Published September 16, 2010 | Updated June 16, 2015 Curtains add privacy and style to a room, but before you buy a set, you'll need to know which size is right. You'll find that curtains usually come in lengths of 63 inches, 84 inches, 95 inches, 108 inches, and 120 inches. The length you choose will depend on the look that you want as well as the placement of your curtain rod. Get the Look with Curtains: Traditional StyleFor a classic, tailored look, hang your curtains 6 inches above a window frame, 3 inches beyond the sides, and 3 inches below the bottom. To get this look, measure the height of your window -- including the window frame -- and add 9 inches. Then, measure the width of the window; you'll want curtains that are about one-and-half times wider than the window for a crisp, tailored look. It is customary to have curtains and drapes hang beyond the sides of your windows. This provides three benefits: First, they completely hide the frame; second, when they are drawn open, they don't block any light from the window itself;

and third, the window appears larger than it really is. Contemporary StyleHanging curtains so they just touch the floor will give the room a more contemporary feeling. Measure from about 1 inch above the floor to the height above the window frame where you want to place the rod; this can be 6 inches above the frame or as high as the ceiling, if you prefer. The width of the curtains can be one-and-half to three times wider than the window; for visual balance, the higher you hang your curtain rod, the fuller the curtains should be. Luxurious StyleFor a truly opulent look, hang your curtains as close to the ceiling as you can and let them "puddle" a bit on the floor. This works best with sheer curtains, as heavy draperies are often too stiff to rest on the floor in a natural way. To have enough fabric for this effect, measure from the ceiling to the floor and add 8 to 10 inches to the height. When you measure the width of the window, multiply the measurement by three to have enough fullness.

When you measure for curtains, be sure to use a metal tape measure. Fabric tape measures can stretch and bend, so the measurement may not be as accurate.Four Bay Window Treatment Ideas that Work Bay windows are an architectural treat. They have a graceful feel and let in loads of natural light. Window treatments offer control for this abundance and draw attention to the elegant feature. Here are some different styles and approaches you can take to dressing your bay windows. The approach you take to dressing bay windows depends on whether you treat the windows as one large unit or several joined pieces. In this case, the windows are treated as one single unit, with curtains that hang outside the bay. The windows themselves surround a radiator, which is topped by a cushioned built-in bench. There is ample header space above the windows to hang a long, straight curtain rod for floor-to-ceiling panels. When the curtains are open, they act as a decorative picture frame for the window seat and the view beyond.

When closed, they turn the bench into a snug nook and become a fanciful backdrop for the dining table. If you choose to treat the windows as separate pieces, each window will have it's own individual treatment that is mounted inside the bay. Life Expectancy Of Home Ac UnitYet the window treatments work in harmony. Buy Weight Loss JarsHere, a single angled rod custom-made to fit inside the shape of the bay crowns the windows. Boxer Puppies For Sale In WarringtonIt supports patterned curtain panels that fall to the floor and aren't hindered by built-in seating. If there were a built-in bench, the curtains could be hemmed short enough to accommodate it. Each window has its own covering and privacy control. Another variation on this idea is less for privacy and more for softness and pattern: Instead of full curtains, there might be only two slender panels that flank the bay on either side.

Another way to treat bay windows as one coordinated unit is to choose individual treatments that conjoin. For example, these identical Roman shades are sized differently to fit each window, but they are mounted outside the windows' molding so they fit snugly next to each other. This creates the effect of melding the windows together visually. You can create the same effect with any style of shades, like woven rattan or cellular, as long as they are mounted outside the molding and meet at the edges. You can also create a similar look with one long valance that spans the tops of all the windows, or cafe curtains that stretch across the windows' midsections. If you like the look of each window dressed separately, there are other approaches that highlight the architecture. The key is to have the treatments mounted inside the window molding. Just the opposite of treating windows in unison, these treatments are designed not to touch at the edges, but instead to reside within the window frame.

In this kitchen area, for example, the windows are spaced a bit apart in the bay, so individual treatments make sense. Plantation shutters are installed inside the molding to cover the bottom of each window. A pleated valance covers the top portion of the window, staying within the boundary of the trim. By keeping the treatments identical, the bay still appears contiguous. More Window Treatment Ideas Window Treatment Styles: How to Choose the Right One Shop Window Treatments Now Window Treatment Ideas: 4 Solutions for a Sliding Door9 Must-Know Rules for Hanging Curtains and Shades Keep scrolling for our favorite tricks for hanging curtains and shades. Let the Light In Serena & Lily ($58) Pottery Barn ( $199 ) ($100) Embrace the Relaxed Roman Mount on the Inside Crate and Barrel ($80) Match Your Curtains to Your Walls Serena & Lily ($348) Use Curtains as Walls West Elm ( $89 ) ($60) Do Patterned Curtains Right