Determining the length, or ‘drop’, of your curtains is an important part of the curtain procurement process. For bespoke curtains, you can of course specify any length, but there are some considerations you should keep in mind.
There are four common styles for curtain drop:
A = Just above the window sill
B = Just below the window sill
C = Just touching the floor
D = Pooling on the floor
This blog explains more about each curtain length, the pros and cons and the types of rooms each style is most suited to.
A. Just above the sill
Curtains may sit just above the sill to accent statement windows
Curtains that finish just above the window sill are mainly used in more informal areas like bathrooms and kitchen spaces. They often have a reason behind their cropped length. For instance, in a kitchen, long curtains might be a hazard near appliances, and in a bathroom near a sink, shorter curtains will help to avoid splashes. Sometimes they may be required because of furniture or objects beneath a window, such as a radiator, or to fit within a window ledge.
On occasion, a just above the sill curtain is an aesthetic design choice. For example, if a window is accentuating the view beyond, a just above the sill curtain in complementary colours will help to frame the view when pulled, not detract from it.
B. Just below the sill
Below the sill statement curtains
Just below the sill curtains come down a little longer to create a more ‘complete’ look, usually in bedrooms and living spaces. Just above and just below the sill curtains work well with a bright or bold patterned fabric, without being overwhelming. It can also be a good opportunity to choose a more premium fabric, as less material is needed than in a longer curtain.
C. Just off the floor
In a bedroom, full length curtains help to block more light
A curtain that finishes just off or just touching the floor gives a strong, statement look to a room. These full length curtains are usually often suited to lounge areas and more formal sitting spaces, and can either take a strong colour for high visual impact, or a muted, plainer fabric for a relaxing or calming feel. In a bedroom, just off the floor curtains will help to block more light. Of course, full length windows, French doors or patio doors will need just off the floor or pooling curtains.
In some settings, such as care homes, the curtains should sit slightly higher off the floor, to ensure there are no trip hazards.
On a practical note, just off the floor curtains are easy to clean around, and don’t collect dust in the way pooling curtains can.
D. Pooling curtains
Pooling or ‘puddled’ curtains go right down to the floor, providing a real statement, opulent look within an establishment, whether its an eye-catching, colourful pattern, or a subtle, single colour. A ‘puddled’ curtain is usually found in a living area or formal dining space, and they do a really good job at blocking light from the room. Of course, the additional fabric means that they tend to be on the higher end of the price range. They can also be tricky to clean around, and need regular vacuuming to stop the ‘puddles’ accumulating dust. In the right environment, the statement look is entirely worth it.
For advice and support on choosing the right fabric and the most suitable curtain length for your establishment, get in touch with our team.
