Lengthen Any Space by Hanging Long Curtains Near the Ceiling
Do you have a room with excessively high ceilings or tall, imposing windows that make your space feel cavernous? Are you seeking an easy fix to visually anchor and soften all that vertical space? Simply hang long, floor-length curtains close to the ceiling to instantly add perceived height and a new sense of proportion to any room.
Not only will delicately draping extra long curtains near the top of a tall wall or window instantly draw the eyes upwards and lend height, but the curtains also serve to balance out the proportions and define the expansive vertical space. Read on for pro tips on choosing and hanging lengthy curtains, from selecting lightweight, easy-gliding fabrics to accessories that make operation a breeze.
Why Hang Long Curtains Near The Ceiling?
Visually Expand Room Height
The quickest and easiest way to add the illusion of height in a space with high ceilings or tall windows is by hanging floor-length curtains from near the ceiling. As the eye tracks the long lines of the vertically-hanging curtains all the way down the wall, the space appears taller and less disjointed.
Rather than allowing the eye to stop at the top of a window or arbitrary point on the wall, the long curtains draw the gaze upwards, lending the room a pleasing elongated look and balance. Plus, unlike actually raising the ceiling which requires messy construction, hanging long drapes can be done in an afternoon!
Balance Out High Ceilings
Does your living room, bedroom or office have 12, 15 or even 20 foot ceilings? While all that headspace can feel airy, rooms with excess height often look out of proportion and cavernous. Floor-length curtains that start from near the top of the wall and puddle at the floor provide just the visual anchor the space needs.
The long lines of the tall curtains define the vertical space and make those double-height walls feel intentional instead of oddly expansive. Essentially, the lengthy drapes provide a band of fabric that gives the eyes a place to rest, framing the space beautifully.
Soften Tall Windows
Do you have towering floor-to-ceiling windows or slider doors in your towering great room or master suite? Consider framing them floor to ceiling with equally long, languid curtains. Hanging the panels from near the top of the windows will serve to anchor the tall openings and make them feel less imposing.
Additionally, the softly draped fabric will further soften the hard lines of the tall window frames. Overall, drawing the eye upwards with vertically hanging curtains makes the windows feel grand rather than disjointed from the proportions of the room.
Tips for Hanging Extra Long Curtains
Mount Curtain Rod Close to Ceiling
To visually raise ceilings or make windows appear taller, it's important to mount your long curtain rod or track as close to the ceiling as possible. Position the hardware 6-12 inches above the window or door frame. The higher the rod, the more you'll enhance the vertical space.
Calculate Proper Curtain Length
When selecting lengthy curtains for high spaces, ensure you'll have sufficient fabric to meet your desired length. Measure from the top of the curtain rod to the floor, then add an extra 4 inches so the panels puddle elegantly on the floor when open.
Choose Lightweight Fabrics
Since the curtains will be operating along considerable drop lengths, opt for lightweight, delicate fabrics like linens, sheers or silk blends which won't add too much gravitational pull. These breezy fabrics will stack and drape beautifully as well.
Steer clear of heavy brocades or velvets which will be difficult to smoothly raise and lower. The increased weight over such heights could damage rods as well.
Select Curtains With Weights
To prevent billowing and ensure smooth operation of floor-length curtains, look for curtains with slim weights sewn into the hem or ribbon ties along the leading edge. This extra weight will keep the lengthy panels hanging straight and prevent them from blowing around.
The incorporated weights also help the curtains glide effortlessly along their rods or tracks rather than getting stuck or bunching up.
Use Extendable Curtain Rods
Seeking adaptable solutions for spaces with varying ceiling types and heights? Opt for adjustable-length telescoping steel rods which can readily extend from 48 inches to 108 inches with a twist of the wrist. No need to cut them to size!
The flexibility makes these handy rods perfect for rentals, adjustable spaces or rooms with angled ceilings. Leave room to fine tune as needed once your long curtains are hung.
Styles of Floor-to-Ceiling Curtains
Grommet Curtains
Boasting simple metal grommets across the top, these casual-chic curtains offer an effortless way to dress tall windows or sliding doors. The grommet tops easily glide along slender curtain rods for unencumbered operation, while horizontal ribs add textural interest.
