Confused about curtains. Pls help!

crayola

Hiya

Curtains are something I've simply never given a moment's thought to before having my own place, so I'd appreciate a bit of advice!

I've seen some lovely ones on sale in Debenhams but am now not sure if they'll fit our windows. They are the sort that would only really look good as long, drape curtains.

However the longest length available seems to be 230 cm and I think we need 250 or more.

I find this hard to believe as it isn't a massive window and is in a fairly average-sized Victorian room.

The window pane in question is 190cm tall and is raised 67cm off the ground. By my reckoning, this means a 230cm drop will be too short.

Am I missing something here? Do we really need 'extra long' curtains for this pretty average looking window?

Thanks!

Frank_E

It's up to you whether you hang them to just above FFL or to just below the sill.

ginvzt

Is your radiator under the window? If so, I would go for the curtains that do not cover it, otherwise you will be heating your room very inefficiently once curtains are closed.

If there is no radiator. I guess you would put curtain rail about 10cm above the window? So, 10cm above window, 190cm for the window and then 67cm below the window makes total length to the floor to be 267cm. So, if the curtain is 230cm, you have nearly 40cm to the ground. I guess all that matters if the look is ok with you. Is the rail in place already? Why don't you try putting something to 'imitate' the length of the curtain and see what you think? (A long string, a sheet, a long scarf or shawl to get it down to the level the curtain be)

I think it depends on the curtain - while some of the curtains will look good this way,some other designs might look odd if ended in the middle.

crayola

ginvzt wrote: »

Is your radiator under the window? If so, I would go for the curtains that do not cover it, otherwise you will be heating your room very inefficiently once curtains are closed.

Good point, yes, we have a double radiator under the window so I guess the floor-length style I've dreamed about would be hopelessly impractical.

Will consider going shorter then - it will at least mean I can get the curtains I want! But I can't imagine them short tbh, they have big, bold floral pattern - one of those trendy retro-style designs. I fear that a shortened version in a living room may look a little tacky

Odd that they don't make them in floor-length style though - perhaps my imagining of them being good for drape curtains is just wrong! Hey ho, the shorter length is cheaper anyways...

ginvzt

crayola wrote: »

Odd that they don't make them in floor-length style though - perhaps my imagining of them being good for drape curtains is just wrong! Hey ho, the shorter length is cheaper anyways...

..an doesn't cover your radiator, thus keeping the heat in the room, and not just between the curtain and the window!