Curtain length question

PixieCurl · 09-05-2008, 09:23 AM

I'm looking to buy some curtains for the downstairs finished basement of my house. Very informal. I'm looking at simple, basic panels, in khaki or tan, and as inexpensive as possible. The windows are 39" from top of molding to sill, and 42" from top of molding to bottom of bottom molding. All the panels I'm seeing online are much longer.... at least 54", with some 64" and lots of 84" (floor length).

If I get the 54", will they look weird being a foot longer than the window? I wasn't planning on doing tiebacks of any sort. Thanks in advance for any replies.

MizKerri · 09-05-2008, 10:27 AM

Is it possible to hang the curtain rod a foot or so higher than the window, so that the bottom of the curtains are even with the bottom of the window? That's what I had to do in my bedroom, although the curtains still hang lower than the window sill. It doesn't look weird to me. I think it's much better for them to be too long than too short.

xcptnl · 09-05-2008, 10:31 AM

I just went through this in my bedroom. I really needed a 70ish length - 84 was too long! We ended up getting the 64s and putting the rod right at the top of the window - the curtains hang about 4 inches below the window. Because we were using the hooks to pull them back I really wanted them a bit longer but it looks fine actually. Have you checked JC Penney - they have quite a selection and you might be able to order the correct length.

CurlyOver40! · 09-05-2008, 10:33 AM

If you like the 'puddled' at the floor look, then I would go longer.
Although, I think the puddled look is for more formal rooms???

PixieCurl · 09-05-2008, 10:35 AM

The rods are already up from the previous owners (we've lived in this house for 2 years and are just getting around to this LOL... but in our defense we never use the downstairs) so I'd rather not move them if we don't have to. It's not a bad idea though.

I did check JC Penney, and they don't seem to have the shorter length. I also didn't see any plain, simple, customs that were inexpensive. I need 10 panels (or 5 pairs) and was looking to spend around $100.

Will it look bad if I just get the 54" ones and let them be long?

PixieCurl · 09-05-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurlyOver40!

If you like the 'puddled' at the floor look, then I would go longer.
Although, I think the puddled look is for more formal rooms???

I'm not looking for floor-length, I'd like it to just cover the window.

xcptnl · 09-05-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PixieCurl

The rods are already up from the previous owners (we've lived in this house for 2 years and are just getting around to this LOL... but in our defense we never use the downstairs) so I'd rather not move them if we don't have to. It's not a bad idea though.

I did check JC Penney, and they don't seem to have the shorter length. I also didn't see any plain, simple, customs that were inexpensive. I need 10 panels (or 5 pairs) and was looking to spend around $100.

Will it look bad if I just get the 54" ones and let them be long?

I don't think that is too long - I would go with those lengths.

rileyb · 09-05-2008, 10:45 AM

Hmm, do you have a pic of the panels? I can't envision it - if they are drapes, they are meant to go to the baseboard or longer which is why most panels are 84 inches. I think it will look weird if they are just randomly a foot longer than the window but it might depend on the type of panel.

spring1onu · 09-05-2008, 11:32 AM

Just thought I'd throw this out there, but what about a valance type treatment? I wasn't sure if you were hanging curtains for privacy or not so thought I'd suggest it. We have awkward windows in our bedroom and I'm doing something like this in them since we have roller shades for light blocking. It would certainly be cheaper per window if you find some fabric on sale. You could use the current rods with some clip rings and whatever fabric you choose and it would eliminate finding something pre-made that is the correct length. Either way good luck! I know how frustrating finding the right window treaments/solutions can be.

This blog has a lot of good ideas and this particular link is for valances:
http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2...-valances.html

PixieCurl · 09-05-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rileyb

Hmm, do you have a pic of the panels? I can't envision it - if they are drapes, they are meant to go to the baseboard or longer which is why most panels are 84 inches. I think it will look weird if they are just randomly a foot longer than the window but it might depend on the type of panel.

That could explain why I'm seeing so much in 84". I too thought it would look weird to have them be a foot longer than the window, but I was hoping everyone would tell me it was fine, to make it easier on me

Quote:

Originally Posted by spring1onu

Just thought I'd throw this out there, but what about a valance type treatment? I wasn't sure if you were hanging curtains for privacy or not so thought I'd suggest it. We have awkward windows in our bedroom and I'm doing something like this in them since we have roller shades for light blocking. It would certainly be cheaper per window if you find some fabric on sale. You could use the current rods with some clip rings and whatever fabric you choose and it would eliminate finding something pre-made that is the correct length. Either way good luck! I know how frustrating finding the right window treaments/solutions can be.

This blog has a lot of good ideas and this particular link is for valances:
http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2...-valances.html

Thanks for the link! I did think of valances, but we need the curtains for privacy because we plan to have guests sleep downstairs sometimes.

spring1onu · 09-05-2008, 01:01 PM

Pixie, if you're not into sewing you could buy panels that you like, cut off the excess and use an iron-on fusible webbing to hem the curtains or just use fabric glue. You may even be able to find some use for the excess fabric if there is enough of it to use in the room somehow like pillows.