How to Hang Curtains to Make a Room Look Larger
In my early days of decorating I always seemed to favor rooms filled with light. I equated them with very minimal window treatments that brought lots of sunshine into the room. Truth be told, gorgeous window treatments can not only accentuate the natural light of a space while providing a sense of privacy, but they can also actually help enhance the proportions and sense of openness to it!
Nothing can uplift the look of a room more than beautiful window coverings. A gorgeous drapery treatment can literally lift the eye to make a room feel taller, wider, and more elegant. This almost always has to do with the way those treatments are hung. Read on for 3 tips you can use to make the most of your window treatments, your natural light, and your space!
1. How High Should You Place Your Curtain Rod?
Many rod manufacturers advise installing the curtain rod only about 3-4” above the window casing. But rooms are not one-size-fits-all, and you may have a higher ceiling to play with. My sense is the higher you go with the rod, the better!
If you want to be conservative, center the rod midway between the casing and the ceiling. The higher you can go with your curtain rod, the taller and grander the room will appear.
Be sure to account for the longer length of your drapes - we’ll address that in section 3!
2. Where Should You Mount Brackets for Drapes?
Similarly, mounting hardware brackets several inches to the side of the window will add to the sense of spaciousness of your room. With drapery panels moved to the side of the window you are less likely to block the precious natural light available. Overlapping the edge of the window a couple of inches will give the softness you want without blocking the light or the view.
Added bonus: it will also make the window appear wider!
3. The Right Length for Curtains & Drapes
Raising the rods and installing mounting brackets in a wider formation will only enhance the look of the room when your drapery fabric is the proper length!
The look of a curtain that pools on the floor can be lovely when done right, but ill-fitting and amateur-ish if not. And a drape that is too short can look like your pants did when your mother put them in the washer and they shrunk - awkward!
(Sorry if I just opened the wound of a childhood trauma!!)
The best length for drapery is to just barely skim the ground - regardless of the height of the window sill. It will create a seamless visual connection from floor to ceiling and gracefully frame the view beyond your four walls.
A well-fitting drapery treatment can truly elevate a room with an elegant, custom look. If you're ready for a professional to manage all the details of your room redo and bring your dream space to life, let's talk!
Warmly,
