Curtains Too Short? Try This Simple Hack to Make Curtains Longer

Ever buy brand new curtains only to take them home and find out they’re too short? I have, and it’s so frustrating!

Curtains are the ultimate easy room refresh, but because there’s so much variety in window and wall height, it’s not always easy to find curtains that are the right length. 

The good news is you can easily fix curtains that are too short with some simple techniques. 

So if you’ve ever found yourself with a set of brand new curtains that just aren’t long enough, keep reading! I’ll share with you my step by step process to lengthen them.

Let’s get started!

How long should curtains be?

Before you start on a project, let’s make sure your curtains actually need it, first!

So how long should your curtains be? In my experience, you get the best look when curtains almost reach the floor. Aim for your drapes to reach anywhere from ¼ inch to 1 inch from the floor. 

This length will make the room appear taller and give it a more finished, polished, completed look.

But of course, most curtains come in standardized sizes which may or may not work for your home. 

What to do if your curtains are too short

Okay so you double-checked and your drapes are, in fact, too short. What do you do next?

Here are a few ideas to lengthen your curtains, from easiest to hardest. 

1. Add hooks to hang the curtains from the rod. Note this only works with curtains that have eyelets for the hooks or you can use clips like these. This change will add maybe 1-2 inches. So if your curtains are almost there, and you’re hanging them from a rod. This might be the easiest step!
2. Adjust the hem at the bottom of the curtain. Most store-bought curtains have a generous hem, about 2-3 inches. By undoing this hem and re-sewing a new, smaller hem (about 1 inch), you can lengthen your curtain by 1-2 inches.
3. Adjust the rod pocket size. Most store-bought drapes have a generous size rod pocket, if so, you can reduce the size of the rod pocket to gain and inch or two of length. Un-do the rod pocket and re-sew to a smaller size to fit your curtain rod.
4. Add a piece of fabric in the length and color that you prefer. This technique gives you the most control over the final length of the drapes and the final look. This is the technique I’ll demonstrate step by step below!

How I Made Store-Bought Curtains Longer by Adding a Panel

My dining room curtains were too short, with the bottom about 8 inches off the floor. I added a 9-inch panel in a complementary color about 1/3 of the distance from the top of the curtain to the bottom. 

Here’s how I made the drapes longer:

1. I selected my fabric for the added panel in a contrasting color to complement the original curtain color.
2. Take measurements:
   1. Measure from the top of the curtain rod to the floor to get the total length of curtain you want to end up with
   2. Measure your existing curtain length

1. Calculate panel length
   1. Subtract the length of the existing curtain from your desired curtain length. For me this was 8 inches. 
   2. Add two inches to get the panel length. This is because you will be subtracting ½ inch from each side of the panel, as well as each end of the curtains when you sew two ½-inch panels. (see illustration)
2. Calculate panel width
   1. Measure the existing curtain width
   2. Add 1 inch on each side to allow for a ½ inch double hem
3. Cut the new panel to the width and length calculated in steps 3 and 4. 
4. Decide where you want to insert the new panel (in this case about one third of the length down from the top) and measure that distance from the top of the curtain.

1. Cut across the curtain at the measured distance. You should now have two pieces of curtain plus the panel.

1. Pin the panel to the two pieces of the curtain, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. 

1. Using a straight stitch, attach the new fabric panel to the original curtain. There should be one inch of overhang on each side of the curtain.

1. Iron the sewn seams to make sure they are flat.
2. Fold the overhanging piece of fabric at the side of the panel in half, iron, and fold in half again to align with the existing curtain side hem, iron again. Sew with a straight stitch.

Before and After

By adding this extra panel, I was able to get my curtains to the length I wanted. 

I chose to add a new fabric panel not just because it added the most length, but also to add an element of interest and customize the final look. 

Take a look at the final project!

Final Thoughts

There are even simpler steps you can take to quickly add length to your curtains, like changing from curtain rods to curtain rings.

But if you’re up for some simple sewing, adding a curtain panel can add all the extra length you need to your curtains.

Looking for more help with your curtains? Check out my other blog posts covering everything you need to know about curtains for your home:

Curtain length guide

Curtain trends

Types of curtains

If you’re here, you probably want your home to reflect your unique lifestyle and taste. That’s why I love home DIY! You can make your entire home 100% you. 

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