You've bought a beautiful set of curtains—or maybe you're still figuring out what designs to go for—but you're stumped on how high to hang your curtains. Are curtains supposed to touch the floor? In general, yes curtains should touch the floor or float just above it. However, how much contact there should be is a little trickier. Don't fret.

In this guide, we'll go over some curtain length rules, including how high to hang curtains and what curtain length to opt for. We like to consider these more as a guide than rules because when it comes to design, nothing is set in stone.

Are Curtains Supposed to Touch the Floor?

The short answer is yes, curtains should lightly touch the floor or hover just a half-inch above it. This gives a better visual appeal and makes your room look more organized.

In general, curtains can either puddle, break, or float.

Puddle length: This is when the curtain spills onto the floor, giving that opulent, puddle effect.

Break length: This is when the curtain just kisses the floor.

Float length: This is when the curtain floats just above the floor.

In high-traffic areas like the kitchen, you may not like the idea of having your curtain sweeping the floor and getting messy, so letting it float no more than a half inch above is perfect. This also offers a clean and simple look as it keeps the curtain straight.

Floating the curtain too high (over 1 inch) above ground can give the impression you ordered a size too short. Plus, shorter curtains make your room appear smaller.

What Curtain Length Do I Need?

Your ideal curtain length will always depend on the height of your window and the room itself. A rule of thumb when measuring curtain length is to allow the fabric to hang from halfway or two-thirds of the way up between the ceiling and the window.

Avoid placing the curtain rods right above the window, as this will make the window appear squashed, making the room smaller. Higher curtains draw your eye gaze up, giving the illusion of a higher ceiling, making the room appear more spacious.

For most standard homes, curtains measuring 84-96 inches in length will suffice. Your drape length will make such a big difference in the overall aesthetics of your space, so you want to get it right.

Check out these gorgeous block print curtains.

If you need custom sizes, just let us know!

Should Curtains Puddle on the Floor?

Allowing your window curtains to puddle on the floor can give a dramatic and luxurious look. However, you don't want to go overboard as a large puddle will appear more like a mistake than a conscious design choice.

Add about 2 inches of extra curtain fabric to achieve the puddle look. Please do not exceed 4 inches of extra fabric.

Which Curtain Length Looks Best?

Beauty, as they say, is in the eyes of the beholder. Some prefer their curtains to lightly kiss the floor, others may lean towards the puddle or floating curtain. Ideally, your window curtains should not exceed these standards.

We recommend looking at various design inspirations to get that "Ahah, right there!" moment.

You can also check out this blog on the proper way to hang curtains.

Considerations when Deciding Ideal Curtain Length

Here are pro tips for determining the perfect curtain length for different needs:

1. Lighter fabrics like cotton look better when they lightly graze or float above the floor, while heavier fabrics like velvet look more luxurious in a puddle.
2. If the floor is level, float-length curtains can help accentuate the evenness. In contrast, break-length or puddles are good at hiding irregularities.
3. If you're going for a clean, modern look, use float-length.
4. For a lavish, more luxurious look, think puddles, especially in a master suite or for formal dining. Here, you'll want to use heavy fabrics.
5. Since you'll need to rearrange the puddle whenever you move the panels, puddle-length curtains are best suited for spaces where they don't need to be moved often.
6. Avoid puddle-length drapery in kids' rooms and homes with pets, as it can obstruct movement or get trampled and torn.
7. While floor-length curtains can be ideal for bedrooms and living rooms, float-length is more practical for bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas with high foot traffic.
8. Allow window curtains to kiss the floor softly for a more laid-back, elegant vibe.

How Can You Make a Room Bigger Using Curtains?

By hanging curtains nearer to the ceiling, you can make a room appear bigger and more spacious. It’s an illusion, but it works.

How to Measure Curtain Length

To determine the length of curtain to buy, measure the distance from the curtain pole to the floor.

For float length drapery, subtract half an inch.

For break length, add 1 inch.

For puddle length, add 2-3 inches.

The curtain rod should be just below the ceiling or halfway between the ceiling and the window frame.

Remember that even when you have excess fabric, you can always hem the drape to reduce the length.

Where to Buy Curtains

Looking to make a statement with decorative curtains? Find elegant, highly decorative block print curtains at ichcha. From floral prints to indigo blue and red sheer curtains, we have a range of Indian window treatments to add color to your space.

For custom sizes or patterns, feel free to hit us up!

The Bottom Line

So, should curtains touch the floor? Yes, although your decision will depend on your decor style and the space in question. Puddle length can be perfect for formal spaces and living room curtains, while kitchens and kids' rooms are better off with float length. The type of curtain can also influence the aesthetics. For example, these light-weight block print curtains are perfect if you're leaning toward a laid-back, bohemian vibe.