Should Curtains Touch The Floor: A Guide

Yes, in most Australian homes curtains should either lightly kiss the floor or hover by 10–15 mm for a clean, modern look, with deeper puddling reserved for formal spaces. Most designers prefer a kiss at 0–5 mm or a 10–15 mm float, while puddling is a deliberate luxury choice for low traffic formal spaces. Short curtains usually look accidental unless they are intentionally café length, and full length curtains are generally preferred in modern interiors.

This Trade Heroes guide explains curtain length options, how to measure and hang for a polished result, and when different styles make sense for real rooms and real life.

How Far Should Curtains Be Off The Floor

Aim for a float of 10–15 mm above the floor for a neat, modern, low maintenance finish. This clears minor bumps, avoids dust build up at the hem, and works well in homes with pets or kids. If you want maximum light blocking and a tailored line, choose a kiss at 0–5 mm contact. In bedrooms, longer curtains improve privacy and light control.

Hang Curtains High And Wide For A Polished Look

Mount rods or tracks 100–150 mm above the window frame and extend them 150–200 mm past each side to make windows feel taller and brighter. Hanging high and wide lets curtains stack clear of the glass, improves natural light when open, and enhances the overall look of your window treatments. Ceiling tracks create a full height effect that suits modern interiors and high ceilings.

Curtain Length Options: Float, Kiss, Break, And Puddle

There are four workable finishes and each serves a purpose.

• Float: 10–15 mm above the floor (about 3/8–5/8 in). Modern, clean, easy to vacuum.
• Kiss: 0–5 mm touch. Polished and tailored, hides small floor variances.
• Break: add 20–25 mm (3/4–1 in). A soft crease at the hem that looks relaxed, especially with lighter fabrics.
• Puddle: add 75–150 mm (3–6 in). Dramatic and elegant in formal spaces with heavy fabrics, but higher care.

Floating curtains are practical and contemporary. Break length curtains create a softer look than floats. Puddling implies luxury, yet it gathers dust, can trap odours near the floor, and is more labour intensive to keep clean.

Floor Length Curtains Vs Window Length Curtains

For most rooms, floor length curtains look more modern and polished than window length. Choose sill or apron length only when there is a clear obstruction such as a deep window sill, radiator or bench seat. Curtains that sit several centimetres above the floor read as a mistake and can make a room feel smaller. Curtains that do not touch the floor at all are generally considered awkward-looking.

Floating Curtains: Modern, Clean And Low Maintenance

A 10–15 mm hover gives the crisp “just off the floor” line many designers love. This finish is ideal in high foot traffic spaces where cleaning matters. It also reduces light gaps enough for most living areas while staying practical for daily use. Curtains that hang 1 to 2 cm off the floor offer a neat, modern, and low-maintenance look.

Break Length Curtains: Softer Drape With Extra Fabric

Add 20–25 mm to create a gentle ripple at the hem that feels relaxed and lived in. Break length suits lighter fabrics like linen and cotton that move with airflow. It also helps disguise slight floor slope without the upkeep of a deep puddle.

Puddle Length Curtains: Formal Style And Higher Care

Add 75–150 mm for a purposeful pool of fabric that signals luxury in dining rooms or main bedrooms. Velvet and silk are classic puddling fabrics. Be aware that puddles collect dust, can be a trip hazard in busy areas, and require more frequent maintenance and cleaning than curtains that float or break, so avoid them in kids’ rooms and hallways.

Should Sheer Curtains Touch The Floor

Yes, sheers look best kissing the floor or breaking by 10–20 mm to cloak the skirting and hide light gaps. Sheer fabric moves with air, so a tiny break adds visual weight and keeps the line tidy. In layered window treatments, run the sheer at kiss or a small break and the blockout layer at kiss behind it.

Curtain Rods, Tracks And Curtain Rings: Mounting Height Matters

Hardware choice changes the perceived length, so confirm drops before you hem. Rods mounted high visually raise the ceiling. Rings and carriers add or subtract several millimetres of drop, so measure from the underside of the rod or track to the finished floor. For sliding doors and bifolds, ensure panels clear tracks smoothly.

Curtain Styles And Curtain Fabric: Choose The Right Combination

Header style and fabric weight affect how curtains hang and which length looks best.

• Ripple Or S Fold With Sheers: kiss or 10–20 mm break for a refined line.
• Pinch Pleat With Lined Drapes: kiss for tailored formality in living and dining rooms.
• Eyelet With Casual Fabrics: float by 10–15 mm to keep hems crisp.
• Velvet Or Silk In Formal Spaces: puddle by 75–150 mm if the room is low traffic.

Heavier drapes seal better at the floor for warmth on cold nights. Sheers filter natural light and soften glare while still benefiting from a kiss or small break.

Ideal Curtain Length By Room: Living Rooms, Dining Rooms, Bedrooms

Match length to function, traffic and style instead of forcing one rule in every room.

• Living Rooms: kiss for a polished look, or float 10–15 mm for easy cleaning.
• Dining Rooms: kiss for crisp formality; a small break softens edges and improves acoustics.
• Bedrooms: kiss for privacy and light control; a small break works well with linen.
• Nurseries And Kids’ Rooms: float 10–15 mm to reduce tripping and dust.
• Home Offices: kiss or float depending on chair clearance.
• Sliding Doors And Bifolds: float or kiss for smooth operation and hygiene.

