Windows
How high should you hang curtains?
4–6" above the frame
Mount the rod 4–6" above the window frame, extend it 8–12" past the frame on each side, use panels 2–2.5× the window width, and hem them so they just kiss the floor.
The Exception
With a very low ceiling, go all the way to the ceiling line instead.
Curtain rod placement rules
Your ceiling height decides the bracket.
- Standard 8-foot ceilings
- Mount the rod 4 to 6 inches above the window trim. Going higher leaves an awkward, empty band of drywall above the window unless you cover it with a secondary shade.
- Tall 9- to 10-foot ceilings
- Mount the rod 8 to 12 inches above the window frame, or roughly halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling.
- Ceiling-height drama
- If the top of your window frame sits within 12 inches of the ceiling, mount the hardware 2 inches below the ceiling or crown molding for a seamless run.
8-ft ceiling
Rod 4–6" above trim
9–10-ft ceiling
Rod 8–12" above frame
Window near ceiling
Rod 2" below ceiling
Extend beyond the width
Never buy a rod the exact width of the window.
Extend the curtain rod 6 to 12 inches past the window frame on each side. That lets you pull the fabric completely off the glass when the curtains are open, which blocks less natural light and tricks the eye into reading the window as much wider than it is.
How the bottom should fall
Hang high, then buy long.
Because the rod is high, the panels must be longer so they don't float above the ground like high-water pants. Measure from your proposed rod height down to the floor, then choose one of three designer finishes.
The Float
½" off the floor
Pets, kids, high traffic
The Kiss
Grazes the floor
Tailored, custom look
The Puddle
2–4" of extra length
Formal, low-traffic rooms
Panel length calculator
Enter your ceiling height and the height to the top of your window frame (both from the floor, in inches).
Mount rod at
86"
Panel length
~84"
Buy stock size
84"
Standard ceiling — mount 4–6" above the window trim. Stock panels run long on purpose — hem down to your exact number rather than hanging short.