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Is it an enormous faux pas to have curtains that are not to the floor?

41 replies

SwedishEdith · 06/04/2017 14:39

I realise I shouldn't be bothered but, clearly, I am. Grin

Off the shelf ones either end below window sill, halfway between sill and floor or are too long so would need taking up which I'm trying to avoid doing . It's in a bedroom no-one will see. There's nothing below the window to "justify" the lazy choice.

OP posts:
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Cakedoesntjudge · 06/04/2017 14:41

None of my curtains touch the floor - I much prefer the ones that finish just below the sill. I had no idea this was a thing Blush I am now wondering how many people have been silently judging me over the years.....

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Chasingsquirrels · 06/04/2017 14:41

I don't like floor length curtains on non-floor length windows.
I seem to be in a minority on MN though!

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Cakedoesntjudge · 06/04/2017 14:42

Just to clarify - when I say I had no idea it was a thing, obviously I was aware you could get floor length curtains but I had assumed they were just for full length windows.

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LookAtTheFlowersKerry · 06/04/2017 14:42

Have them long so they puddle.

You can be lazy AND 'bang on trend'.

Grin

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HecateAntaia · 06/04/2017 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SwedishEdith · 06/04/2017 15:09

Thanks all. Good variety of answers. To add to dilemma, the ones I have my eye on are sold out in the longest length.

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JT05 · 06/04/2017 15:50

Personal choice, but I've always had long ones. They make the window look larger and the ceiling higher, IMO.

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pinkskyatnight · 07/04/2017 12:22

I used to have floor length in my old house but my dog is a hairy shedding nightmare and o got fed up of hoovering them.

We have 3/4 lengths now, it was a bit strange at first but you get used to it.

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Lesley1980 · 07/04/2017 20:38

My mum had to take up some curtains & instead of taking the hem up she took the length from the top & sewed in another curtain tape which she said was less work.

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dudsville · 07/04/2017 20:45

It depends of the window. Box shaped windows that stop several feet above the ground = curtains to the window sill. Having said that I've put floor length ones in the bedroom for blocking out sunlight light and for effect - makes the room look cosy. And I had to hem them but that's what I expect from ready made curtains.

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TheUpsideDown · 07/04/2017 20:46

Swedish Im having the same dilemma. Upstairs I don't have floor length curtains, but much prefer them fir downstairs (even though I don't have floor length windows).

I have fallen in love with a pair of curtains that I desperately wamt for the living room. I don't want to order the longest length as they're very expensive already, and then I will have to pay a seamstress to alter them for me (as I can't sew for shit!).

They can be made to order but will cost around 400 bloody quid!!! Fuck that!

So I'm considering going against the grain and ordering them in a shorter length that will fall between the sill and the floor... but I'm sure I'll hate this length and will just end up returning them.

1st world problems eh?!

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SaorAlbaGuBrath · 07/04/2017 20:47

I don't have any floor length curtains, they're spider magnets. The big hairy fuckers climb them and laugh at me.

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SweetChickadee · 07/04/2017 20:50

I bought longer ones and they pooled, very nice.

then I washed them and now they are perfect floor skimmers

I can never wash them again Grin

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Chasingsquirrels · 07/04/2017 20:56

Ohhh mine are floor puddlers (on the patio doors) because I can't be bothered paying to get them shortened - maybe I'll wash them!

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NapQueen · 07/04/2017 20:58

Try IKEA. Our ceilings are around 10 foot off the floor and our IKEA ones puddle.

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NapQueen · 07/04/2017 20:58

Sorry should have added curtains hang from less than 1 foot off the ceiling too.

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SwedishEdith · 07/04/2017 21:02

Well, sheeplike, I've bought the longest length. Am hoping raising the curtain pole will help.

I doubt I'll ever wash them as would involved ironing them

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namechangedtoday15 · 07/04/2017 21:04

I think floor length are more contemporary, the general consensus is that sill length or just below are quite old fashioned. However, its all down to personal taste. I don't like sill length, can you maybe get a pair of shorter length and have them made into a roman blind (or find some reasonably priced fabric and have a blind made?)

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SummerKelly · 07/04/2017 21:05

I'd rather have longer ones but radiators are under the windows so it seems wrong to cover them, so I have unfashionable short ones.

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Emphasise · 07/04/2017 21:10

I had no idea floor length curtains, other than for floor length windows was a thing. All my life curtains have fitted the windows to an inch or two below the sill

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Smeaton · 07/04/2017 21:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Frouby · 07/04/2017 21:17

All my curtains come half way between the floor and the windowsill. I don't want them on the floor as they will be even more wrapped around ds and the dog. And think just to the sill makes the room look under dressed.

Fwiw my dressing gown is about half way between my knees and the floor. Cosy but not a trip hazzard. Gone for the same theory with the curtains. But this is a new build house and it suits it.

In the old house which was a 1906 terrace we had big bay windows and almost floor to ceiling curtains in every room to try and reduce the draughts.

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littlemissneela · 07/04/2017 21:22

I have two smallish windows (4ft wide) and currently have our long curtains from our previous house hung up over them. They pool a bit, but they tend to get stuck on the carpet when I am trying to close them. I am thinking of moving the curtain pole up to almost ceiling height and have the curtians more as dress curtains, one on each window and gathered back to create the illusion of a bigger window, and then have blackout blinds on the windows and then in between some long muslin curtains for general privacy as we face the main road and feel anyone can look in.

But in answer to your question, I much prefer long curtains, rather than sill length ones.

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Bluntness100 · 07/04/2017 21:27

I'd agree, floor length is the more current option, short curtains to me and anyone I know don't look good and they are deemed quite old fashioned.

I hate to say it but I look at short curtains and think "oh that's a shame they couldn't afford longer ones" . My brain doesn't seem to accept that someone might actually like them.. A bit like doilies and crinoline lady loo roll holders, you search for an acceptable answer as to why it is..😂😂😂

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DaisyQueen · 07/04/2017 21:30

I only have curtains in the living room and they end just below the sill. Previous ones were floor length and the dc would twist themselves up in them and try to swing on them like tarzan Grin

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