Curtains: How High Above the Window Should You Hang Them?

Most people hang curtains just above the window trim and wonder why their room still feels a little flat. Here’s the thing—the height you hang your curtains can totally change the look and feel of your space. It’s not just about covering the glass. Done right, you can make any room feel taller, brighter, and more put together—no massive renovation needed.

If you measure from the top of your window, a good rule is to go at least 4 to 6 inches higher. Want to give your room some real drama? Go even higher, like halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling, or even all the way up to the ceiling if you’re feeling bold. This simple move pulls the eye up and gives an instant lift. Most designers skip the just-above-the-trim look for exactly this reason—it looks so much sharper higher up.

• Why Curtain Height Matters
• The Perfect Height: What the Experts Say
• Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
• Quick Tricks for Nailing the Look

Why Curtain Height Matters

Hanging your curtains at the right height can totally change how a room looks and feels. Most people don’t realize it, but curtain placement can actually trick your brain, making your windows appear larger and your ceilings feel taller—even in a space with low ceilings or small windows. Designers swear by this because it’s such an easy win for the eyes.

If curtains are hung too low, everything starts to look squat and boxed in. You end up shrinking your walls instead of stretching them. That’s why, when you look at Pinterest or flip through popular home magazines, you’ll notice that curtain height always starts well above the window itself. It’s deliberate—and it instantly gives a room a more polished, high-end vibe.

This isn’t just about looks, either. Getting the height right helps you control light better. Curtains hung higher with enough length can block light from sneaking through gaps at the top, which comes in handy for bedrooms or TV rooms where you want everything dark. Plus, hanging curtains closer to the ceiling generally lets in more daylight around the window edges when they’re open, brightening the whole place up.

It all comes down to this: curtain height is a tiny detail that makes a big impact. You don’t need fancy drapes or new furniture; just raising that rod can create a room that feels bigger, brighter, and just a lot more “done.”

The Perfect Height: What the Experts Say

Ask five interior designers about curtain height and you’ll hear one thing on repeat: hang your curtains high. The basic rule from the pros is to mount the curtain rod at least 4 to 6 inches above the top of the window frame. Some go as high as 12 inches, or even closer to the ceiling if your ceilings aren’t super tall. This trick draws eyes upward, making even small rooms feel open and airy.

The curtain height sweet spot often lands halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling. Emily Henderson, a well-known interior stylist, says, "If you have space, max out the rod height for drama." She’s not alone—HGTV’s guide basically echoes this advice. Don’t just wing it—grab a tape measure and know your numbers.

• If your ceiling is 8 feet, aim for 6-8 inches above the window.
• For 9- to 10-foot ceilings, you can push the rod up to 12 inches or right below crown molding.
• Ceiling-mounted rods work best with floor-to-ceiling curtains for a sleek, high-end look.

Thinking of following the package instructions? Be careful. Many store-bought curtains are 84 inches long. But if you hang the rod high, these might end up too short. Most designers recommend 90 or 96 inch panels for that tall, full look, unless your windows are tiny.

Another not-so-obvious tip: always make sure your curtains just kiss the floor or barely puddle for a polished look. Floating curtains (the ones that awkwardly dangle a few inches above the floor) are a dead giveaway that the rod’s hung too low.

Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Screwing up curtain height is way more common than you'd think, and it can make all the difference between a room that feels finished and one that just looks off. Let’s break down what goes wrong—and how to make it right.

• Hanging Curtains Too Low. The biggest mistake most folks make? Putting the rod just above the window frame. This chops up your wall and makes your ceiling feel lower. Here’s a quick fix: move the rod at least 4-6 inches above the frame, or even higher for maximum impact.
• Going Too Narrow. If your rod is just as wide as the window, the curtains will block light and your window looks cramped. A simple solution is to extend the rod 8-12 inches past each side. That way, curtains can stack off the window and fool the eye into thinking the window (and whole wall) is bigger.
• Buying Curtains That Are Too Short. Curtains that stop mid-wall look awkward—like pants that are too small. Always measure from where you plan to hang the rod to about a half-inch above the floor. If you’re stuck with short curtains, try lowering the rod a bit (but not too much) or layer with longer sheers underneath.
• Ignoring the Room Height. Nine-foot ceilings? Don’t settle for off-the-shelf curtains made for 8-foot rooms. Custom curtain length goes a long way in making the space look polished.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet with the most common goofs and how to fix them:

If you remember one thing, it’s this: the curtain height and rod placement are what make your windows (and your room) shine, not just the fabric you pick. Mess this up and even the fanciest curtains won’t help.

Quick Tricks for Nailing the Look

Getting curtain height right seems tricky, but a few easy moves can take your windows from blah to wow with almost no effort. Here are the game-changing tips everyone with windows should know.

• Start your rods high. Don’t let the rod sit right on the window frame. Go 4 to 6 inches above, or all the way up to the ceiling for a super tall look. Measure from the floor—not just the window—to make sure both sides are level.
• Go wide. Extend the curtain rod 6 to 12 inches past the edge of the window frame. This makes your window look wider and lets in way more light when the curtains are open.
• Check your curtain length. Curtains should just kiss the floor or hover half an inch above it. Too short and they look awkward, like pants that shrunk in the wash. Go for panels labeled as "floor-length" or custom hem them if needed.
• Don’t skip measuring. Grab a steel tape for accuracy—soft measuring tapes slip or sag. Measure twice, hang once.

Professional designers almost never hang curtains right on the window trim. Emily Henderson, a popular interior stylist, puts it simply:

“Hang your curtains high and wide. It tricks the eye, the windows look bigger, and your rooms just feel grander.”

If you really want that high-end look, match your curtain rods to other hardware in the room for a pulled-together vibe. Ignore the urge to get too fancy with the rod—simple works best in most spaces.

The big takeaway: To get window treatments that scream style, focus on the height—get those curtains up and out. A little bit of measuring goes a long way to nailing that curtain height like a pro.