Ask anyone about the effect hanging curtains has on a room and they’re bound to tell you it’s transformative. Ask my husband about the effect hanging curtains has on him, and he’s bound to tell you it’s the bane of his existence. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about how to hang curtains, especially how to fix the mishaps. So let’s learn from our mistakes. Here are some tips for troubleshooting some of the most common issues.

This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

Before You Hang Curtains

Before you get out the drill and hanging hardware, make sure you’ve checked out these guidelines. Some of the most common issues arise from hanging curtains too high or too low. Here’s how to avoid these issues.

How to Hang Curtains at the Right Height

You have a few options for your curtain length and the right answer depends on your lifestyle and the style of your home. Your curtains can either puddle, kiss the floor, or hang just an inch above the ground. Anything higher than that and you risk venturing into high-water territory. (If that’s already happened, don’t worry. I’ve got you. Read on to the end for some tips.)

The Puddle is when your curtains pool 1/2 inch or more on the floor. The more pool, the more drama. Up to 1 inch of pool tends to look relaxed, whereas 4 inches or more channels the train of an elegant gown and looks best in more formal settings.

The Kiss is when your curtains just graze the floor. As my husband will tell you, the bonus with shooting for the kiss, is that if your measurements are off by up to an inch, you can just say you were going for the next style below.

Up to 1 Inch Above If you’ve got pets, kids, or just worry about what a puddled curtain could conceal, this is the most practical style. You have just enough clearance to run a mop or vacuum underneath, and from personal experience, it’s less inviting for kids to hide behind. Just sayin’. 😉

Did You Hang Your Curtains Too High?

Have no fear! You have a couple options (and no, they don’t involve taking down the hardware and re-hanging).

If you hung your drapes on the pole pocket or using a tab, put them on rings instead. This will help them hang lower. Grab some rings that have a clip, pinch the curtain fabric in the back like you’re creating a pleat, then attach the clip onto the pinched fabric. If your drapes have tabs on the back, you can use them as a guide to achieve even spacing (and figure out precisely how many rings you need).

Best of all, you really don’t have to spend a fortune to get curtain rings that will give your drapes a custom look. The Amazon Basics line has some great deals.

I’ve Got One More Trick Up My Sleeve

If your drapes are still too high, even with rings, there’s one more thing you can try to buy some additional length, without the trouble of rehanging.

Switch to curtain rings in a larger diameter with an eyelet attached, such as these, from Amazon.

Then, snag some curtain clips you can attach to the eyelets, such as these.

They come in a number of sizes and with hanging hooks of varying lengths, so poke around on Amazon until you find ones that will give you the leeway you need.

Finally, if your drapes are linen, there’s a good chance they’ll stretch downward overtime. So keep in mind that the gap may gradually lessen… if you have the patience to wait. 🙂