How to Choose Curtains — The Rules That Make Windows Look Bigger and Rooms Feel Taller

The One Rule That Changes Everything

Before anything else: hang your curtain pole as high as possible, as close to the ceiling as you can manage. Then hang curtains that reach the floor.

This single decision — high pole, floor-length curtains — is responsible for more visual improvement than any other curtain choice. It makes ceilings appear taller, windows appear larger, and rooms appear grander. And it costs nothing compared to the alternative.

The most common mistake — hanging the pole directly above the window frame and using curtains that stop just below the sill — makes rooms look low-ceilinged and windows look small. It is also the default in most high-street curtain sets, which is why so many homes look this way.

Curtain Length: The Only Three Options

Curtain Width: Most People Go Too Narrow

The second most common curtain mistake after hanging height is width. Most people measure the window and order curtains to fit — which means the curtains only just cover the glass and look like a tight, mean covering rather than a generous, flowing one.

Extending the pole beyond the window does two things: when the curtains are open, they stack off the glass entirely so the window gets maximum light. And visually, a wide pole makes the window look substantially wider than it actually is.

Choosing the Right Fabric

Curtain fabric affects how a room feels at least as much as colour. Heavy fabrics add warmth and formality; lightweight fabrics add airiness and informality.

Linen is the most universally useful curtain fabric. It works in every room, every style (from minimalist to bohemian), and looks better with age and washing rather than worse. If you are unsure, choose linen in a warm neutral.

Lined vs Unlined — Always Line Your Curtains

Lining is not optional for curtains that need to function properly. An unlined curtain lets in light, provides no insulation, and loses its shape faster. A lined curtain hangs better, lasts longer, and does its job properly.

Heading Styles and How They Affect the Look

The heading is how the curtain attaches to the pole or track and how it folds when drawn. It has a significant effect on the overall formality and fullness of the curtain.

Colour and Pattern: The Safe Choices and the Bold Ones

Curtains cover a large surface area. A bold pattern or strong colour is a significant visual commitment that you will live with for years. Here is how to approach the decision.

If you are unsure, match your curtains to the wall colour in a similar or slightly deeper tone. Curtains that blend into the walls frame the window without competing — making the room feel larger and the curtains look intentional even at modest expense.

Curtain Choices by Room

6 Curtain Mistakes to Avoid

Completing the Window Wall

Curtains frame a window — but the wall they hang on can do more work. The space between the two curtain panels (when open) is often a bare wall that benefits from a focal point. Art positioned above a sofa or console table in this zone, framed by the drawn-back curtains, creates one of the most composed views in a room.

If you are styling a window wall and want a piece of art that fills the space well, custom map prints from Mapiful work particularly well — available in sizes that suit large walls, and the minimal design language complements both linen curtains and bolder velvet options.

Curtains are part of how a room controls light — and light is one of the most important elements in how a room feels. See our guide to living room lighting for how curtains, artificial light, and room colour work together. And if you are working on a complete room refresh, the furniture arrangement guide covers how to position everything once the windows are sorted.

Related Articles