The Best Way to Hang Curtains on 8 Foot Walls
Having high ceilings that extend 8 feet or more can be a gorgeous architectural detail in a home. However, decorating and filling the vertical space in a room with extra tall walls and ceilings requires some special consideration. Hang curtains and window treatments improperly, and the proportions can seem skewed, with the curtains appearing too short or too close to the ceiling. Get the length and height right though, and your curtains can turn that towering ceiling into a real focal point.
Follow these handy guidelines to ensure your curtains are properly sized and hung to complement the height of 8 foot walls. With the right tricks and tips, you can use your floor to ceiling curtains to make the space appear even more grand and spacious.
Determine the Right Curtain Length for 8 Foot Ceilings
When it comes to picking the optimal curtain length for an 8 foot ceiling, the general rule of thumb is to choose curtains that are around 84 inches long. This translates to 7 feet, leaving you with about 1 foot of space between the top of the curtain and the actual ceiling once they are hung.
Having curtains this length prevents two unwanted scenarios. First, it keeps the curtains from pooling too much on the floor and dragging. Second, it means the curtains aren't too close to the ceiling itself. Curtains that are too short for the ceiling height look out of proportion and undersized.
Avoid Curtains Touching the Floor or Ceiling
You don't want curtains to completely puddle on the floor when hung. Not only can this create a trip hazard, it makes the windows appear shorter than they actually are. Similarly, you don't want fabric brushing right up against the ceiling when the curtains are closed. This diminishes the sense of height in the room.
Leaving that 1 foot gap between the top of the curtain and the ceiling maintains the right proportions. The ceiling is framed but not obscured or overpowered. In general, the taller the ceiling, the longer your curtains should be to maintain this ideal spacing.
Follow General Guidelines for a Proper Fit
While the height of the ceiling should dictate what curtain length you buy, follow these general guidelines as well:
- For 8 to 9 foot ceilings: 84 to 108 inch curtains
- For 9 to 10 foot ceilings: 108 to 120 inch curtains
- For 10 to 12 foot ceilings: 120 to 144 inch curtains
Measure your ceiling height and existing windows carefully before purchasing curtains. This ensures you find the optimal length for the best look and functionality.
Determine Optimal Curtain Rod Height on 8 Foot Walls
Installing the curtain rod is a key step in the process of hanging curtains. For 8 foot ceilings, the standard height to mount a curtain rod is about 6 to 8 inches above the window frame. Go much lower than 6 inches, and the curtains will appear oddly low and undersized for the height of the wall.
Hanging the rod several inches above the window frame also has a practical purpose. It enables the curtains to clear any window hardware when they're opened and prevent any scraping or catching.
Prevent Curtains from Appearing Too Short
Measuring and marking where to install your curtain rod is an important step. When determining the height, account for the length of your curtains and how much clearance you want from the ceiling. A higher rod position prevents the curtains from looking too stubby and out of scale for the room.
Don't just estimate the height by eye - always measure first. You can use painter's tape to map out exactly where the brackets should go before drilling and leave it up until you're fully satisfied with the proportions.
Create Pleasing Room Proportions
Where you ultimately install the curtain rod impacts the whole look and feel of the room. The right height balances the curtains nicely with the full ceiling height. It maintains an attractive sense of proportions within the space.
Let the height of your ceiling guide where you position the rod. Standard mounting heights can be adapted to make the curtains align harmoniously with the vertical dimensions in the room.
Hanging Curtains Higher for Added Visual Interest
While conventional wisdom states to hang curtain rods about 6 to 8 inches above the window frame, you also have the option of mounting the rod higher on an 8 foot wall. In fact, hanging your curtain rod closer to the ceiling instead can create a very appealing look in rooms with extra tall walls.
Hanging curtains high makes them more of a decorative focal point. Take them all the way up near the ceiling, and they become an enticing frame for the windows rather than just standard window dressings.
Adds Drama and Visual Appeal
Hanging the curtain rod closer to the actual ceiling instead of just above the window adds drama. The curtains become more of an architectural feature that enhance the vertical space.
This positioning works especially well if you have beautiful tall windows. The curtains become an eye-catching part of defining the overall proportions in the room.
Ideal for Rooms With Tall Ceilings
Rooms with 8 foot ceilings give you more flexibility when it comes to curtain rod height. Take advantage of all that vertical space by experimenting with hanging them higher than in rooms with standard ceiling heights.
The effect can be very eye-catching and make the ceilings seem even taller. Just take care that the bottom of the curtains still clear any windows or radiators so they can open fully.
Let Ceiling Height Dictate Curtain Length Needed
When selecting the perfect curtain length for your windows, the most important factor to consider is the height of your ceiling. This should dictate how long you need your curtains to be, rather than basing it on the size of the window itself.
For instance, even if you have shorter windows, you would still need 84 inch curtains for an 8 foot ceiling. The length complements the height of the wall, not necessarily the exact window dimensions.
Don't Base Length on Just the Window
Many people wrongly assume they should base the length of the curtains solely on their window size. But window height and ceiling height don't necessarily correlate.
Basing curtain length on the window alone means they likely won't fit the room proportions correctly. Ceiling height is the critical factor for choosing how long your curtains should be.
