When Should Draperies Touch the Floor?

Draperies can add flair, color, and drama to any room in your home. They’re an elegant window treatment that can block light and give you extra privacy. 

If you have your eye on some quality draperies, you might have some design questions about how you should hang them to look their best. It’s time to pull back the curtain on when the draperies should go all the way down to the floor.

The Right Approach to Window Treatments in New Smyrna Beach

When should your draperies touch the floor? If you’re going solely for looks, the answer is always. But since draperies aren’t all about looks, you’ll want to ask yourself some crucial questions before you go with drapes that give a puddle effect. 

Think about whether you how often you plan on opening and closing your draperies, as well as whether there are any large pieces of furniture or a wall vent that would make using your draperies more difficult.

About Drapery Lengths

Yes, you’ll want your draperies to hit the floor in most situations — because it makes them look infinitely more stylish. This is why most fashionable draperies are made so long in the first place; the window treatment professionals know what looks best.

But while it’s a traditional, classic approach, various drapery lengths exist to help satiate the style palates of just about everybody. And depending on the height of your windows, it could be challenging to find draperies that reach down to your floor. 

If you fall into this category, you might want to look through these drapery options and decide which is best for you.

Floor Length

It’s time to clear up any confusion over this draperies name: Yes, floor-length draperies will reach the floor, but they usually won’t touch the floor. This drapery style looks smooth and can help your windows appear taller, giving the effect of a more spacious room. 

Floor-length draperies are also convenient for high-traffic areas like the living room. These draperies are gorgeous and popular, despite never reaching the ground.

Sill

The rebel of the bunch, sill draperies are on the opposite end of the spectrum. They’re the shortest type of drapery and typically fall slightly above the window sill. 

You can incorporate these draperies if you want to add charm or character to a room. And sill draperies play particularly nicely with color and pattern. They also function well in the smaller windows you’ll find in your bathroom or kitchen.

Breaking

Breaking draperies have a more tailored appearance than the other two, but they still fall slightly above the ground. They’re especially nice when made from cotton or linen and are perfect for rooms meant to invite relaxation — or for rooms that could use a little more relaxation, like offices. 

The tailoring (or “break”) in the drapery provides some nice contrast that suits a more laid-back room or home.

Apron

Apron-length draperies aren’t standard, but they could be just what you’re after. The apron drapery falls slightly below the window sill. They immediately evoke a farmhouse-style aesthetic and can be very effective in kitchen windows or bedrooms. 

This is a solid option if you’re looking to avoid draperies that swish dust and dander across the floor or if your window is in a spot where it would be tough to draw full-length draperies.

Window treatments in New Smyrna Beach are meant to be fashionable and practical. So while a drapery length that touches the floor will always look beautiful, it’s not always the perfect fit. It’s always best to discuss options with a window treatment specialist to get the treatment that fits your home’s unique needs and design aesthetic.