Hanging curtains for standard-sized ceilings is tricky enough, what more for rooms with higher ceilings? In case you're wondering about the recommended curtain length for an 11' ceiling, you've come to the right page. We asked the experts about it and here's their answer.
The recommended curtain length for an 11' ceiling is 120". You can find ready-made curtains of this size or have yours customized. These drapes would hang one foot from the ceiling down to the floor which will give the room a modern and elegant flair.
Keep on reading to know more about the proper way of hanging curtains over high ceilings and getting the correct measurement that you need. This article will also answer if curtains have to touch the floor and how far curtains should extend past the window. Let's go right into it!
How long should curtains be for 11-foot ceilings?
Ceiling height is directly proportional to the curtain length. Standard ceilings are between 8' and 9' tall. Their window heights can range from 42" to 60". Consequently, they require 84" to 96" curtain lengths if we're going with floor-length drapes.
But if we're talking about houses or rooms with higher ceilings, then you can expect windows to be taller as well to achieve a proportional look not just inside but also outside the house.
Experts say that houses with ceiling heights of 11' above have windows and doors that are 7' to 8' tall.
In this case, the recommended curtain length for these taller windows is at least 120" or 10' to make way for clearance above the window frame (intended for your curtain pole or track) and for the drapes to reach the floor.
Find these 120" curtains on Amazon.
Of course, if you have floor-to-ceiling windows, you'll need to hang 132" draperies to cover the entire length. You will mount your hardware for hanging curtains on the ceiling since there's no space between the window and the ceiling.
Click this link to find this curtain rod ceiling-mount bracket on Amazon.
Good thing that there are ready-made curtains available in this length so you can just choose your preferred design, texture, and color to go with the rest of the room.
For future reference, you can add 12" for every foot added to the ceiling height. In the same way, you can subtract increments of 12" for lower ceilings.
For example, if you have a 12' ceiling, add 12" to 120" so the curtain length should be 132". If you have a 10' ceiling, subtract 12" from 120" which will give you a recommended length of 108".
Proper Length of Curtain Panels
It is always a good practice to get the particular measurement that you need since not all windows are the same.
Here's a guide for measuring the right curtain length depending on the curtain's top treatment.
- If you're using a curtain track, measure from the top of the track all the way to your preferred curtain drop.
- If you have curtain hooks or rings on your pole or rod, measure from the tip of the rings where you fasten the draperies down to the finished length position that you desire.
- If your curtains come with built-in grommets or rod pockets, you can measure from the curtain rod to where you want the drapery to drop.
The measurement that you get should be the curtain length that you'll be looking for once you go shopping for your new draperies.
You can also have your draperies customized so that you can achieve the exact style that you're going for.
Take note that you can also adjust the length. The curtains can drop half an inch above the floor to give a floating look or you can add six inches to your measurement if you want your draperies to be puddled on the floor to create some drama.
Do curtains have to touch the floor?
With curtains, it is always about form and function. Aside from their basic purpose of filtering light, providing privacy, and preventing drafts, they also make lovely backdrops to the room.
Hanging curtains have become a fashion statement for every home and rightfully so because these beautiful fabrics can transform the look of the room in an instant. Their colors, texture, and design can enhance your interior's overall look.
As such, there are some fashion rules that you need to follow if you want to make your room look like it has been designed by a pro.
Curtains have never gone out of style but they do need to keep up with the times to give homes a contemporary effect. In this aspect, curtain length can make or break the look that you're aiming for.
There was once a time when short curtains were the norm but they are now considered faux pas in home design.
Interior designers now recommend hanging long curtains over your windows. Floor-length curtains are the way to go. They say these draperies make the room look taller.
Since the draperies touch the floor, they can integrate the wall with the floor giving the room a more cohesive look.
As mentioned earlier, you can play a bit with the curtain's length as it drops to the floor. You can make it appear as if your curtains are floating or puddled on the floor depending on your preference.
Just don't let it drop a couple of inches above the floor as this will break the wall-to-floor connection. It will also look awkward and make your ceilings appear shorter which defeats the purpose of your high ceiling.
Do longer curtains make a room look bigger?
You will often hear this about long curtains. Experts encourage the use of these draperies because they make your room look bigger. Some even go as far as saying that you should hang your curtains as close to the ceiling as possible and let them drop all the way to the floor.
The reason behind this is to create an illusion of space. When you hang floor-to-ceiling curtains, you're subtly guiding the eye to follow the long and seamless line from the top to the bottom of the wall. The window isn't disconnected from the wall so there's no division of space.
It would also help to choose light-colored fabrics for your draperies such as white or light gray. Brighter shades will also help make the room look larger or curtains that have vertical stripe patterns.
Check out this striped curtain on Amazon.
How far should curtains extend past the window?
Installing the right length of curtain rods is very important in hanging beautiful draperies over your windows. While we understand that each window is different, experts recommend that your curtain rods extend at least 3" from each side of your window frame.
This will allow you to maximize your windows when you open your curtains during the day. You can hang the curtains on the side so they won't hinder your view of the window and the outdoors.
If you want your window to appear wider and if you have the space for it, you can extend your rods up to 10" on the sides of your window. But keep in mind that you would need to use more curtain panels to cover the entire width the longer your curtain rods extend past your window.
Final Thoughts
120" draperies would look best in 11' ceilings. They will help put the different elements of the room together without reducing the significance of the tall height of your ceiling.
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