Chapter 8: Styling and Decor
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Day 43: Window Treatments (Curtains)
The 'curtain trick' to make your room look taller and grander!
2 min read
📖 The "High and Wide" Rule...
Aarti bought very expensive silk curtains and hung them on a rod right above the window, matching the exact width of the window. The curtains only reached down to the window sill. The room suddenly looked small and awkward (like wearing pants that are too short)!
Curtains aren't just for covering windows — they are meant to create an architectural illusion!
Aarti bought very expensive silk curtains and hung them on a rod right above the window, matching the exact width of the window. The curtains only reached down to the window sill. The room suddenly looked small and awkward (like wearing pants that are too short)!
Curtains aren't just for covering windows — they are meant to create an architectural illusion!
The 3 Magical Rules for Hanging Curtains
1. Hang High — The Illusion of Height:
DO NOT install the curtain rod right above the window! Install the rod at the midpoint between the window and the ceiling, or ideally, just 2-3 inches below the ceiling. This draws the eye upward and makes the room look 1-2 feet taller!
2. Hang Wide — The Illusion of Width:
Extend the curtain rod 8 to 12 inches wider than the window frame on both sides. When the curtains are open, they shouldn't block the glass; they should cover that extra wall space. This makes the window look 2 feet wider and lets 100% of the natural light in!
3. The Kiss — The Length Rule:
⚠️ Short Curtains = Big No!:
Half-window curtains are very common in India. Please don't do this! In living rooms and bedrooms, curtains should ALWAYS reach the floor.
• The Floor Kiss: The curtain just barely touches the floor (1/2 inch) — the cleanest, most modern look.
• Puddling: The curtain extends 1-2 inches onto the floor — a romantic, formal look, but harder to clean.
Half-window curtains are very common in India. Please don't do this! In living rooms and bedrooms, curtains should ALWAYS reach the floor.
• The Floor Kiss: The curtain just barely touches the floor (1/2 inch) — the cleanest, most modern look.
• Puddling: The curtain extends 1-2 inches onto the floor — a romantic, formal look, but harder to clean.
Types of Curtain Folds
- 🪡 Eyelet / Ring Top: Most common in India. Gives a casual and modern look.
- 🪡 Pinch Pleat: Formal, tailored look. Uses hooks and a channel track. This gives the most luxurious (5-star hotel) look.
- 🪡 Sheers: Transparent white curtains. Hang these on a secondary inner rod along with your main curtains. They filter sunlight during the day while maintaining privacy.
💡 The "Fullness" Formula:
A curtain shouldn't look like a flat piece of fabric when closed. It needs folds. Always buy fabric that is 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window. (If your window is 4 feet wide, your total curtain fabric should be at least 8 feet wide!). Less fabric = a cheap, stingy look!
A curtain shouldn't look like a flat piece of fabric when closed. It needs folds. Always buy fabric that is 2 to 2.5 times the width of the window. (If your window is 4 feet wide, your total curtain fabric should be at least 8 feet wide!). Less fabric = a cheap, stingy look!