Shorter curtains can be referred to as cafe curtains, valances, tiers, or scarf valances. Cafe curtains are usually less than 24″ in length and are typically hung from a curtain rod using clip rings, or from a traverse rod using uniformed slides.
Valances are typically slightly longer than cafe curtains, typically being between 60″ – 90″ long. Valances are often used to draw attention away from an unattractive window or to create an illusion of height.
Tiers are also fairly short, typically being 20″ – 36″ long, and are normally used alone, or with a valance to add some extra decoration to a window. Finally, scarf valances are long and narrow, typically being between 180″ – 300″ long.
Scarf valances are used to add texture and color to a window and can be draped around windows to create an effortless, classic look.
What curtains for short windows?
When shopping for curtains for short windows, you should prioritize the right length, width, and fabric. For most short windows, the ideal length should be between 1/2 inch and 1inch longer than the width of the window, while the width should be the same size as the window.
The fabric of the curtains is also important. Heavy weight fabric, such as velvet and chenille, are typically best for small windows since they will hang nicely and and provide better insulation. But if the window needs more light to pass through, a light weight fabric like cotton, linen, or sheer curtains can do the trick.
Consider a neutral sheen, too—like a warm ivory or creamy beige color—will further add some elegance to your room.
What are the 3 types of curtains?
The three types of curtains are sheer, blackout, and room-darkening curtains. Sheer curtains are the thinnest and lightest type of curtains and allow the most natural light to filter through. They are made of diaphanous fabrics, such as net or voile, and are a great way to add a soft, airy feel to a room.
Blackout curtains are slightly thicker and heavier than sheer curtains and provide more privacy, as well as a greater level of light blockage. They are typically made of thick fabrics, such as velvet or canvas, and can be used to effectively darken a room.
Room-darkening curtains are heavier than blackout curtains and provide a higher level of light blocking. Ideal for bedrooms or media rooms, these curtains are typically made of heavy-duty fabrics, such as denim or jute, and help keep rooms extra dark and private.
What is a Priscilla curtain?
A Priscilla curtain is a type of window treatment consisting of two layers of sheer, lightweight fabric. The two layers are held together by a header panel at the top, with the bottom being finished in soft gathers or flounces.
Typically made from a cotton and polyester blend, Priscilla curtains are a decorative and practical way to add a touch of elegance and privacy to any room. The sheer fabric allows some light to filter through, creating a soft, feminine feel to the space.
Priscilla curtains can be hung with a rod or decorative clips, which makes the curtains easy to adjust for different amounts of privacy. They are also available in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns to suit any decor style.
Are apron length curtains OK?
Yes, apron length curtains can definitely be a great choice for a variety of window treatments. Apron length curtains are often popular for kitchens, bathrooms, or other rooms where the window is situated higher up, like around a kitchen sink or a bathtub.
They are typically hung from a rod that is installed 6-12 inches above the windowsill and hang down 12-18 inches from the bottom of the rod. Apron length curtains are the perfect option if you want a piece of “low-hanging fruit” — a way to make a window look elegant without blocking out too much light.
Plus, they can cover any additional hardware, cords, or blinds that you might need to install to cover the window. Apron length curtains are also good for creating a more impactful design with colors, textures, and a range of sizes that can be tailored to fit any window.
Can curtains be longer than the window?
Yes, it is possible to have curtains that are longer than the window. Actually, it is possible to have curtains in many different sizes, as long as they are not wider than the window itself. Hanging curtains that are longer than the window creates a luxurious look, making a room look larger.
Longer curtains also help to provide better light coverage and insulation, helping to keep the room temperature more consistent. Additionally, the hems of long curtains can be used to ‘hide’ curtain rods without taking up extra wall space, or to create a more decorative silhouette depending on the type and style of the curtain.
The extra length of the fabric also gives a greater range of decorative effects like draping and gathering, or allows an opportunity to use drapery weights. Lastly, curtains that are too long can always be easily hemmed or shortened to fit the window.
What is length and width of curtains?
The length and width of curtains depend on the size of the windows they are intended to cover and the amount of fullness or gathers desired. Before purchasing curtains, measure the width of the window and decide how far beyond the window you want the curtains to extend, such as halfway down to the sill or all the way to the floor.
For additional fullness, curtains should be about two to three times the window width. The length should be long enough to reach the floor, the window sill, or the desired fullness measurement, depending on the look you are trying to achieve.
What is the difference between swag and valance?
Swag and valance are both types of window treatments, but they serve different purposes. Swags are draped fabric panels that hang from either end of the top of the window, creating an elegant and formal look.
Valances are shorter panels of fabric that are fitted directly above the window, held up with a rod, and they generally serve to hide hardware such as curtain rods or blinds. Swags provide a more formal and traditional look, while valances are typically used in more contemporary or casual designs.
Swags can be used to dress up a room and create a sophisticated and classic look, while valances are great for adding a touch of color or pattern to the window without obstructing the view.
How do you use swag curtains?
Swag curtains are popular window treatments that provide a stylish means to add color and texture to a room. Swag curtains are typically hung along the top of the window and allow extra fabric to drape gracefully to the sides, down the sides of the window to look like a cascade.
The extra fabric of the swag also adds an additional layer of insulation to the window, providing an extra barrier against temperature and light.
Using swag curtains is fairly simple and requires no special tools or skills. Start by measuring the length of the window, including the top trim and any additional trim below the window sill. Take these measurements to your local fabric store and select the fabric you prefer, keeping in mind that heavier fabrics will drape more gracefully than lighter fabrics.
With the fabric in hand, lay it out and cut it along the top at a 45 degree angle, creating two pieces with an additional few inches of fabric to drape across the sides if desired. Use curtain tape or drapery pins to attach the fabric to the top of the window trim and then drape the extra fabric to the sides.