Curtains that touch the floor can make walls read taller and neater. Hovering slightly is easier to maintain in busy homes.

Measuring And Installing: Perfect Length For Your Window Treatments

Accurate measurements are essential for a professional result. Follow this simple method:

1. Choose Hardware And Header
2. Decide on a ceiling track or wall rod and confirm ring or carrier drop.
3. Measure In Three Spots
4. Measure from the underside of the hardware to the finished floor at left, centre and right. Floors are rarely perfect.
5. Set Your Finish

• Float: subtract 10–15 mm from the smallest measurement.
• Kiss: use the smallest to centre value and test with pins.
• Break: add 20–25 mm to the centre measurement.
• Puddle: add 75–150 mm to the largest measurement.

1. Account For Fabric Behaviour
2. Natural fibres like linen can relax after steaming and drop a few millimetres. Pin, hang for 24 hours, then stitch.
3. Check Clearances
4. Confirm clearance at window sills, radiators and floor vents. Ensure doors glide freely.
5. Finish And Steam
6. Hem, hang, steam and train folds so the length reads even across the floor.

For fullness, use 1.8–2.2 times track width for lined curtains and 2.2–2.5 times for sheers. The ideal width for curtains should be two to three times the width of the window.

Common Mistakes When Hanging Curtains

Avoid short hems, uneven drops and unplanned puddles. These errors make even premium fabric look wrong.

• Hems several centimetres above the floor look unfinished.
• One fixed measurement on a sloping floor creates a visible step.
• Puddling in high traffic areas becomes a dust and trip hazard.
• Forgetting ring or carrier drop throws off the final length.
• Too little fullness makes panels look flat and highlights length errors.
• Skipping the steam leaves creases that shorten the perceived drop.

Fabric, Light And Energy Efficiency Notes

Length choices affect comfort as well as style. Lined floor length curtains that kiss the floor help reduce draughts at the skirting and keep rooms warmer on cold nights. Sheers at a kiss or small break filter light and add privacy without sacrificing daylight. Where sun is intense, layer blinds behind curtains to protect fabric and extend life.

Safety And Practicality In High Foot Traffic Spaces

Select floats or kisses in busy rooms, homes with pets, and spaces used by children or older adults. Deep puddles look beautiful in formal rooms but demand more maintenance, collect dust and may be a tripping risk. If your house is home to young children or elders, you may wish to avoid extra long curtains that are easy to trip over. If you renovate or floors settle over time, a controlled float hides small level changes and keeps cleaning simple.

FAQs

What Are The Standard Curtain Lengths

Common finishes are sill, apron and floor length with float, kiss, break or puddle options. Sill stops just above the sill, apron sits 50–100 mm below, and floor length finishes at the floor with your chosen finish.

What Does Puddle Length Mean For Curtains

Puddle length adds 75–150 mm of extra fabric so the hem pools on the floor for a dramatic, elegant look. Best in formal spaces with heavier fabrics and low traffic.

What Is The Proper Height To Hang Curtains

Mount rods 100–150 mm above the frame or use a ceiling track for a full height effect. Extend 150–200 mm beyond each side so panels stack off the glass.

Are Floor Length Curtains Better Than Window Length

Yes for most rooms, floor length looks more polished and makes walls feel taller. Choose window length only when a sill, radiator or bench obstructs a full drop.

Do Short Curtains Look Outdated

Short curtains can look dated or accidental unless they are intentionally cafe length. If there is no obstruction, pick a kiss or a 10–15 mm float.

What Types Of Curtains Are Best For Small Rooms

Light fabrics and simple headers make small rooms feel larger. Choose sheers or lighter fabrics with ripple or S fold, mount high and wide, and finish with a kiss or float.

What’s The Difference Between Drapes And Curtains

Curtains is a general term, while drapes are heavier, lined and more formal. Drapes often use structured pleats and offer stronger light and heat control.

Should Curtains Be The Same Length In Every Room

No, adjust by room function, traffic and fabric. Kiss in living and bedrooms, float in busy rooms, break for relaxed linen, puddle only in formal spaces.

How Far Should Curtains Hang Above A Window

Place rods 100–150 mm above the frame for most installs. Higher mounting elongates the wall and reduces top light leak.

Are Long Curtains Suitable For Pets Or Kids

Yes, if you choose a kiss or 10–15 mm float. Avoid puddles in play areas to reduce tripping and dust.

Should Curtains Touch The Floor

Yes in most cases, choose a kiss at 0–5 mm or a 10–15 mm float. Reserve puddling for formal, low traffic rooms.

Should Sheer Curtains Touch The Floor

Yes, sheers look best at a kiss or a 10–20 mm break. The small break adds weight to the hem and reduces visible light gaps.

How Far Should Curtains Be Off The Floor

Float by 10–15 mm when you want a modern, practical finish. This reads intentional, clears bumps and keeps cleaning easy.

Conclusion

Use one simple rule to choose the perfect length. Float by 10–15 mm in high traffic rooms, kiss for most living and sleeping spaces, break by 20–25 mm for relaxed linen, and puddle by 75–150 mm only in formal settings. Measure carefully from hardware to floor, double check, and steam your curtains so the drop reads level. When you are ready to upgrade, compare local curtain specialists on Trade Heroes and find the right installer for your window treatments.