Have you been hanging your curtains all wrong?

Here’s how to hang curtains like a pro, plus how to fix a few frequent mishaps.

Curtains are an essential element of home decor.

midcentury modern living room teal walls oval coffee table gold curtain rod

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Buthanging curtains correctly the first timecan be intimidating.

How high should you set up the curtain rod?

What about the length of your panels?

living room shiplap tan leather sofa blue throw coffee table

Credit: David A. Land

And we’ve got easy DIY fixes in case you’ve already encountered these curtain conundrums.

But skinny curtains panels can look surprisingly skimpy.

Curtains that are proportional to the width of the window will look more voluminous in the space.

Beach-style living room

Credit:Carmel Brantley / Interior Designer: Caitlin Kah

Bonus, theyll cover the window fully when you do need to pull them closed.

How to fix it:Measure your window before purchasing ormaking your curtains.

Curtain panels should be at least two times the width of the window you’re attempting to shade.

Red chair in a corner of a green wall with floral curtains

Credit:Brie Williams

If you want extra fullness, make them 2.5 times the width.

They also visually alter your space, making ceilings look lower and the room smaller overall.

Curtains that drag on the floor can be a hazard andcollect dust more easily.

Aim for a middle groundcurtains that hover just above the floor.

Curtain lengths come in common lengths like 63, 84, and 96 inches.

It’s also important to choose a curtain rod that’s wider than your window.

For rooms with tall ceilings, you might choose to go higher with your curtain rod placement.

It’s a trick decorators use often.

Or thicker fabric that will keep the sun out of your eyes and the glare off your television?