Finishing touches such as adding ribbon or hardware to the edges can help give your swag curtains a more finished look.
Is it better to have long curtains or short?
The answer to this question largely depends on the overall design of the room, as well as personal preference.
If the room has high ceilings, long curtains can emphasize the height and give the room a more elegant, formal feel. The long curtains can provide a certain level of privacy by blocking out a lot of the natural light that comes in, as well as obscuring the view that outside passersby may have.
However, depending on the fabric, long curtains can also make the room appear dark and oppressive.
On the other hand, short curtains can make the room feel more open and airy, and allow in more natural light. This could make any small room feel more spacious and comfortable, as well as brightening up the mood by providing some pleasant natural light.
However, they may not provide much privacy, depending on the fabric used.
Ultimately, both long curtains and short curtains can be well suited for any type of room depending on the desired look. It really comes down to personal preference and the size of the room.
Do short curtains make a room look smaller?
The short answer to this question is yes, in many cases short curtains can make a room look smaller. This is because shorter curtains reduce the amount of natural light that can enter the space, and also decrease the sense of height and airiness you get with taller curtains.
Additionally, short curtains appear to take up more floor space, so when hung close to the wall, the overall perception of space within the room can be diminished.
There are some exceptions to this rule, though. Certain window treatments, such as Roman shades or roller blinds, when hung close to the window, can actually make the room appear larger. Since these window treatments don’t hang down, they will not reduce the amount of natural light that can enter the space.
Furthermore, when paired with a fascia board, they can also help create the illusion of additional height within the room.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to install longer or shorter curtains in a given space depends largely on the desired aesthetic and the overall layout of the room. If you’re looking to make a space appear bigger, look into these window treatment alternatives; if you prefer the look and feel of curtains, hang them as high up as possible to maximize the amount of natural light that enters the space, and create the illusion of increased height.
How long should short curtains be?
Short curtains should be about 6-8 inches below the window frame. This length allows for enough curtain to cover the window without reaching the floor, and it also lends a modern, airy look to any room.
Depending on the height of your window, the width of the curtain should be two to two and a half times the window’s width. This allows you to have a full-length, loosely draping appearance while still giving the window a complete frame.
Additionally, you should hang the curtain rod 4-6 inches above the top of the window, allowing for extra height and depth to create a border around the window.
What to do with curtains that are too short?
If your curtains are too short, there are a few things you can do to adjust them. One option is to attach a band at the bottom of the curtains that has the same color or pattern as the rest of the fabric.
This can help create a more cohesive look and can help bring the fabric up to the desired length. Alternatively, you can add trim or ruffles to the hemline of the curtains, which can also help bring the curtains up to the right length.
You could also add a decorative edge or fringe to the bottom of the curtains, which not only lengthens the curtains, but also adds a unique touch. Finally, if you no longer want to use the existing curtains, you can uninstall them and replace them with curtains that are the right length.
However, this is typically a more costly solution.
Do curtains have to touch the floor?
No, curtains do not have to touch the floor. To create a light, airy look, some people prefer to hang their curtains so that they end just above or below the window frame or floor. However, certain styles, such as puddling, do require curtains to come into contact with the floor or be pooled at the bottom.
Puddling is when the bottom of the curtains are allowed to gather on the floor and create an elegant dangling effect. On the other hand, if your window extends above the floor, you might consider hanging the curtains to reach either the window frame or the floor.
In this case, you could opt for a rod pocket along the top edge of the curtains, utilizing either tabs or clips to hang from the window frame. Ultimately, you should go with the look that suits your specific needs.
How do you make curtains look elegant?
Making curtains look elegant is all about choosing the right design and fabric. Natural, light materials tend to have a more sophisticated appeal than heavier fabrics such as velvet. To add a touch of elegance, opt for curtains or drapes with a decorative hem or edging, or look for fabric with an interesting pattern or texture.
Consider installing a valance or adding a cornice or other embellishment to the top of the curtain. When selecting colors, stick to neutral shades like beige, white, or gray, or blues and greens that are a few shades deeper than pastel.
To give the curtains a luxurious look, choose fabrics with a high thread count. Finally, curtains that are hung correctly and hang down to the floor will appear more formal and will give the room a more polished finish.
How do I extend curtain length?
Extending the length of a curtain can be done in a few ways. The first and easiest option is to simply add a new panel to the curtain. You can either purchase fabric to make a panel the same color, texture, or pattern as the existing ones, or find a panel that’s already made and pairs nicely with the other panels.
Additionally, you could buy a longer panel and alter the existing panels to match it.
Another option is to buy a bottom border. This can be a ready-made border that is shorter than the bottom of your existing panels and attached to them, or you can make your own using fabric and some stitching.
It can cover the amount of space that is needed to add an extra length of curtain.
Finally, you could add hem tape to the bottom of existing panels. This would let you easily and quickly extend the curtain’s length without needing to do any sewing. It’s even possible to add hem tape to blankets, bedsheets, and other fabrics to extend their lengths.
How do you lengthen curtains without sewing?
If you need to lengthen curtains without sewing, there are a few different methods you can use. One option is to use iron-on hem tape which provides a fast and easy fix for curtains that are too short.
To use iron-on hem tape, place the iron-on tape along the edge of the curtain and then cover it with a damp cloth. Next, carefully iron the tape and damp cloth until the tape has adhered to the fabric.
Another option is to use glue or a fabric adhesive to attach a length of trim or fabric to the bottom of the curtain. For this method, ensure that you select a fabric or trim material that is the same or similar in weight to the curtain fabric so the curtains have a uniform hang.
You can also create a panel to add to the length of the curtains, which requires cutting the new fabric to the same length and width as the curtains and then attaching the panel and curtains together with glue or fabric adhesive.