What length do curtains come in? Your complete curtain length guide

What length do curtains come in? And what length should you choose?

Curtains help define the style and look of a room. They are like jewelry that adds that extra touch to make a room feel formal or relaxed, depending on your taste and style.

And just like there are different sizes and lengths of necklaces, there are different sizes and lengths of curtains. And they can really change up the feel of your room!

In this guide we’ll go over how to find the proper length of curtains for your room, where to buy correctly sized curtains, and what to do if you can’t find the right size. 

So let’s get started!

Why does curtain length matter? 

The length of curtains is important because it helps define the space of the room. 

Tall curtains (floor to ceiling) can make the room appear taller and more spacious as well as providing a polished, finished look. 

By contrast, short curtains can make a room feel awkward, messy and unfinished in some rooms. 

Short curtains do have their place in some rooms, bathrooms and kitchens for example. This is because you may not have full-length windows in these rooms, or to make cleaning easier. 

How to know if your curtains are too long or too short?

To determine if curtains are too short or too long, ask yourself these questions:

• Do the curtains make the window look small and unimportant? Short curtains that only reach from the top of the window to the bottom of the window can make the window and room appear smaller. 
• What is the style and purpose of the room? Formal or casual?
  • Short curtains can clash with a formal style and make the ceiling appear shorter.
  • Long curtains can enhance the height of the room and solidify the formal appearance, as well as frame the window to make it the focal point of the room. 
• While there is a style for extra long curtains that puddle on the floor, in most rooms, they can make the room messy and cluttered, particularly in less formal décor styles. This style might work well in a formal dining room with minimal clutter, though.

For most situations, curtains that land 1-2” above the floor will be best. 

What length do curtains come in?

The standard curtain lengths found in stores and on-line are: 63, 84, 96, 108 and 120 inches long and typically the standard width is 48 inches. These lengths and widths correspond to most standard window sizes in homes. 

What to do if you can’t find the length you need?

If you can’t find curtains with the length you need, there are a few options:

• Order custom made curtains to fit your window size and decorating style. This option tends to be more expensive. 
• Buy a standard-length curtain closest to the size you want and adjust the length by one of several methods:
  • Hang from hooks.
  • Add a fabric panel. 
  • Adjust the rod pocket.
  • Adjust the hem.
  • A combination of the above.

These options tend to be less expensive, but require some basic sewing skills (except for the first option).

Final Thoughts

Getting the right length for your curtains is important. Too long, and your room can appear cluttered. Too short, and it can make the room seem smaller. 

Try to aim for curtains that land 1-2” above the floor. 

If none of the standard curtain lengths are the right length for your home, some basic sewing skills can help you achieve the right length. 

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