Hanging blackout curtains can be a great way of making your room dark for a better sleeping or resting environment during the day. It can be especially useful for shift workers or people who need to sleep during the daytime.
As you’re thinking about hanging blackout curtains in your room, you might be wondering about the right length of the curtains.
Blackout curtains length
Ideally, blackout curtains should be at least the same length as the window frame or 4 to 6 inches longer than that. Adding 4 to 6 inches more to the length will help block more lights. It is considered even better to hang blackout curtains that touch the floor for the best result.
Blackout curtains are used for restricting lights from entering a room so you can create night-like darkness in the room and sleep peacefully during the day. The purpose of these curtains is not to let lights enter the room.
Considering this, the length of the blackout curtains should be long enough to cover the whole window.
Therefore, the most important factor regarding the length of the blackout curtains is the length of the window frame. However, letting the curtains flow a few more inches below the frame or even touch the floor can ensure an even better job.
This may not be ideal for all types of rooms and windows.
The ideal length is considered the same length as the window frame or 4 to 6 inches longer than that. The same length as the frame is the minimum requirement as the curtains must cover the window.
While measuring the length, you shouldn’t forget to take the curtain rod into account.
If your window doesn’t already have a curtain rod, you can install the rod at least 4 inches above the top edge of the window frame.
If you want to give the room a taller appearance, you can put the rod slightly higher than that but it’s better to not exceed 8 inches, or else the top of the curtains will be too high.
Also, adding 4 to 6 inches extra to the length of the window frame can guarantee better restriction of light and it can give the room a taller vibe as well. In some rooms, it can look better to let the curtains flow to the floor.
Floor touch blackout curtains can ensure that no lights peek through from below the window. Also, it can be a great stylistic choice.
Should blackout curtains touch the floor?
Blackout curtains should touch the floor especially when you consider the functionality of the curtains. They are used for blocking lights so you can enjoy a peaceful sleep.
The right way of doing it is by hanging the curtains in a way that they cover the whole window and touch the floor slightly.
This will stop any light from coming out of the gaps under the window. When you say floor touch, it doesn’t have to literally touch the floor. You can hang them to be at least 0.5 inches above the floor to stop them from picking up dirt and dust.
If you’re not concerned about that, you can let the curtains fall to the floor or even make a small puddle.
How much longer should blackout curtains be than windows?
Blackout curtains should be at least the same length as the window frame to block the light coming from the window. However, it may be better to let the curtains extend past the bottom edge of the window frame for better blockage.
You can go for an additional 4 to 6 inches longer than the original length of the window.
This also depends on the size of the room and the type of your window. If you have an exceptionally wide window, letting the curtains flow way below the frame may not look good. Also, if the room is small or has many windows, this might not create the best outlook.
You need to consider these aspects while deciding on the length of the blackout curtains.
4 factors that affect blackout curtain length
The following factors can affect a blackout curtain length –
Length of the window frame:
Your blackout curtains must cover all the way starting from the rod to the bottom of the window frame. This will ensure that no lights pass through. While deciding on a length, you should carefully measure the length of the window frame from top to bottom.
Type of the room and window:
The length of blackout curtains should complement the room and window as well. While these curtains should be longer and almost touching the floor to block lights better, a small room with multiple windows may not look good this way.
Also, if the window of a room is too wide compared to its length, floor touch curtains may not completely go with it. You may have to end up using curtains of length that cover the bottom edge of the window frame.
In that case, to block more lights, you can use Velcro straps or get curtains with magnetic strips.
Position of the rod:
The position of the rod can have a significant effect on the length of blackout curtains. A general rule of hanging blackout curtains is that they should fully cover the area of your window frame so no light can enter the room.
However, while measuring the length, you need to start measuring from the curtain rod. If you are installing new rods and you want to make your window area appear longer, you can install the rod slightly higher than the frame but not more than 8 inches.
Your personal preference:
Whether or not to hang the blackout curtains that touch the floor depends on the homeowner’s preference. Generally, a blackout curtain should touch the floor so that no lights can enter from the bottom of the window.
These days, there are many varieties of blackout curtains available to ensure the best result. Some of them come with magnetic strips that let you seal the sides perfectly. You can also use double-sided Velcro straps to seal the sides and the bottom of the curtains.
How to measure for blackout curtains?
Measuring blackout curtains is all about measuring the length, width, and depth of the window frame.
Measure the length of the window frame:
First, you need to get a measuring tape to start measuring the length of the window frame. You need to take measurements from the top corner to the bottom edge of the frame. You can do this for the other side as well as the middle part.
This will help if your window is not a perfect square. In that case, you need to consider the longest measurement. In case you already have the window rod installed, you can start from the rod to the edge of the window frame.
If you are going to install the rod later, add 4 inches to the length of the frame as most rods are installed at that height. You can go slightly higher but it shouldn’t exceed 8 inches.
You can add 4 to 6 inches more to the overall length to let the blackout curtains fall below the frame and restrict light better.
Measure the width of the window frame:
Now you need to use a tape measure to measure the width of the window frame. Start from one side to the other and measure for the top, bottom, and middle parts. If they are not the same, you need to consider the widest one among them.
If you are installing a new rod, go for the one that is 2 to 6 inches longer than the measured width. Also, you can multiply the measured width by 2.5 to get the right width for your curtains. The additional width will give depth to the curtains as they fold over each other.
Measure the depth of the window frame:
You need to measure the depth of the window frame if you’re planning to buy a new rod. You need to consider the furthermost point of the window frame. You can measure the depth from the wall to that point with the help of a ruler or a tape measure.
This will help you get the rod that can extend enough to hang the blackout curtains.
Final Thoughts
Blackout curtains can be at least the same length as the window frame or 4 to 6 inches longer than that. The additional length of 4 to 6 inches can ensure better blockage of light. It is better to let the blackout curtains touch the floor so they won’t let any light pass through.