What Height to Hang a Curtain Rod
Hang the curtain rod 10 to 15 cm above the window frame, and let it overhang by 15 to 20 cm on each side. This high, wide placement visually enlarges the window, lets in more light when the curtain is open, and gives a straight drape from top to floor. For an effect that enlarges the whole room, move the rod closer to the ceiling.
The hanging height changes the feel of the whole room. Kurtens makes custom curtains at the right length for your rod height, delivered ready to hang.
The rule: hang high and wide
A rod placed right at the top of the frame crushes the window and shortens the wall. The opposite rule almost always applies: hang high and wide. For height, the rod sits 10 to 15 cm above the frame, which stretches the window upwards. For width, it overhangs by 15 to 20 cm on each side, so the open curtain clears the glass instead of hiding it.
These measurements give a visually larger window, more light, and a curtain that hangs straight without pulling. It is the most universal setting, whatever the room.
The hanging measurements, one by one
| Measurement | Reference | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Rod height | 10 to 15 cm above the frame | Enlarges the window upwards |
| Side overhang | 15 to 20 cm each side | Clears the glass, more light |
| Curtain length | Just touching the floor | Straight, crisp drape |
| Near-ceiling placement | Above the 15 cm, towards the ceiling | Enlarges the whole room |
The 15 to 20 cm overhang matches the space the curtain takes when folded to the side: without it, the open curtain eats into part of the glass.
High placement or ceiling placement?
Two options depending on the effect you want. The standard placement, 10 to 15 cm above the frame, suits most windows and already gives a nice enlargement. The near-ceiling placement, rod raised as high as possible, stretches the whole wall and gives a sense of ceiling height. Keep it for rooms where you want to maximise the vertical effect, with a curtain that starts at the ceiling and falls to the floor.
Match the curtain length to the rod height
The higher the rod, the longer the curtain must be to touch the floor. This is where measuring matters: a curtain that is too short after a high placement leaves an unsightly gap between the bottom of the curtain and the floor. Measure the height from the top of the rod to the floor before choosing the length. To take your measurements, see the measuring guide. To fix the rod itself, including without drilling, see how to hang curtains without drilling.
A curtain at the right length from the start
Once the rod height is decided, the curtain must follow to the exact centimetre. Kurtens makes curtains custom in a range of colors and fabrics, delivered ready to hang: you give the height from the top of the rod to the floor, the curtain arrives at the right length. To also choose the heading type, see the heading guide, then the Kurtens custom curtains.
Frequently asked questions
What height should you hang a curtain rod?
Hang the rod 10 to 15 cm above the window frame. This high placement enlarges the window upwards and gives a straight drape. To enlarge the whole room, move the rod closer to the ceiling.
How far should the rod overhang on each side?
Let the rod overhang by 15 to 20 cm on each side of the frame. This overhang matches the space of the folded curtain: it clears the glass when the curtain is open and lets in more light.
Should you hang the rod at the ceiling or above the window?
Placement 10 to 15 cm above the frame suits most windows. Near-ceiling placement stretches the whole wall and gives a sense of height: keep it for rooms where you want to maximise the vertical effect.
Does the rod height change the curtain length?
Yes. The higher the rod, the longer the curtain must be to touch the floor. Always measure from the top of the rod to the floor before choosing the length, or you will leave a gap at the bottom.
Does a high placement really enlarge the window?
Yes, that is the intended effect. Hanging the rod high and wide stretches the window upwards and to the sides, which makes it look bigger and lets in more light once the curtain is open.
The right rod height enlarges the window; the curtain must follow to the centimetre. Have your curtain made at the right length as a Kurtens custom curtain, delivered ready to hang.
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