The Right Way To Hang Your Drapes

You might think hanging drapes is an easy job you can do quickly, but make sure you’re not making these decor mistakes.

Hanging Drapes Too Short

If your curtains are of the cafe style, you should keep them shorter, but any other drapes should stop just above the floor to look their best.

Using A Narrow Rod

You want a rod that is longer than your window length. This not only keeps the curtains and rods in proportion, but it makes your window look larger, which is great if you want to create that illusion in a smaller room.

Placing Rods Too Low

You might think you should place the rods just above the curtains, but this has the effect of making the ceilings look lower. Rods should actually be placed as close to the ceiling as possible to create the illusion of a higher ceiling and larger room.

Not Considering The Style Of Your Room

What’s the room’s overall style? Is it formal or more breezy and casual? This determines what kind of style you should choose for your drapes so that the overall style in the room is carried through.

Here are some of the most common drape styles: 

• Rod pocket curtains. These have rod pockets at the top of the curtains so that you can slide the rod through easily. They look good with sheer curtains underneath, but they provide a more formal and traditional style to your room
• Tab-top curtains. These have material tabs at the top and look a little more casual and modern
• Pinch-pleated curtains. These have pleats running from the top of the curtains down and are held together by clip rings. They’re great for patio doors or wider windows because they create a pleated, full effect. They can also be “dressier” options for windows if you want an elegant style
• Sheer curtains keep the look light and airy, so they’re perfect in rooms where you want to bring more light and create a relaxed atmosphere.

Getting Their Fullness Wrong

When the curtains are open, you don’t want them to look too thin on either side of your window. However, too much fabric is also bad as it can make the curtains look bunched up and heavy. To get the amount of fabric right, aim for curtains that are twice the size of your window. That way, they’ll flow properly and look beautiful whether opened or closed.

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