How Long Should Curtains Be for a 9 Foot Ceiling?

According to home builders, the most common ceiling height in modern homes is 9 feet, which is also considered by many as the standard ceiling height. Design and theme are essential parts to consider in a curtain but finding the right length of curtains for 9-foot ceilings is also something to think about.

So, how long should curtains be for a 9 foot ceiling? The most common use will be 8-feet curtains. Indeed, There is no hard rule; it may also be what look you may be aiming for.

So, read on to know about curtain selection to go well with your 9-foot ceiling living room and more.

Curtain Length for 9 Foot Ceilings

For curtains to be a good fit in your room, they should never be too short that they leave too much space near the ground, making the room less elegant and sophisticated.

Furthermore, it’s rare the length of curtains for 9-foot ceilings will exceed 9 feet, as it can be a hassle for maintenance. And, frankly, it might not look very nice, especially with curtains in dark colors.

Below are some curtain length suggestions for the different ceiling heights you can use as a reference:

The 1-foot shorter curtain rule is the most recommendable gap because it is the most common and used method since this set-up is simple and elegant.

These curtain lengths are also the standard lengths for most ceiling heights.

But if you are achieving a particular style and type of look for your room, you can customize your desired curtain length, and there are many other ways to do it.

Curtain Length by Curtain Types and Styles

In selecting the best curtains for your ceiling, there are some things you need to consider first, like your style preferences, window size, and wall design/color. Here are some options you might want to look at.

1. Floor to Ceiling Curtain

Since many modern homes are into big expansive windows, choosing a floor-to-ceiling curtain length is perfect. It is used primarily as a window treatment in the bedroom with big windows or doors.

The ceiling up-to-floor curtain length makes it look modern, providing privacy and reasonable lighting control. This is suitable for bedrooms.

These curtains should cover the whole wall length, only 0.5 to 1 inch shorter. It means if you have a 9-foot ceiling, you might want a 106-107 inches curtain.

2. Panel Curtain Hung Above Windows

You can use this as a window treatment if you have extra long curtains but low windows. It makes the room and ceiling taller than it usually looks, which adds to the room’s overall look.

You should measure the length from the window frame (about 4 – 5 inches above the molded top frame) to the floor to get the right length curtain.

3. Puddled Curtains/Drapes

For those who want a sophisticated style, you can achieve this using puddled curtains/drapes. This style creates a dramatic look in the room and requires an additional one size up or around 1 inch to 1.5ft in length.

For example, you are using a 108-inch curtain for a 9-foot ceiling. It can create the puddled effect that you are achieving.

But be mindful that puddle curtains/drapes should be stationary or in an area with low foot traffic. The reason is to avoid stepping on the curtain/drape, which may result in an easily dirty curtain.

4. Layered Curtains

If you want both lighting and black-out curtains, you might as well use both and make them layered curtains. You may combine draperies (for black-out) and shorter sheer curtains (for lighting).

These two are the standard curtains when you are going for layered curtains style. This may result in a more unique and creative look since there are two different kinds of curtains.

5. Cafe Curtains

Even though it is considered one of the short curtains, you can still use it in your standard-size windows if you want more lighting and view access from outside. Cafe curtains are recommended in the kitchen or dining area.

Its length should fit the measurement of the middle of your window frame to its end. So, If your window measures 3 ft, you should opt for a 1.5 – 1.5 ft cafe curtain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should curtains go from ceiling to floor?

The answer is yes. It is advisable to use this method as a window treatment since curtains from floor-to-ceiling windows elevate the room, making it taller and grander.

How do you hang curtains on a 9-foot ceiling?

There are many ways to hang curtains on a 9-foot ceiling. Still, typically, if you have a wide window, 6 inches from the top is how high to hang curtains 9-foot ceiling.

Should you have long curtains on short windows?

If you want your windows to appear taller, you should go with long draperies or floor-length curtains. But if you want it to be simple and casual, you can go with cafe curtains, window shades, and blinds.

For more about the topic, check out this article here.

What type of curtains for a 9-foot wide window can you use?

There are many suitable types of window treatments for wide and long windows like:

What are 8-foot, 10-foot, and 9-foot ceilings in inches?

If you are having trouble with feet measurement, here is the conversion in inches: an 8-foot ceiling size is 96 inches; a 9-foot ceiling size is 108 inches; a 10-foot ceiling is 120 inches.

Can you hang shower curtains from the ceiling?

The simple answer is yes. You just need to know your ceiling height, prepare the necessary tools and choose the perfect shower curtain based on your preference and bathroom design. You can check the link if you want to know how to install ceiling-mounted shower curtains.

How to measure the size of curtains?

There are three ways to know what size of curtains you need for your window. Either measure the window frame, the rod length, or the basic/standard curtain size. Keep in mind the height and width because it is the most important.

Conclusion

Since there are no official rules on how long curtains should be for a 9-foot ceiling, you can do whatever you want depending on the type of style and look you are going for. But with a little help from the internet and a bit of creativity, you may find the perfect curtain in proportion to your ceiling.

You may use this information in many instances like occasions, formal gatherings, parties, and so on, so forth. And I hope these quick tips help you figure out how long should curtains be for a 9 foot ceiling or other ceiling height of your home.