The Ultimate Guide to Curtain Etiquette: Rules for Perfect Windows
Last Updated, March 2025
Hi, I'm James, the owner of Dolcewe.com. I've made custom curtains for over 10 years. Our curtains start at just $26.99. I want to help you hang curtains the right way. Good curtains make a big difference in how your home looks.
Curtains do more than cover windows. They add style to your home. They give you privacy. They help control light. They can even save energy. Learning curtain rules will make your home look amazing.
Let me show you how to choose and hang curtains like a pro. I'll share tips from my years of helping customers. Together, we'll make your windows look their best!
Key Takeaways
| Section | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| Types of Curtains for Your Home | Match curtain types to your room style. Grommet curtains work best for modern homes, pinch pleats for formal rooms, rod pockets for simple styles, and tab tops for casual spaces. |
| The Most Important Rule: Hang High and Wide | Mount curtain rods 6-12 inches above windows and extend 4-6 inches on each side. This simple change makes windows look bigger and rooms feel taller. |
| How to Choose the Right Curtain Length | Choose floor-grazing curtains (1/2 inch above floor) for most rooms, pooling for formal spaces, and sill-length for areas with heaters or sinks. Proper length transforms the look of your window. |
| Picking the Best Fabric for Each Room | Use medium-weight fabrics for living rooms, blackout or heavy fabrics for bedrooms, and washable polyester for kitchens and bathrooms. The right fabric improves both function and appearance. |
| Layering Curtains for More Style and Function | Install double curtain rods to pair sheer curtains with heavier drapes. This gives you better light control and privacy options while adding visual depth to your windows. |
| Common Curtain Mistakes to Avoid | Avoid too-short, too-narrow curtains and flimsy rods that sag. Choose curtains with 1.5x fullness (50% wider than your window) for proper coverage and beautiful folds. |
| Why Custom Curtains Work Better | Order custom curtains for odd-sized windows or when you need exact color matches. Custom options solve problems like very large windows or unique shapes without the compromises of ready-made curtains. |
| How to Measure for Your Perfect Curtains | Measure window width and add 8-12 inches for the rod. Measure from the planned rod height to where you want curtains to end. Double-check all measurements before ordering. |
| How to Care for Your Curtains | Vacuum curtains regularly with a brush attachment to prevent dust buildup. Machine wash polyester on gentle cycle and hang while damp to avoid wrinkles, but check tags for fabric-specific instructions. |
Types of Curtains for Your Home
Before we talk about rules, you should know about curtain types. Each type works best in different rooms.
| Curtain Type | What It Looks Like | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Grommet | Metal rings at the top | Modern homes, easy to open |
| Pinch Pleat | Pleats at the top | Formal rooms, classic look |
| Rod Pocket | Pocket for the rod | Simple style, less movement |
| Tab Top | Fabric loops at the top | Casual rooms, shows off the rod |
Think about your home style when picking curtains. A fancy dining room might need pinch pleat curtains. A beach house might look better with tab tops.
I've seen homes completely change with the right curtains. One customer's living room went from plain to stunning with new curtains.
The Most Important Rule: Hang High and Wide
The top rule for hanging curtains is the high and wide rule. This rule makes the biggest difference in how your windows look.
Here's what high and wide means:
Hang high
Put your curtain rod 6-12 inches above your window. This makes your ceiling look taller. Your window will look bigger too.
Hang wide
Extend your rod 4-6 inches past each side of the window. This makes your window look wider. It also lets in more light when curtains are open.
Hanging curtains high and wide makes the window look bigger. It also makes the room feel more spacious and luxurious.
I've seen this simple change make small rooms look much bigger. One customer with tiny bedroom windows was amazed. Her 8-foot ceiling seemed much taller after hanging curtains properly.
When curtains are closed, they should hang beside the glass. This lets in more light. It makes the window look bigger even when curtains are closed.
At Dolcewe, we make curtains to fit any window size. This helps you follow the high and wide rule perfectly.
Double Up for Wide Windows
If you have a wide window, use two curtain panels instead of one to cover the window. This creates a fuller, more luxurious look. It also allows for better light control and privacy.
When hanging double curtain panels, choose a curtain rod that is wider than the window frame. This will give you enough room for the extra fabric.
At Dolcewe, our curtains come with default 1.5 times fullness. You can opt for 2 times of fullness for more luxurious look
How to Choose the Right Curtain Length
Getting the right curtain length is very important. There are three main options to pick from.
Floor-Grazing Curtains
These curtains just touch the floor. They stop about 1/2 inch above the floor. This looks clean and works in most rooms. They're great for living rooms and dining rooms.
Pooling Curtains
These curtains are longer than your floor height. They pool on the floor by 1-3 inches. This creates a fancy look.
They work well in formal rooms or master bedrooms. If you hang your window curtains high enough that they cover the window trim, you’ll create the illusion of a higher wall
The downside? They get dirty faster. You'll need to clean them more often. They can also be hard to open and close.
