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Short or Long Curtains for Bedroom? Apron Size, Window Length, and Curtain Ideas

Short or long curtains for bedroom? Find out the ideal curtain length for your bedroom with different styles and designs.

The decision of whether to go short or long with your bedroom curtains is a common one for homeowners. While short curtains certainly offer a more minimalist and modern look and are easier to install, long curtains provide more privacy for your bedroom and more coverage for your windows.

Long curtains can be an excellent option for covering large windows and sliding glass doors, but they may not be the best option for bedrooms or other rooms with a lot of foot traffic. They add an element of design and privacy that short curtains don’t offer, but they are more expensive to purchase and more challenging to install.

Curtains for Bedroom

What are the different types of curtains?

Sheer curtains are also known as voile or lace curtains. They are almost transparent and very lightweight curtains. Sheer curtains are great for rooms that don’t get too much sun and can be made from various materials, like polyester, silk, or cotton.

Blackout curtains are a more solid and opaque type of curtain. They can help to block out light and provide privacy. Blackout curtains are often used in bedrooms, living rooms, or other rooms that get a lot of suns.

different types of curtains

A curtain that hangs below the window frame is called an apron curtain. It can help to block dust and debris from collecting on the bottom of the window frame.

Café curtains are intended to sit only a few inches below the window frame. They are room-darkening curtains that you can make from a variety of materials.

different sizes of curtains

Lace curtains are another type of sheer curtain made from a wide range of materials. Just like other sheer curtains, they are almost transparent and let in a lot of light.

What are the different sizes of curtains?

Curtain panels can be any length you choose, but standard curtain lengths range from around 70–84 inches for a single panel that hangs from a curtain pole.

Curtains that are even shorter than this are sometimes called draperies, and curtains that are longer than 84 inches are called Juliet (or Continental) curtains.

different sizes of bedroom curtains

It’s also common to purchase two panels hanging from a curtain rod, so they can easily open and close. In this case, the two panels can be almost any length, but they are often around 40–60 inches long.

As you can see, you have a lot of options when it comes to choosing the correct length of curtains. You can even get extra-long curtains that reach the floor.

What is the difference between short and long curtains?

Short curtains usually fall below the window trim. They can range in length from about 10 inches (sometimes referred to as demi-curtains) to about 72 inches.

short and long curtains

Long curtains can be any length above the 10-inch mark but can be incredibly long if draped down to the floor. A standard measurement for long curtains is about 42 inches, although there is no wrong length. Curtains can be any length you want.

So, what is the difference between short and long curtains?

Short curtains let in more natural light than long curtains. Shorter curtains provide a more open, airy look than long curtains. Long curtains look more formal and elegant, while short curtains can be casual and playful.

long curtains

Shorter curtains are also easier to move than long curtains. You only need to lift or move a few inches of fabric to get the room well-ventilated. Long curtains require more time and effort, and you may have to move them more than once to get the correct ventilation.

Some things can do better than shorter curtains. Long curtains can cover the window apron. Molding molding molding is molding around the window frame. This can detract from the decor.

Long curtains can also create a more luxurious, elegant look. And if you are looking for a more traditional curtain look, longer curtains are the way to go.

What are the benefits of short or long curtains?

There are two main curtain lengths for bedrooms: short and long. With short curtains, the apron, or the bottom edge, rests on the window sill. With long curtains, the apron falls below the window sill.

benefits of short or long curtains

The main benefit of short curtains is that they add style to a room without requiring much work. Curtains that reach only the bottom of the window are easy to install. You can hang them on a curtain rod without needing to be hemmed or pinned up on a track without adding weight or bulk.

One of the main benefits of long curtains is that they give you options. We can adjust the bottom edge of the long curtains up or down. You can also add fabric panels to the bottom of the long curtains if you want to add style or create roman shades. The main downside of long curtains is that they can be a bit more work to install. They do add weight and bulk to curtain tracks, and the apron can also add weight to the way. Long curtains made of thick fabric can also be more challenging to manipulate than short curtains.

Curtains in kids bedroom

What are the different apron sizes?

Window treatments can come in a range of aprons sizes. The apron is the curtain section hanging below the window frame. Curtains made to measure can come in a range of pre-determined apron sizes.

The most common apron size is 18 inches long. This is also the standard apron size of most made-to-measure curtains. The 18-inch apron is a perfect standard length because it is not so long that it will get in the way, but it is long enough to provide some insulation against the elements.

Apron Styles

Some curtains have much shorter aprons, around 6 inches. These short aprons are often found on roman blinds but can also be found on made-to-measure curtains. They are great for showers and other bathrooms, as they will not get too wet and will not take up much room when they are not in use.

Longer apron lengths are standard on wide curtains meant to cover expansive windows. For example, French doors and bay window curtains can sometimes have long aprons extending almost to the floor. You can make these long apron curtains to measure or buy off the rack. What are the different window lengths?

custom curtains

If you are ordering custom curtains, you can order them for any length you need. If you install a pair of curtains on a window with standard moldings, you can measure the length from the window molding to the floor to find the window length. If you are installing curtains in a living space with a window seat, you will want to include the length of the window seat when you measure the overall window length.

If you are installing a pair of curtains on a window with standard moldings, the length from the window molding to the floor is often the best for curtains. If you are installing curtains in a living space with a window seat, you will want to include the length of the window seat when you measure the overall window length. You can measure the curtain length and then add a few inches to account for the weight of the curtains (which will be less than the weight of drapes) and to account for the curtains not being 100% straight.

What are the curtain ideas?

Vertical stripes are one of the most common curtain ideas. They have the illusion of making the room or window seem taller. This is because they create the same visual effect as a room with vertical blinds.

curtain ideas

If you opt for a solid color, you can vary the width of the stripes. A wider stripe creates the illusion of a lower ceiling, and a thinner line gives the impression of a higher ceiling.

A stylish option is to use a decorative curtain rod the same width as the curtain panels. This can be a visually exciting feature that has no gaps.

There are many factors to consider when choosing curtains for your bedroom, including the size of your window, length of your curtains, and style of your curtain rods. The most important thing to remember is the amount of light you want to let in. Short or sheer curtains are the best options if you want to let in a lot of light. Long curtains are the way to block out light.

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