Curtain Hanging Height: How High to Hang Curtains for Best Look

When it comes to curtain hanging height, the vertical position where you mount your curtain rod affects how tall your windows appear and how polished your room looks. Also known as curtain rod placement, this small detail makes a big difference—hang them too low and your room feels smaller; hang them right and suddenly your space feels taller, brighter, and more intentional. Most people guess wrong. They hang curtains right at the top of the window frame, thinking it’s neat or conservative. But that’s the #1 mistake. It cuts off the window visually and makes ceilings feel lower.

The smart fix? Hang your curtain rod 4 to 6 inches above the window frame. If you have crown molding, mount the rod just below it—that’s even better. This creates a seamless line from ceiling to floor, drawing the eye upward. Pair this with curtains that pool slightly on the floor (about 1/2 inch to 1 inch of extra fabric), and you’ve got that effortless, high-end look you see in magazines. It’s not about expensive fabric—it’s about placement. The same curtains hung higher and longer can make a tiny room feel airy, or a tall room feel cozy.

Related to this are curtain length, how far down the fabric falls from the rod. Also known as window treatments, this isn’t just about covering glass—it’s about rhythm. Curtains that end at the sill look like they’re on vacation. Curtains that end at the floor, but don’t touch it, look precise. And if you want drama, let them kiss the floor just a little. Then there’s curtain styling, how you arrange the fabric, whether it’s drawn back, left open, or layered with sheers. These aren’t separate topics—they all work together. A rod placed too low ruins even the longest, most luxurious curtain. A perfect length means nothing if the rod is crooked or too short for the window width.

You’ll find plenty of guides that say "hang curtains to the ceiling," but that’s not always practical. In rentals, with tricky trim, or in rooms with low ceilings, you need options. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s proportion. If your window is wide, extend the rod 6 to 12 inches beyond each side. That makes the window feel larger and lets light flow in without harsh edges. In bedrooms, where privacy matters, make sure the curtains fully cover the window when closed. In living rooms, where you want to show off the view, leave a little gap at the top for a clean silhouette.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t theory—it’s real-world fixes. From how to measure for the perfect drop, to what to do when your walls are uneven, to why some people swear by ceiling-mounted rods in small spaces. No fluff. No jargon. Just clear, tested advice from people who’ve hung curtains in every kind of home—old flats, new builds, rentals, and cottages. You’ll see what works, what doesn’t, and why the smallest change in height can change the whole feel of a room.