Sill-Length Curtains
These curtains stop at your window sill. They work well above heaters or sinks. They're good in kitchens and bathrooms. They stay clean in areas with water or heat.
I helped a customer with windows above baseboard heaters once. Sill-length curtains solved her problem. She got nice curtains without blocking any heat.
When measuring for curtains, think about hooks or rings. These can change where curtains actually hang.
At Dolcewe, we help you get the right size. Our custom curtains fit your exact needs.
When choosing curtain length, think about the style of the room. Also consider any obstacles like radiators or window sills.
At Dolcewe, we offer custom size for all the curtains to fit your unique needs, starting at $26.99.
Picking the Best Fabric for Each Room
Choosing the right fabric helps your curtains work well. Different rooms need different fabrics.
Living Room Curtains
Living rooms usually need medium-weight fabrics. Linen or polyester sheer curtains work well. They give some privacy while still letting in light.
I suggest fabrics that hang with nice folds. Stiff fabrics can look odd in living areas.
Bedroom Curtains
For bedrooms, think about light control. Many customers choose blackout curtains for better sleep. These curtains block light with special linings.
Heavy fabrics like velvet also work well in bedrooms. They block more light and sound. This helps create a quiet space for sleeping.
Kitchen and Bathroom Curtains
In rooms with water or cooking, use easy-clean fabrics. Polyester resists stains and water. Avoid silk in these rooms as it can stain easily.
I helped a family with west-facing kitchen windows. The evening sun made cooking hot. We chose light-filtering curtains in a bright yellow. They blocked the harsh sun but kept the kitchen cheery.
Layering Curtains for More Style and Function
Layering curtains gives you more options. You can mix different types for the best results.
Many people pair sheer curtains with heavy drapes. The sheers filter light during the day. The drapes give privacy at night.
To layer curtains, you need a double curtain rod. Put the sheer curtains on the inside rod. Put the heavy curtains on the outside rod.
This gives you more control over light and privacy. You can open just the outer layer during the day. Close both layers at night for full privacy.
One customer had a big window with a nice view. She wanted to see out during the day. But she needed privacy at night. Layered curtains fixed her problem perfectly.
Common Curtain Mistakes to Avoid
In my 10 years making curtains, I've seen many common mistakes. Avoiding these will make your curtains look much better.
Too-Short Curtains
Short curtains can make your room look bad. They cut off your wall visually. Unless you have a reason like a heater below, curtains should reach near the floor. This makes the room look bigger.
Too-Narrow Curtains
Narrow curtains can't cover your window well. They also don't look good when open. Your curtains should be wide enough to cover the window fully.
For the best look, curtains should have extra fabric that makes nice folds. At Dolcewe, our curtains come with 1.5x fullness. This means they're 50% wider than your window.
Wrong Curtain Rods
Thin rods can sag in the middle. Heavy curtains need strong rods. I suggest rods that are at least 1 inch thick for most curtains. Heavier curtains need even stronger rod
Why Custom Curtains Work Better
Store-bought curtains rarely fit windows perfectly. Custom curtains solve this problem.
At Dolcewe, we make curtains to your exact size. Our prices start at just $26.99. We offer many fabric choices in different colors.
Custom curtains fix many common problems:
- Odd window sizes
- Very large windows
- Windows that need special sizes
- Matching room colors exactly
One customer had three different window sizes in one room. Ready-made curtains would have looked odd. Our custom curtains made all windows look the same.
How to Measure for Your Perfect Curtains
Getting the right measurements makes your curtains look perfect. Here's how to measure:
-
For width: Measure your window width. Add 8-12 inches total. This gives you the rod width. And then choose 1.5x or 2x fulless.
-
For length: Measure from where the rod will be to where you want curtains to end.
Write down these numbers before ordering. Check them twice to be sure.
At Dolcewe, we help you with measuring. We make sure your custom curtains fit just right.
How to Care for Your Curtains
Taking care of curtains helps them last longer. Different fabrics need different care.
Most polyester curtains can be washed in machines. Use the gentle cycle. Hang them back up while damp to avoid wrinkles.
Heavy fabrics might need dry cleaning. Check the tag before washing any curtains.
Vacuum your curtains often with a brush tool. This removes dust before it builds up. Dust makes curtains look dull over time.
Transform Your Home with Perfect Curtains
The right curtains change how your home looks and feels. By following these simple rules, you'll have windows that make your home shine.
Remember these key points:
- Hang curtains high and wide
- Choose the right length for your room
- Pick fabrics that work for each room
- Try layering for more options
- Avoid common curtain mistakes
At Dolcewe, we've helped thousands of customers find perfect curtains. Our custom curtains start at just $26.99. We'd love to help you too.
Visit Dolcewe.com today to see our custom curtain options. Your perfect windows are waiting for you!
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