less heavy.
Fullness and Stacking
It’s important to remember that the literal width of a set of curtain panels shouldn’t simply equal the width of the curtain rod. This is for two important reasons: fullness and stacking.
Fullness refers to the fabric width needed to give the curtains a pleasant, natural wave (rather than trying to have them stretch tautly and awkwardly across a wall when closed).
Typical fullness for curtain width is 2½ times the rod width. Tripling the rod width is a more luxurious option, especially for thinner, flexible fabrics like sheers.
It’s important to remember that the literal width of a set of curtain panels shouldn’t simply equal the width of the curtain rod. This is for two important reasons: fullness and stacking.
Fullness refers to the fabric width needed to give the curtains a pleasant, natural wave (rather than trying to have them stretch tautly and awkwardly across a wall when closed).
Typical fullness for curtain width is 2½ times the rod width. Tripling the rod width is a more luxurious option, especially for thinner, flexible fabrics like sheers.
Stacking refers to the bunching up of curtains as they’re drawn open — all that folded fabric can squeeze together only so tightly and will still take up significant space on the rod when the curtains are open. This means that if you want a curtain to open fully and uncover a window completely, the rod or track will need extra length at the end to allow the curtain to “stack” out of the way of the window.
The exact stacking space required will vary greatly with material thickness and flexibility, so it’s best to consult an expert. However, as a general rule, a light, unlined curtain will require 10% to 15% of the panel width to stack, while a heavier, lined drape will need 20% to 25%.
Therefore, if you want your drape to open wide enough to reveal the whole window, the rod or track should be this percentage wider than the window itself.
Therefore, if you want your drape to open wide enough to reveal the whole window, the rod or track should be this percentage wider than the window itself.
In situations where a lot of stacking space simply isn’t available, such as with adjacent windows like these, you may want to stick to lighter, breezier fabrics that won’t bunch up too much.
Alternatively, you can choose a rich fabric (with great light-blocking abilities) and simply accept that the curtains won’t draw open completely. This full look can be quite stylish, and as long as the window or door is still operable when necessary, that’s all you really need.
A Note on Stacking
Besides taking up space, the stacking of patterned curtains can dramatically change their look from how they appear when drawn shut. When selecting a fabric, try to get your hands on a sizable sample so that you can see how the material looks folded. This will give you a much more accurate idea of how the curtains will look installed.
Notice how the curtain in this room goes from looking like a series of circles when shut to looking like perfect stripes when stacked. This can be quite a surprising change.
Besides taking up space, the stacking of patterned curtains can dramatically change their look from how they appear when drawn shut. When selecting a fabric, try to get your hands on a sizable sample so that you can see how the material looks folded. This will give you a much more accurate idea of how the curtains will look installed.
Notice how the curtain in this room goes from looking like a series of circles when shut to looking like perfect stripes when stacked. This can be quite a surprising change.
In-Window Shades
Another smart option for tight spaces is to use an in-window shade, rather than hanging a curtain. This can look sharply modern in a solid color or more romantic and traditional in a charming pattern.
Either way, a shade that sits inside the window frame won’t need any extra stacking space at the sides. Instead, it will need to stack at the top, so again, a thinner fabric will ensure that you can reveal as much of the window as possible when the shade is up.
More on Houzz
How to Choose the Right Curtains
Read more decorating guides
Find home professionals
Shop for home products
Another smart option for tight spaces is to use an in-window shade, rather than hanging a curtain. This can look sharply modern in a solid color or more romantic and traditional in a charming pattern.
Either way, a shade that sits inside the window frame won’t need any extra stacking space at the sides. Instead, it will need to stack at the top, so again, a thinner fabric will ensure that you can reveal as much of the window as possible when the shade is up.
More on Houzz
How to Choose the Right Curtains
Read more decorating guides
Find home professionals
Shop for home products
Похожие статьи
Статья практикующего дизайнера
Пошаговое руководство: Как выбрать своего дизайнера интерьера
Автор: Natalia Mitina
Практикующий дизайнер описывает методику поиска автора вашего будущего проекта
Читать
Советы по декору
Вопрос: Как определить, какого размера ковер вам нужен
Автор: Ольга Божко
Перед тем как завести ковер или расположить уже имеющийся — повторим несколько правил
Читать
Статьи о кухнях
Что лучше: Матовый или глянцевый фасад для кухни
Автор: Евгения Назарова
Как отметил один из дизайнеров, вопрос уровня «брюки или юбка». И все же
Читать
Статьи про наведение порядка
Все запущено: Как навести порядок в квартире и начать новую жизнь
Автор: Юлия Володина
Мы за интеллектуальный подход к уборке, потому составляем план действий, чтобы разобрать домашние завалы
Читать
Советы для маленьких комнат
Скромные метры: 12 мест для хранения, которые вы зря игнорировали
Автор: Юлия Девятова
Используйте каждый квадратный сантиметр с пользой — изучите наши идеи для хранения
Читать
Почему не мне
Почему не мне это пришло в голову: 17 идей в закладки
Автор: houzzrussia
Так тоже можно! Сохраните в закладки, вдруг пригодится
Читать
Статья практикующего дизайнера
Эргономика: Как правильно вешать светильники
Автор: Наталья Преображенская
Важно всё: высота относительно пола, потолка, уровня глаз. И даже габариты мебели в комнате
Читать
Статьи про наведение порядка
Где сушить белье в квартире... красиво
Автор: Екатерина Кулиничева
Если не хочется развешивать его над ванной и ставить сушилку посреди гостиной. А балкона — нет
Читать
Советы по ремонту
Как выбирать строителей: 11 советов от дизайнера интерьеров
Автор: Дарья Харитонова
Чтобы ремонт не превратился в кошмар, выберите правильного подрядчика
Читать
Статьи о кухнях
Дизайн-дебаты: Надо ли планировать кухню по рабочему треугольнику
Автор: Татьяна Гронская
Правило рабочего треугольника помогает экономить силы и время на кухне. Но часто ли применяют это правило на практике?
Читать