Grommet panels work wonderfully as lengthy living room curtains or alongside breezy linen sheers in bedrooms. Their lightweight design even makes these long curtains a smart choice for spanning wide curtain walls or multi-panel doors.
Pinch Pleat Curtains
The uniform, accordion-style folded pleats of these elegant long curtains will lend any space a polished, formal aesthetic. Hung from discrete rings, the weighted pleats waterfall beautifully from top to bottom, showcasing their finely tailored construction.
A pinch pleated heading adds just enough detail to make these verticle drapes sing, while still allowing them to stack tidily against the wall or glass when open. Their custom appearance makes pinch pleats ideal for dining rooms, studies or sitting areas.
Tab Top Curtains
Epitomizing transitional style with their mix of casual and tailored vibes, tab top curtains feature row of slim tabs rather than grommets or rings across the back of the heading. The result is an unfussy, minimalist look perfect for modern spaces.
When drawing the eyes upwards in a tall room, tab tops keep the view streamlined and visually light. For a seamless front, look for pale tabs that blend into light curtain colors. These curtains fit sliding doors beautifully while allowing views and light through when open.
Back Tab Curtains
For a play on the tab top style with an even lighter look, back tab curtains have their heading tabs rotated to hide along the back. With their inconspicuous design along the front, back tab curtains will essentially fade into the background at the top of your tall windows.
The tiny tabs serve their functional purpose in the back only, allowing these streamlined curtains to stack and slide with rarely a ripple. Showcase these sleek panels alongside antique wood rods and traditional drapery hardware for a contemporary twist.
Best Fabrics for Long Curtains
Sheer Curtains
Breezy, lightweight sheers softly filter incoming daylight while allowing for visibility and airflow. Linen and polyester sheers invite diffused natural light but offer full privacy at night. For height enhancement, sheer floor-length curtains frame tall vertical spaces beautifully.
Sheers pair handsomely with impermeable blackout-lined curtains on dual rods as well. Choose from gorgeous embroidered cotton sheers or subtly sparkling poly counterparts to lend an airy elegance.
Blackout Linings
For bedrooms, media rooms or nurseries, look for lengthy curtains with full blackout linings to prevent both incoming light and outdoor noise. By blocking stray rays and muffling sounds, the dark backings help create restful interior sanctuaries.
Pair the opaque blackout curtain panels with sheers if desired during daylight hours, then close only the room-darkening set at night. This layered look allows for both fully dark and daylight settings in one.
Velvet Curtains
Few fabrics exude formal luxury like the rich tactile brushed texture of cotton or silk velvet curtains. The fabric's fibers absorb sound while conveying a mood of timeless elegance perfect for formal dining rooms and studies.
Look for crush-resistant velvets to prevent permanent creasing and heavier weights that will drape beautifully floor-to-ceiling. Deep hues like emerald and sapphire enhance the plushness. For sound absorption, keep the reverse side velveted as well with matching backing.
Faux Silk Curtains
If you love the indulgent look of flowing silk curtains but seek a more budget-friendly alternative for floor-to-ceiling use, consider reasonably priced faux silk. Offering a similar draping effect, luster and graceful movement as silk, polyester faux silk replicates its elegance at a fraction of pure silk's cost.
Faux silk's light-filtering translucency works beautifully for bright spaces wanting to diffuse the light. The poly fabric also resists sun damage better than natural fibers. For an upscale look without the price tag, this is an excellent long curtain option.
With their elongating vertical lines and eye-drawing height, floor length curtains hung close to the ceiling are a decorator's secret weapon for visually expanding rooms with high ceilings or tall windows. By framing the abundant vertical space and directing sightlines upwards, the long draping fabric helps breathe balance and proportion into disproportionate areas.
Just choose lightweight fabrics and heading types allowing for easy operation along considerable drop lengths, and craft that coveted ceiling lift without messy construction or renovations. It turns out visually raising space is just a matter of lining tall walls or windows with lush vertically-hung fabric.