3 Common Curtain-Hanging Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Have you been hanging your curtains all wrong? Here's how to hang curtains like a pro, plus how to fix a few frequent mishaps.

Curtains are an essential element of home decor. This hardworking accessory provides shade and privacy, helps you achieve restful sleep, and spruces up windows with color, texture, and pattern. But hanging curtains correctly the first time can be intimidating. How high should you install the curtain rod? What about the length of your panels? Luckily, you can achieve a polished look by avoiding these common mistakes made when hanging curtains. We'll help you avoid choosing the wrong panels, mounting curtains too high or too low, and choosing curtains too narrow for your space. And we've got easy DIY fixes in case you've already encountered these curtain conundrums.

Related: The 12 Best Curtains of 2024 Our Editors Recommend

Mistake 1: Choosing Curtains That Are Too Skinny

Because curtains are open most of the time, it’s easy to assume the width of the curtain panels isn’t that important. But skinny curtains panels can look surprisingly skimpy. Curtains that are proportional to the width of the window will look more voluminous in the space. Bonus, they’ll cover the window fully when you do need to pull them closed.

How to fix it: Measure your window before purchasing or making your curtains. Curtain panels should be at least two times the width of the window you're attempting to shade. If you want extra fullness, make them 2.5 times the width.

Related: The 7 Best Blackout Curtains of 2024, According to Testing

Mistake 2: Purchasing Curtains That Are Too Long (or Short)

Curtains that are too short look awkward and out of place. They also visually alter your space, making ceilings look lower and the room smaller overall. Curtains that drag on the floor can be a hazard and collect dust more easily. Aim for a middle ground—curtains that hover just above the floor.

How to fix it: To find the right curtain length, measure from the floor to where you'll hang the rod. Curtain lengths come in common lengths like 63, 84, and 96 inches. Choose one closest to your measurement, erring on the side of a few inches longer rather than shorter—if needed, you can hem curtains that are too long. You can also opt for custom curtain panels, though this comes with a higher price tag.

Related: The 8 Best Sewing Machines of 2024, According to Testing

Mistake 3: Misplacing the Curtain Rod

It's essential to mount curtain rods in the right spot or your perfect-length curtains might not hang properly. A rod that sits too close to the top of your window frame can make a space seem smaller than it really is. It's also important to choose a curtain rod that's wider than your window. This allows curtains to be pulled to the side of the window frame and gives the appearance of a larger space.

How to fix it: Visually lengthen your room by mounting your curtain rod a few inches higher than your window. Here are two helpful measurements to know: The rod itself should be 8 to 12 inches longer than the width of the window; a curtain rod should be mounted at least 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. For rooms with tall ceilings, you can choose to go higher with your curtain rod placement. To create the illusion that a low ceiling is higher, try mounting the curtain rod right below the crown molding. It's a trick decorators use often.

Related: Types of Window Treatments & How to Choose the Right One

Mistake 4: Choosing Form over Function

It can be tempting to choose curtains based solely on how they look, but it’s important to remember that curtains serve a purpose too. Think about what your goal is when choosing curtains—do you want sheers for privacy that will still let light in? Or thicker fabric that will keep the sun out of your eyes and the glare off your television?

How to fix it: Consider mounting a double curtain rod so that you can have your preferred decorative panels on the outside and functional panels—like sheer voile or opaque blackouts—on the inside.