When it comes to home decor, no other furnishing requires more attention and thought than the ubiquitous curtain.
Apart from the primary functions of maintaining privacy and keeping home temperatures stable, curtains have the power to make or break the overall look of a home.
If you, like most people, are hesitant about experimenting with curtain styling and instead prefer hanging floor-to-ceiling curtains on every window, it’s time to stop.
Yes, curtain size, color, pattern, texture, thickness, etc., are essential factors to consider when purchasing curtains.
Take, for instance, colors.
The right shade can add a vibrant touch to your room, while the wrong one might make it seem out of place.
The curtain length and shape are important, too, as they can affect how your room is perceived.
Buying curtains for your living space can be a daunting task, especially with all the different measurements that you have to deal with – I get it.
This is why I wrote this article—with a few tips and tricks, you’ll never buy curtains of incorrect length ever again.
An Overview of Curtain Sizes
Ever bought a window or door-sized curtain only to come home and learn that it’s just too many inches shorter or longer than you need?
Nope, you don’t want that look!
Curtain panels, in general, are 48-inches wide and come in four lengths—63-inches, 84-inches, 96-inches, and 108-inches.
You may also find 120-inch curtains, but these are fairly uncommon.
What to Consider Before Buying Curtains
See more of this amazing house and its curtains at Architectural Designs
When choosing curtains for your windows, the most important thing to remember is never to buy a size that is the same or close to the same size as your windows.
The curtains won’t cover your windows adequately, and you’ll be left frustrated with your new purchase.
Here’s the rule of thumb:
Curtains should be at least six inches (or more, depending on your preferred style) longer than the window size.
This helps you keep the curtain rod at a good height (around four inches above the window) while also adequately covering your window.
Before buying curtains, you should also determine your ceiling height and the effect you want the curtains to have on your room.
For example:
Installing the curtain rod (and the curtains, obviously) higher up than usual in your main bedroom will give an illusion of a bigger room (depending on the size of your master bedroom).
Next up, you need to figure out the length of the rod. The good thing about curtain rods is that most times, they come in an adjustable length.
Common curtain rod lengths that you can find in the market are 28-inch to 48-inch, 48-inch to 84-inch, 66-inch to 120-inch, and 120-inch to 170-inch.
What’s the curtain rod length?
It’s pretty easy to determine the length of the curtain rod you’ll require.
All you have to do is measure the width of your window and add 12 inches to it (six for each side).
This ensures that when your curtains are not drawn, they won’t cover your windows, and you’ll have an ample amount of sunlight coming in.
You can also opt for custom-sized curtains if you have the budget for them, but you will have to wait for a few days before they are delivered to you.
If you’re on a lower budget you can use a spring-loaded rod. Then you just take the inside measurement of your windows.
However, these don’t look as “elegant” and the tension rods can be hard to keep tight and in place.
Choosing the Right Curtain for Your Room
Curtains aren’t a one-size-fits-all affair; they require proper planning before you make a purchase.
Some of the various kinds of curtains available in the market can be defined by their length and how they fall onto the ground, although this isn’t always the case.
Knowing the different kinds of curtains according to their lengths makes it easier to decide which one is suited to your needs.
How to choose the right curtain (design/decor considerations) while choosing the length?
The type of curtains you choose depends on their purpose and your personal taste.
Here’s a closer look at a few factors:
Floor Kissing Length Curtains
See this and other great examples at Wayfair!
As the name suggests, these curtains are long enough to just touch (or kiss) the floor without causing a puddling effect.
Floor kissing length curtains are perfect for living rooms or bedrooms with a high ceiling.
Why?
Because the right kind of floor-kissing curtains will make your space look extra elegant regarding of your living room size!
This length is also apt for bedrooms that require blackout curtains as they help block any leaking sunlight from below.
Floating Length Curtains
See this and other great examples at Wayfair!
Floating length curtains are exactly what the name suggests – they float right above the ground by anywhere from half an inch up to a few inches to give your room a chic vibe.
These types of curtains are great for rooms with a panoramic view.
They are also perfect for houses with toddlers and pets (especially cats!) as they won’t tug on them.
These types of curtains are often used in playrooms and kids’ bedrooms. They are also quite easy to maintain, as they don’t get dirty easily.
When buying floating-length curtains, make sure that they hang at least four inches under the window’s edge or a couple of inches above the floor, whichever you prefer.
Otherwise, they may make your ceiling look smaller.
Puddling Length Curtains
See this and other great examples at Wayfair!
Curtains of puddling length create a “puddle” on the floor. This means they are longer than the length from the curtain rod to the floor (by about two to three inches.)
These kinds of curtains are generally found in vintage and spacious homes as they offer a rich feel.
They are also used in the dining rooms of houses to create a sophisticated and formal look.
However, these curtains necessitate a lot of maintenance. They are not recommended in places that attract a lot of dust and dirt.
They are also not the best type of curtains to have around children.
Window Sill Curtains
Window sill curtains have a length that ends just at the window sill.
They look perfect when there is a piece of furniture right underneath the window, like a dressing table or a drawer shelf.
These curtains are also commonly used in kitchens as they are easy to maintain and because longer curtains have a greater chance of getting dirty.
Apron Curtains
The length of apron curtains falls somewhere in between floating length and window sill curtains.
These curtains are great for a chic look in your kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom. You can also use slightly longer ones in living rooms.
These curtains help make your windows look bigger.
The curtain rod for apron curtains is installed higher than usual so that the curtains reach the middle area between the window sill and the floor.
Tier Curtains
See this and other great examples at Wayfair!
These are special-length curtains that cover the bottom two-thirds (or half) of a window, leaving an open slit on top.
They usually measure between 32-36 inches in length.
Tier curtains give your room a cafe-type look and are usually used in kitchens with a matching valance.
Valances 
See this and other great examples at Wayfair!
Valances are more of decorative items than curtains. They usually measure around just five to six inches and are meant to cover just the top part of a window.
These kinds of curtains are used popularly in cottage esthetics, which has been gaining popularity recently.
Valances are also used as coverage and decorative item for French doors.
Curtain Size Chart
When reading the curtain size chart, ensure you have your window or door (length and width) measurements ready.
| Window Size | Curtain Size | ||
| L | W | L | W |
| 36″ | 36″ | 63″ | 48″ |
| 44″ | 36″ | 84″ | 48″ |
| 52″ | 36″ | 96″ | 48″ |
| 54″ | 36″ | 108″ | 48″ |
FAQs
How Long Should Curtains Be?
The standard four lengths in which curtains are usually available are 63-inches, 84-inches, 96-inches, and 108-inches.
The safest option is to go for a curtain length that slightly grazes the floor.
However, different styles come with different curtain lengths, so it’s all about your personal preference.
You can also choose to hang the curtains a few inches above the floor or have them puddle on the ground by choosing a longer curtain.
What Are the Standard Shower Curtain Sizes?
Shower curtains come in three standard sizes. These are 70 by 70 inches, 70 by 72 inches, and 72 by 72 inches.
Measure the area around your shower to determine which size suits best for the shower at your home.
While these standard sizes will work for an average house, you will require different lengths should you have a custom-designed shower area.
Summary
As mentioned earlier, curtains are one of the most important aspects of home decor because they can make or break the look of a room.
And the length of a curtain plays a major role.
A well-made and proper length curtain can be the difference between a vibrant and fresh-looking room and one that looks awkward and haphazard.
They can also help your room look bigger than it actually is.
I hope you found this article and my curtain size chart helpful!