Short curtains or long curtains?

[VelvetSwimmingCrab]

When you have a normal sized window (in the middle of the wall with the windowsill about a third of the way up the wall) are you supposed to have the curtains come to just below the windowsill or to floor length? I have no idea which is the done thing or which looks better. Thank you!

I have a radiator under my window, so have short ones.

If there is a radiator under the window you'd be better going for just below the sill, if not I'd choose long but that's just my preference.
Is there furniture by the window? That may also influence your choice.

No radiator under the window. No furniture either really, there's a small side table half underneath which could easily be moved. @BBaronessBomburst this is my feeling too I have had short curtains on there for a while but I can't shake the thought that this isn't right. A lot of houses that are featured online or in magazines seem to have full length windows instead which is why I thought I'd ask mumsnet to see what other people do.

I have short in my bay, but that's because there is a radiator there.

Full length.

Full, unless you plan to use the space underneath for some furniture. Or use Roman blinds?

We've just switched from just under the window sill in our bay to full length. I love it so much. It's really given the room a more grown up, cosy feel. If you do go full length, tie backs become a bit more necessary to keep them bunched when opened.

With no radiator I think I'd go long

Maybe depends on whether curtains blend with wall or contrast - I’d probably have long for a contrast feature.

Full length curtains are the best choice however Roman blinds if there is a radiator under the window. Sill length curtains look very dated.

Full length. Every. Single. Time. Move the radiator if you have to. The exception being a bedroom bay with a window seat, cupboards underneath. Even then I'd remove the window seat.

Full length curtains usually look best.

@vodkaredbullgirl any possibility you could post a photo?

I have a big window that takes up most of the wall with not much either side or above, with a radiator underneath, so it needs to have shirt curtains or blinds. I'd rather have curtains, but need convincing they'll be ok in the lounge SS short curtains are bedroom curtains in my mind! I just can't get past that, but want to!

<sigh>. I'm now back to square one! I can't get that thought out if my mind. Short Curtains = Dated Bedroom Curtains

I was hoping @vodkaredbullgirl could show me otherwise!!

I want to have lovely winter curtains I can 'draw'. But the radiator is underneath the window & it may not go on this year, but if it does I don't want to be heating the outside world & I don't want to be trying to get the windows to stay on the window sill. Roman blinds aren't as cosy & not so easy to change winter/summer & they block out too much light, arghhhhhhh

@VelvetSwimmingCrab sorry!

Full length as no radiator. They keep the warm in and if you hang them from just below the ceiling rather than the top of the window it wake your room look bigger

@VelvetSwimmingCrab I've never changed my curtains with the seasons - I just draw them later in the Summer!

Full length. It’s keeps the room warm and looks better. We have a big wide window with the sill about 3 feet off the floor and is nearly the width of the room and it looks great with the floor length curtains

Short here - I find full length fussy.

I have a radiator so have shorter ones but not sill length, I can put them behind the radiator when pulled. It's a big window and it's too cold not to pull them in the winter.
In the warmer months I change them to full length because I don't need to pull them.

Wait people have summer and winter curtains? Is this a thing?

lol yes my gran did and I have for the 1st time.

@JustOrderADoor

'I want to have lovely winter curtains I can 'draw'. But the radiator is underneath the window & it may not go on this year, but if it does I don't want to be heating the outside world & I don't want to be trying to get the windows to stay on the window sill. Roman blinds aren't as cosy & not so easy to change winter/summer & they block out too much light, arghhhhhhh'

Firstly, you can interline Roman blinds so they are really thick and snuggly.

Secondly, they needn't block out light. Position them so that when they are pulled up, they sit above the window, with only a couple of inches covering the top of the frame so it doesn't look odd.

To the op, Either full length or Roman blind. Or both.

@NigellaAwesome totally agree!

A blind (eg a thermal lined Roman blind in the window recess) and then long curtains either side to frame the window