The Do’s and Don’ts of Hanging Curtains (And Why It Matters)

Curtains are one of those finishing touches that seem simple… until they’re not.

I see it all the time, beautiful furniture, great colour choices, lovely styling… and then curtains that quietly undo all that good work. Not because they’re ugly or cheap, but because they’ve been hung just slightly wrong.

The good news? Hanging curtains correctly is less about rules and more about a few key do’s and don’ts that make a huge visual difference.

Let’s make it easy.

DO: Hang Curtains High

This is the big one.

Hanging curtains high (close to the ceiling) draws the eye upward and instantly makes a room feel taller and more spacious. It gives that polished, hotel-like look that makes a space feel finished rather than “something’s missing”.

In most rooms, I recommend installing the track or rod:

• As close to the ceiling as possible, or

• Well above the window frame

  
  

This creates the illusion of height — even if your ceilings aren’t particularly high.

DON’T: Hang Curtains Directly Above the Window Frame

This is the most common mistake I see.

It feels logical to hang curtains just above the window… but visually, it cuts the wall in half and stops the eye from travelling upward. The result is a room that can feel shorter and a little bit flat.

If you’ve ever felt like your curtains are “fine” but not quite right — this is often why.

DO: Let Curtains Touch the Floor (or Almost)

Curtains should either:

• Gently touch the floor, or

• Sit just above it

  
  

This creates a clean, intentional finish.

Floor-length curtains make a room feel more considered and cohesive, especially in living rooms and bedrooms.

curtains should never float mid wall - they should always touch the floor

DON’T: Leave Curtains Floating Mid-Wall

Curtains that stop halfway between the window and the floor tend to look accidental — like they were measured incorrectly (even if they weren’t).

This can instantly make a space feel unfinished, no matter how lovely the fabric is.

DO: Make Curtains Wide Enough

Curtains shouldn’t just cover the window — they should frame it.

When open, curtain panels should sit mostly off the glass so:

• More natural light comes in

• The window appears wider

• The room feels lighter and more open

  
  

This small detail makes a big difference to how generous a window feels.

DON’T: Use Curtains That Are Too Narrow

Narrow curtains that barely cover the window can feel tight and restrictive. They often block light when open and make the window feel smaller than it is.

If you’re unsure, wider is usually better.

Final Thoughts

Curtains have a bigger impact than most people realise. Get them right, and they quietly elevate the entire room. Get them wrong, and something can feel “off” — even if you can’t quite put your finger on why.

The good news is that curtain tracks and rods can be moved. Nothing here is permanent, and small adjustments often make the biggest difference.

If you’d like help choosing curtain height, width, fabric, or pulling your whole room together so it feels cohesive and considered, my e-styling services are designed to give you clarity before you commit.