How high should curtain rod be placed above the window?

9 years ago

I recently moved into a beautiful little cottage with nine foot ceilings. A woman who is making a farm table for me suggested that I use either sheer or linen tabbed curtains in the morning room where the farm table will be and she suggested that I place them on a rod that is 10-12" above the top of the window. What are your thoughts about this?

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babykaats

9 years ago

I do like the look of curtains that hang from rods placed just below ceiling/molding line. It is an elegant way to emphasize the height of the room. I also place matchstick or bamboo shades just below the curtain rod to cover the dead space between the tip of the window and the curtain rod and to create a textured, layered look. Cote de Texas blog has a few posts on this technique with helpful photos so that you can see whether you like the look.

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Comments (14)

judianna20
9 years ago
Way too high. 6" is plenty. You are not measuring down from your ceiling but up from your window frame.
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JWinteriors
9 years ago
Curtains come in 84" and 95". It would look beautiful to go with the 95" as it would draw your eye up and make your room appear larger.
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Sharon Charboneau, RESA Pro, Interior Stylist
9 years ago
The woman probably suggested you place the curtains higher up to give the illusion that your ceiling is higher. Without a picture, we don't know whether this is justified or not? Do you want to post one? To my mind, a farm table calls for a more textured curtain than sheers. Plus you may want to bring some colour into the room thru the curtains.
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Kelli Kaufer Designs
9 years ago
I like them high as well - does make the ceilings appear taller and the look is more sophisticated. I would not go with tab - go with gathered (more traditional look) or grommet (modern) tab looks messy and your eye will go up to the tab.
Shannon Giles
9 years ago
I was taught my an interior design student to hand the rod 4-6 inches above the top of the window frame, and take the panels to the floor. I don't do big expensive draperies (not with 3 Large dogs, a teen boy, and preteen girl. So I alter a solid or print heavier fab panel with a sheer panel. So I have have 3 heavy and 2 sheer in the main living areas and our bedroom.
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JMittman Designs
9 years ago
Say no to the tab top--too country fied--you can do cottage without tab tops. You can also install 10 inches up too. Most times depends on the look you want.
Tabitha Trojan
7 years ago
should 84"curtain panels touch the floor?
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Interior Affairs -- Vickie Daeley
7 years ago
this all depends on the window, the design, and the ultimate design goal...we specialize in window treatments and it helps to know how the window looks...pictures?
leelee
7 years ago
VOP very old post
drakepeaches
7 years ago
Can you give me some advice on hanging panels and height? I would like to put panels in our bedroom that are 108" in length. I have 3 windows. 2 of them are 43"w x 68"l and the other is double window that is 72" w x 68"l. Our ceiling is 9'.5" and there is a crown molding that is 25'' top of window panel to molding. Trying to figure out how high to hang rod since my panels are 108" in length. Is this going to be too high? Should I have ordered shorter panels? Attached are pictures of the windows. I also have the rods ...2 that are 48" expanding to 88 " and 1 that is 60" expanding to 108"...is that right?
Thank you, Jackie
Debbie McGee
7 years ago
I see that no one has responded to this post. I am in the same position. I have 10 ft ceilings and have drapes that are 108 in length. The width of the largest window I am covering is 130 wide (3 windows together), and the smallest is 73 in wide. What would you recommend? I am ready to hang these tomorrow!
joepye
4 years ago
Half way between the ceiling and window trim would be nice; otherwise the windows look as if they have been placed too low for the wall.
joepye
4 years ago
Just a little lower than the book shelves - hope this helps.