Not only do drapes provide privacy and filter the light, they can transform a room and add another layer of warmth and personality. And when hung right, they also lend a sense of grandeur. There are a few things to consider before you select and hang your curtains, so take a look at our tips below.
You have to ask yourself what you want to accomplish with your drapery. If you’re looking for privacy and the ability to block light, you need lined panels. If you simply want to filter the light, a pair of unlined sheers is a beautiful choice. You also have to consider the mood of the room. For a more formal setting, you may want a dressier texture, such as dupioni silk or velvet. Cotton or linen panels, on the other hand, impart a more casual feel.
First, you’ll need to determine how high you want to hang your drapes. Once you know where to mount your rod, all you have to do is measure from the floor up to that point to arrive at the correct length of panel. Generally, you want to mount your rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame or halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling. Keep in mind, ready-made drapery panels typically come in 84-, 96- and 108-inch lengths, so you may have to round up to the closest panel size or move your rod an inch or two to accommodate the length. Ideally, you want your drapery to make contact with the floor or float down past the floor no more than 2 to 3 inches. In any event, it’s better to have to hem them a bit or let them puddle than to have drapes that are too short (the equivalent to wearing high waters).
That depends on whether you plan on closing your drapery. If you do want to have the option to close them, you need a combined width of drapery that is two to two-and-a-half times the total width of your window. Ready-made drapery panels are generally 50 to 54 inches wide, so you may need to buy multiple panels for more fullness. However, if you only want to frame the window with your drapery and won’t be closing them, you can round down to one-and-a-half times the width of your window. Therefore, one panel on each side may be sufficient.
When you’re ready to hang your drapes, remember to hang them outside the window molding to accentuate your window. Extend your rod anywhere from 6 to 12 inches beyond the window frame on each side. Just like jewelry, you can use decorative rods with finials, brackets and tiebacks to change the look of your drapery and to match the mood of your decor. If you use a wall mount tieback to tuck your drapery behind, install it on the wall two-thirds of the way down the window.