So I have been working on a curtain post for weeks now. All because my sister asked me to write about how to hang curtains. How can I write about a commonly blogged topic and add my spin? I thought I would share about how often to change your curtains, and I struggled to write it because I wasn’t feeling connected to it.
Then on a random run to get donuts and coffee, I thought about my curtains. I wasn’t an authority on curtain hanging. I just put up curtains because I saw my grandmother and great grandmother do it at the change of every season.
According to Google, I have been doing it wrong this whole time! Then I thought about the fact that I will have to buy all new curtains to hang them the right way. Yikes! I spent a few hundred on the curtains in my living room, and it took me years to acquire the curtains I already have. That’s a lot of money to have to spend again. And that’s when it hit me! I’m Resourceful Nikki, and I have a knack for creative problem-solving. It’s in my DNA! This post went from “how to hang curtains” to “how often to change curtains” to helping you figure out “how to lengthen your curtains” without breaking the bank. First, let’s talk about the right way to hang curtains…
The Right Way to Hang Curtains
Have you ever been minding your business and living in peaceful bliss until someone points out something you did wrong? Now you can’t stand the sight of it? That’s how I felt about my curtains. I have sat in my home admiring my curtains and how they add something to my rooms. I thought, “They’re curtains, you hang them, make sure they cover the window and BAM!” A simple question from my sister led me on a journey where I forced myself to look at my curtains. Now they look like a blemish in my room. I decided to write this post in the one place in my house with no curtains, so I don’t have to see my mistakes. I want to rip my curtains out and start all over again, but the budget-conscious part of me can’t bear to spend more money.
Rule of Thumb
The standard rule of thumb that is a consensus across Google about how to hang curtains is as follows:
- The curtain rod should be installed 4″-6 ” from the top of the window
- Purchase a rod to stretch 8″-12″ beyond the window width. That’s 4″-6″ on each side
- The length of the curtain should “kiss” or puddle on the floor 1″-2″
My drapes don’t puddle, and I am so frustrated right now, but I refuse to quit!
Give Yourself A Brake
Listen, if you have already hung up or purchased curtains, don’t fret. I’m talking to myself too. Creating is about learning, and learning is about going easy on yourself when things don’t happen the “right” way.
I plan to start with one room. The focus of my home is my living room, and that’s where I will begin purchasing new curtains for the windows. If I do this at least twice a year, I will gradually be able to do my whole house without breaking my bank.
What will you do with the old curtains, Nikki? Good question. I will neatly fold them up and store them for when I may need them again. Maybe I will find a friend who needs curtains that match; they could make a suitable curtain for dividing a room or a video backdrop, perhaps they could be used for a school project or a drop cloth. You will know when the time comes how you choose to repurpose your curtains. With extra curtains comes extra responsibility. That was my version of the Spiderman line, lol!
In the meantime, I had to think about some quick fixes for curtains that are too short. I’m a tall girl, and it made me think about the troubles I have had purchasing pants. Sure, I see plenty of long pants now, but I remember growing up with few long pants options for tall girls who were a size 0. It seemed like only the high-end designers had pants made for me, and my mom, Mama Resourceful, was not about to shell out that kind of money. I had to get creative by wearing boots to hide the shortness, letting down the hemline, or extending the leg length with extra fabric. These same techniques can apply to quick fixes for your too-short curtains while you are waiting to replace them.
Ideas On How To Lengthen Curtains
Option 1: Block Your Curtains
That’s right, hide the shortness. If your couch sits in front of your curtains, adjust your curtains’ height and voila! It’s like wearing a tall boot to hide that short pant leg. Just remember not to move that couch, and I will remember not to wear my highwater pants without boots!
Option 2: Undo The Hem
Most curtains have a two-inch hem at the bottom. Purchase a seam ripper and take the hem apart. My hem is only an inch, Nikki. This may sound crazy, but did you check the other end? Sometimes we may be hanging the curtain by the longer hem. If not, then use the hem you have. Some length is better than no length.
Use double-sided bonding tape to seal the remaining hem.
Option 3: Add Some Extra Fabric to the Bottom
Nikki, I don’t know about this. I don’t know how to sew. If you don’t know how to sew or don’t want to sew, it’s okay. My idea is to use fabric glue. Attach a rope or lace accent to hide the line between the panel and the new length.
Adding fabric is an excellent way to lengthen curtains that have grommets or eyelets (loops and holes for us non-curtainistas). My dining room curtains hang too low, and even if I let down the hem, I will still be shy 2″ of the proper length.
If you don’t have extra of the exact curtain fabric, you can be creative and use ribbon! It’s a no-hassle way to add length. As you can see in my images below, I have added a strip of 2″ wide satin ribbon, and then I used a beautiful silver color braided trim to hide the fusing of the seam. You can use any color trim including lace for sheer curtains. My photo examples are before my fabric glue application. I like to pin things together first to make sure it works well with my room, and it does! If you need help deciding what color to choose for your ribbon hem, read my post on How to Mix and Match Colors.
Option 4: Use Curtain Clip Rings
This is probably my top suggestion. Purchase the 2″ rings with clips and make sure they match your curtain rod color. They instantly provide length and can also be combined with letting down the hem. My son recently catapulted off the couch, pulling down my curtain in the process. I assumed it was on accident, but maybe he grew tired of seeing my curtains hung improperly. He probably thought to himself, “I’ll show you how to lengthen curtains, Mommy. I’ll pull them down so you can fix it!” And he was right. He is part of the motivation for fixing my curtains sooner rather than later. Thanks, son, for making me do better!
This is Your House and Your Dreams
“My house is me, and I am it. My house is where I like to be, and it looks like all my dreams.” A declaration of Mr. Plumbean in the book “The Big Orange Spot,” written by Daniel Manus Pinkwater. It’s a children’s book, but it talks about being an individual and not worrying about being the same. How and when you choose to lengthen your curtains is your call. Don’t feel pressure to fix your curtain length all at once based on what others are doing. Take your time! And these suggestions are temporary fixes toward the house that looks like all your dreams!
Do you plan to lengthen your curtains? Which option works best for you? Do you have any other suggestions? If you know someone who needs help with their curtains please share this post! Happy Creating!
