How far should Curtain Pole be above window
Christopher Anderson
Published Mar 31, 2026
A rule of thumb (from Architectural Digest) is that curtains should be hung between four to six inches above the window frame, so install your curtain rod accordingly. When you hang the curtain rod high, it will make the window appear taller.
How far should a curtain pole extend past window?
This can be subjective and is influenced by obstructions around the window area. But as a guide the pole should extend about 15-20cm (6-8in) beyond the window recess on each side. And it should be fitted symmetrically relative to the window opening.
How high should curtain rail be above window?
This also means that there is no limitation, other than any physical reason or obstruction, on what height you can fit your curtain pole at. The norm is usually about 15 to 20cms (6″ – 8″) above the window where space allows.
How far should Curtain Pole be either side of window?
For a typical window without architraves, we recommend poles/tracks overhang the width of the window by not less than 15cm (6″) each side (excluding finials). Mark the pole/track and check your measurements again. Then cut the pole to your required width (excluding finials).Where should curtain brackets be placed?
Each bracket should be placed at the height you previously determined and about four to six inches from the side of the window frame. (This will allow you to open the curtains completely.) Check to make sure your pencil marks are level otherwise the entire window treatment will be crooked.
How much fullness do you need for eyelet curtains?
– An eyelet curtain will usually have 2 x fullness = 100% of the track width. – A pinch pleat curtain requires more fabric to sew in the pleats as it gathers up tighter. As such you will require 2.5x the track width or 150% fullness.
How do you measure a curtain pole for a bay window?
Measure the width of the first side of your bay, where the pole is to be fitted, up to where it meets at the angle of the next section of the bay. Allow for an additional 15cm along this side so that the pole can pass past the window along the wall and your curtains can be pulled past the window when opened.
How far should curtain rods stick out from wall?
General Installation Recommendations. When installing curtain rods, hang the rod so that it extends at least 3 or 4 inches beyond the window on each side. This allows your curtains to overlap both the window and the wall to prevent light from leaking in around the window’s edges.How long should my curtain pole be?
We recommend that the track or pole sits 15-20cm above your window, and be wider than your window by 15-20cm on either side. If you have a track or pole already fitted, ensure you measure the full length.
Where should curtain tie backs be placed?Hang each tieback hook a third of the way up from the bottom of the curtain. Buffer three inches from the edge of the window. For example, if your curtain is 84 inches long, you would place the tieback about 28 inches from the bottom. A tieback for a 36-inch long cafe curtain would be placed 12 inches from the bottom.
Article first time published onHow high should you hang curtains with 8 foot ceiling?
How High to Hang Curtains 8 Foot Ceiling. An 8 foot ceiling is pretty standard for a residential home. With this standard height will be safe to put the rod about 6 inches above the top of the framing of the window. This avoids any extra framing and gives space between the frame and the rod.
How high do you hang 84 inch curtains with grommets?
If you are interested in a curtain with grommet tops, there will usually be an inch and half of fabric above the top of the grommet. Therefore, an 84 inch length curtain with grommet tops will have an actual hanging height of around 82.5 inches.
What size curtains fit a bay window?
To determine the number of panels, you should make sure that you double the width measurements of the window. Therefore, if the window is 40 inches wide, then you will need to have 80 inches of curtain panels to make sure that there are no gaps and the bay window is properly dressed.
What curtains to put on a bay window?
- Black Rods – These are my favorite because they are super inexpensive, easy to hang, and come in really long lengths.
- Grommet Curtain Panels – These are my favorite panels since they are really long and thicker/sturdier than usual off-the-shelf panels.
Can eyelet curtains go on any pole?
In theory all poles can be used for eyelet curtains, however they do tend to glide more smoothly and are more popular on a metal curtain pole. You can purchase some curtain poles specifically for eyelet curtains and rings are not supplied.
How much space should be between eyelets?
Generally, grommets are spaced about 6 inches apart on center. The first and last grommet are inset the space needed for the return to the wall, and in front of the window at the leading edge. If there is a window frame, blinds or shades on the window, you will want the spacing to clear what is behind the rod.
How thick should a curtain pole be?
Metal curtain poles are generally stronger than wood, so thinner diameters may be used when hanging medium to heavy weight curtains. We recommend a 28mm (1 1/8″) diameter for general curtain use and for all heavy interlined curtains you should use no less than a 35mm (1 3/8″) diameter or above.
How do you measure for curtain pole?
- Start by measuring the width of your window (A).
- To this measurement add B twice. Usually, B is 15cm (6″) and provides space needed for the curtains to be drawn back either side of the window.
- So to get the total length of your pole use A + B + B.
How far should curtains hang below window sill?
While fashion once dictated a “flood level” bottom line for curtains—one that hung just past the window sill, short enough that it would not get wet in a flood—today, style calls for curtains to either hang down to within ½-inch of the floor or even puddle slightly.
Should curtains touch the floor or window sill?
In formal or dressy rooms, curtains should just touch the floor. A romantic room deserves elegant, extra-long curtains that pool or puddle on the floor. Curtains to the sill, or to the bottom of the window trim (called the apron), look great and are practical in a kitchen.
Is it OK for curtains to drag on the floor?
Curtains that are dragging on the floor don’t look good either, can be a hazard, and collect dust more easily. How to fix it: Aim for the magic middle ground (literally)—curtains that hover just above the floor. To find the right curtain length, measure from the floor to where you’ll hang the rod.
How do you measure for curtain tie backs?
Measure 12 inches up from the bottom of the window or the curtains if the curtains are 55 inches long. Stand back while a friend pulls the curtain open at this level, and adjust it as necessary. Mark the wall at the desired level for the tieback.
How do you keep curtains from sliding on a rod?
- Extend the Curtain Rod. …
- Strengthen the Rod. …
- Hang Your Brackets Wide. …
- Make Sure the Curtain Rod is the Right Size. …
- Tighten the Screws. …
- Use Rubber Bands. …
- Duct Tape. …
- Command Strips.
How high should a curtain rod be for 84 inch curtains?
The length of the curtain dictates the height of the rod. If you buy 84-inch-long curtains, the rod must be mounted roughly 84 inches from the floor if the curtains hang from the rod without rings. This lets the hem of the curtains brush the floor.
Should curtains touch the ceiling?
Ceiling height plays a major role in how high you should hang your curtains. … It is often best to use the 4 to 6 inches above the window trim rule here unless the windows stretch close to the high ceilings. If there is little space between the trim and the ceiling, then hang the curtains from the ceiling.
Why are grommet curtains so popular?
Grommet drapery panels have been a popular choice for draperies for years because they offer a modern, sleek look. … Grommets allow the fabric to fall into folds creating a beautiful look from the top of the drape to the bottom of the drape.
Are grommet curtains easy to open and close?
Grommet Curtains Curtains with a grommet top have metal rings punched into the fabric that allow them to slide along the rod easily. This easy operation makes Grommet Curtains the perfect fit for draperies you want to open and close every day. … They look great with solid fabrics or geometric patterns.
Can you bend a curtain pole?
You can’t successfully bend any metal curtain poles to fit a bay window (well not unless you’re a blacksmith with your own forge anyway).
Are bay windows outdated?
Bay windows are a versatile home upgrade for many reasons. Some people think of them as traditional and outdated, but we think their many benefits make them worth considering — which is why we present these contemporary bay window ideas.