Finding the Right Balance
You want your curtains to be in sync with the height of the ceiling, regardless of whether you have short windows or floor to ceiling ones. Following general guidelines for your ceiling height helps achieve this ideal balance.
This provides sufficient clearance between the curtain tops and ceiling for the best fit. You get an overall cohesive look tailored specifically for your vertical room dimensions.
Allow Enough Space Between Curtains and Windows
When hanging curtains, don't just consider the height - also account for leaving enough space between the curtains themselves and the walls or windows. For standard windows, allow for a gap of about 12 inches between the edge of the curtains and the window or wall.
This prevents the curtains from bumping, scraping, or catching on window sills and hardware. It also means the curtains have clearance to be fully opened without any obstructions.
Enable Proper Installation and Functionality
Trying to hang curtains too close to windows can cause operational issues. Proper clearance enables you to fully draw curtains open and shut them smoothly.
Sufficient space also allows brackets to be installed at the optimal position. Avoid drilling and placing screws right next to or through window frames when possible.
Prevent Catching and Scraping Issues
Fabrics catching on hardware, crank handles, and edges of the window itself is another common issue. This causes wear and tear over time as well as impeded functionality.
Leaving ample room between the window edge and curtains prevents annoying scraping and catching. The curtains glide cleanly past without risk of damage.
Curtain Styles that Complement 8 Foot Ceilings
While almost any style of curtain can potentially work for an 8 foot wall, certain types are especially well-suited to maximizing these tall vertical spaces. Choose an option with clean lines and simple detailing to keep the look timeless and understated.
Sleek, Modern Pencil Pleat Curtains
Pencil pleat curtains feature neat, narrow folded pleats that provide a sleek, streamlined look. These lightweight curtains style beautifully on taller windows.
The slim pleats add subtle interest without overwhelming the eye or disrupting the vertical lines. Pencil pleats soften hard edges and add depth and movement.
Minimalist Grommet Curtains
Grommet top curtains have a casual, unfussy look consisting of simple openings for the curtain rod. The grommet tops keep the lines very clean and minimal.
These are an easy, contemporary way to add privacy and softness to windows without complicating the architecture. They allow tall windows to take center stage.
Choosing Complementary Curtain Colors for 8 Foot Ceilings
Color choice plays a key role in making your curtains blend harmoniously with 8 foot ceilings. Follow some basic guidelines when selecting shades to ensure they enhance the proportions rather than compete with the vertical space.
Avoid Extremely Dark or Bold Colors
Deep, dramatic colors like black or crimson can appear overwhelming on very tall ceilings and walls. The saturated shade makes the space feel closed in and heavy.
Opt for medium-toned greys, taupes, blues, and greens instead. These have a lightening effect that plays up the sense of airy height.
Sheer and Light-Filtering Fabrics
Fabrics that filter and diffuse light prevent ceilings from appearing lower than they are. Sheers, for instance, allow light through while still providing privacy.
Opaque heavy drapes block light, reducing the sense of vertical space. Light-filtering fabrics like linens and cottons lift and brighten the room.
Additional Height and Lighting Considerations
Aside from selecting the right curtain length, height, and style, also factor in how other elements like lighting affect the proportions. Clever tricks using light and lines can make rooms appear even taller.
Incorporate Vertical Lines in Decor
Add vertical details through wallpaper patterns, wall paneling, or decor pieces like floor lamps. Vertical lines draw the eye up, emphasizing height. Avoid horizonally-dominant patterns that cut the space.
Repeat colors from the curtains elsewhere for visual continuity. Tall plants, gallery walls, and floor-to-ceiling shelves also direct sightlines upwards.
Use Both Natural and Artificial Light
Take advantage of ample natural light from tall windows, but also consider adding accent lighting. Install sconces to illuminate and highlight architectural details near the ceiling.
Lighting casts a glow upwards, emphasizing the dimensionality. Add adjustable height pendant lights to maximize versatility.
Achieve an Optimal Overall Look
When hanging curtains on 8 foot ceilings, consider the complete picture. Make sure all elements like windows, rods, drapery panels, colors, and lighting align not just individually but collectively.
Everything should work in harmony for a cohesive aesthetic. Avoid mismatches between the scale of the curtains and the wall height, or lighting that conflicts with the colors.
Balance Proportions and Visual Weight
Heavier curtains visually anchor a room, making ceilings appear lower. Light and breezy sheer panels draw the eye up to the architectural details.
Likewise, large prints or dense patterns add visual weight compared to solid colors. Scale patterns appropriately so they don't overwhelm.
Troubleshoot an Imbalanced Look
If your curtains look off, assess whether length, mounting height, or fullness may be disproportionate for the ceiling height. Also consider if color/pattern might be making the room feel too heavy.
You can remedy issues by adjusting the rod height, choosing different curtains, or adding well-placed lighting to brighten and lift.
Outfitting windows in rooms with 8 foot ceilings demands special attention to proportions. Follow our key tips like selecting the optimal curtain length and rod height to beautifully frame tall vertical spaces.
Details like leaving ample clearance around windows, choosing weightless fabrics, and incorporating vertical lines prevent proportions from skewing off-kilter. Hanging curtains well above standard heights also capitalizes on the ceiling length.
You can accentuate and complement soaring spaces with the right guidelines.