Curtain Question: Curtain Length

Internet research seems to indicate that floor-length curtains should be hung either

• just at the floor level (skimming the floor) or
• puddling on the floor (if the material puddles nicely).

From the top of my windows to the floor, we have almost exactly 84" of height. Meaning, if we hung the 84" curtains we have at the moment (we purchased about 11 sets of curtains in that length already...ugh!), we'd have to hang the curtain rod right above the tops of the windows (I've heard you're supposed to hang them 4-6" above the top of the window) and even then, they'd be an inch or two above the ground (which I've heard is "awkward").

Now, I've been to a couple friends' homes recently and have been checking out their curtains and it seems their curtains are hung so the bottom of the curtain is level with the top of the baseboards. Is this acceptable?

I prefer to hang our curtains like our friends have theirs hung because I think they will be cleaner (catch less dust/pet hair), will be easier to clean, and will be harder for a pet (i.e. Bailey) or kids (i.e. our future children - whenever they come around...don't get all excited now...I'm just saying...I mean we have friends with little kiddos, too) to pull down.

I really don't want to get the longer curtains because 1. we used a 10% discount coupon which I don't think we could use on an exchange - bummer, no? 2. I don't want to hem or pay someone else to hem.

Thoughts? Can we hang out curtains just above our baseboards? Please drop me a comment...I'd love to hear your thoughts/expertise. :)

Comments

[sheista]

I would not hang them any inches above the floor. Puddling doesn't seem like an option you would be happy with. An inexpensive way for you to solve this with using the curtains you already have is to add a border along the bottom (and side hems, if you want). Just sew a coordinating fabric, hang and be happy! It will look custom, designer and be the right length :)

Good Luck!

[Kath]

Ours are only about an inch off the floor. I agree having them ON the floor equals more dirt, but i think baseboard height is too high. Hang the rods whereever you want (so long as you can't see the top of the windows when the curtains are on). I can come over a help!

[Sarah]

They are your curtains and you can hang them where ever you please!

(I personally like mine to be as long as possible, but I waste no energy worrying about it if they are "too short".)

[Marie]

Here's my thoughts on this because I've often wondered the same thing: I have my curtains ending at the top of the window sill in my bedroom because I didn't want them to catch dust from the floor (we don't have carpeting). In my dining room, they hang just below the window sill, again, because I didn't want them to collect dust. We have parrots not dogs but I'm always vacuuming because of random feathers floating around so that's another reason. I think it's a matter of personal needs/taste and I don't think there is any "wrong" length because I've seen all kinds. I would not recommend having the puddling kind because of pets, kids and also I think they will get torn accidentally, but they do look pretty. In this day and age, anything goes so you won't be wrong with whatever length you choose.

[Megan]

I like the idea of sewing on a border to make them a longer length, so that you don't have to waste the 10% off coupon. I prefer puddling on the floor, but I think you have enough risk factors to warrant keeping them off the floor. :)

Another option might be to add a valance on the top, to hide the fact that the curtains will be hung right at the top of the window....here are some samples.

http://cdn2.overstock.com/images/products/P11391976.jpg

http://www.attitudearcade.com/prod_images_blowup/sc3000ind.jpg

http://chestofbooks.com/food/household/A-Manual-Of-Home-Making/images/Hanging-Of-Draperies-39.jpg

Love you!

[tacfit warrior review]

They are your curtains and you can hang them where ever you please!

(I personally like mine to be as long as possible, but I waste no energy worrying about it if they are "too short".)