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Should the curtains lie on the floor?
Wondering if curtains can lie on the floor? Read our guide! We explain how to choose the length of this type of covering according to the size of the window, as well as the style of the room and your tastes. Use our tips and you will be positively surprised by the end result.
Long curtains lying on the floor - is this a good idea?
The length of the fabric is of paramount importance when it comes to curtains. It's no use having first-class fabric, a decorative pattern or a strikingly attractive drape if they are too short or too long. Not only does this have a negative impact on the design of the room, it is also impractical. Wondering if floor-length curtains are a good idea? Of course! But make sure you measure the window recess and, if you have a curtain rail fitted, the distance to the floor before you buy them.
How do I choose the length of my curtains? What should be taken into account?
A good length of curtains is one that matches the height of the room and the dimensions of the window in which they are to be placed. That's why precise measurements are so important before choosing a particular model of curtains. Remember that the visual effect you want to achieve is equally important - a different curtain length will work in a spacious living room and a different one in a small kitchen.
And it doesn't stop there: your window decorations should be to your taste. Lying curtains with romantic decoration on the floor is not the best idea if you like simply furnished interiors; and white short curtains are unlikely to appeal to a lover of colourful arrangements.
Arrangement backup - what is it and why is it worth remembering?
Firstly, match the length of your curtains to the height of the room. To do this, measure the distance from the floor to the curtain rail. Unless you want to hang your curtains on rails, in which case consider the space from ceiling to floor when measuring. What the curtain will hang on is also important. If you've opted for classic pulls or hooks, add about 1.5 cm extra to your measurements; with grommets with pulls, on the other hand, the curtain should be up to 3.5 cm longer. Another consideration is the so-called arrangement reserve, which gives the effect of the curtains gently laying on the floor - if you want to achieve this, choose 5-8 cm longer curtains.
Length of curtains and the appearance of the room
Don't forget that your voile curtains should harmonise with the rest of your furnishings. In a small interior, such as a mini-living room in a bedsit, do without curtains lying on the floor. They will unnecessarily overwhelm such a room. In the kitchen, one of the most heavily used rooms in the house, longer curtains are also unlikely to work. Unless it connects to the living room and the window is far away from the working area.
On the other hand, for Scandinavian interiors - especially those that are spacious - you can confidently opt for white or cream curtains that gently fall to the parquet floor. If you need more inspiration of this type, read the article: How to match curtains with wall colour.
A curtain to suit your preferences
Remember to choose the length of your curtains to your liking too! Do you have a wide windowsill that you want to highlight? If so, replace the longer curtains with a shorter model. This could be a delicate macramé, for example - such a fabric would look particularly good in the bedroom. Don't want a curtain rod and like modern arrangements? Opt for covers mounted to a ceiling rail. And if you've chosen a model that's too long, use one of the simple arrangement tricks and see how to pin up curtains that are too long.
Curtains lying on the floor - the advantages of this solution
Curtains lying on the floor have many advantages. Thanks to them:
- A room becomes optically taller - curtains lying on the floor is a simple way to add a few extra centimetres of height to your interior. To achieve this effect, drape your curtains right up to the ceiling. And if you want to enhance it, choose a curtain fabric in a light colour.
- The whole interior gains in cosiness - long curtains can not only make a room appear more spacious, but also add a cosy touch. To warm up the arrangement, hang cream, beige or light pink curtains in the window that fall to the floor.
- You can style your curtains in a variety of ways - the advantage of long curtains is also that you can style them in many ways! Delicate creasing, decorative buckles, original brackets, curtain rods with castors - these are just a few solutions.
Other options - curtains to the windowsill line
Do curtains have to be to the floor? Of course not! Alternatively, curtains that reach the window sill are worth opting for, especially in the kitchen, bathroom or small room in a block of flats. How do you adjust their length? You can do this in two ways:
- Curtains that reach above the window sill line - this option will work especially well if you care about the functionality of the interior. It is often used in children's rooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
- Curtains with a length past the windowsill line - for curtains hung this way, check that the curtain rod is at a sufficient height from the extreme sill line to cover the entire window top. If you have decided on this option, choose curtains that are about 10 cm longer than the distance between the curtain rod and the bottom sill line.
Should curtains lie on the floor? Summary
After reading our text, you already know whether your curtains should lie on the floor. As is usually the case in interior design, this is just one option you can opt for. It is advisable to hang your curtains this way if you want to create a cosy atmosphere in the room, or to arrange the covers in an original way. In addition, a properly chosen curtain of this type will make the room appear taller than it really is. Before you make your final decision, read our guide: How do I measure curtains and drapes? and you'll have no problem creating a window arrangement.
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