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Windows Home Decorating Polls

How high above sliding door should the curtain rod be?

4 months ago

We are looking to install these sheer curtains in our dining room here. It barely gets light in this room but we want window treatments for aesthetics and a little bit of privacy.

We got 84” curtains and with this length, it looks like the rod needs to be placed 3” above the sliding door to just “kiss” the floor. Does this look ok?

I have also added photos for placement of the rod 5” and 7” above the window. If we place the rod higher, we will need to get the 96” curtains and have them tailored.

5”

7”

3”

Featured Answer

arcy_gw

4 months ago

Why would you go to all the extra fuss, get a curtain that fits and hang the rod where it works. The door is large and in charge, the silliness of pretending it is taller makes no sense in this application. 3 or 5 it really doesn't look that different. 7 is getting a bit silly--looks like the drapes were too long and were too lazy to hem them!!

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Comments (6)

jck910
4 months ago
You will need enough panels to equal 2 1/2 times the width of the slider and yes to the 96" length. There is iron on hem tape for curtains although you will have to cut them so you can make the new hem the same as is what is on them when purchased.

Heat-n-Bond Hem iron on adhesive. You can get it at Michaels
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What's the clearance around the door? Typically your curtain width should be twice the size of the width you need to cover. If the panels are too narrow then the curtains can look skimpy and unfinished. If you have clearance and hang your rod wide then the curtains can be pushed away from the opening.
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shadylady2u
4 months ago
I agree with arcy. Window treatments look best close to the top of doors, and especially if you're using sheers. Seeing the top of the door and the wall space, does not look attractive. Not sure if you were just planning on hanging one panel on each side, but you definitely would need more. Sheers should be at least 3x the width. I think you may have uploaded the wrong pic for the 3", since it looks the same as the 5".
Ellen
Original Author
4 months ago
Thanks. Getting a curtain that “fits” is subjective! Most people here seemed to vote for 7” and with that, we’d have to exchange our curtains and get new ones tailored. We did get 4 panels, just held up one for placement reference. The photos of the 3” and 5” are different, if you notice the 3” kisses the floor and the 5” is floating above the floor.

Wanted to get opinions before we install it as it’ll be on there forever. I’ve seen countless postings stating that “modern” curtains should be a few inches from the ceiling or about 7” from the window on average so wasn’t sure if 3” looks funny.
shadylady2u
4 months ago
It's all about preference. There is no rule or must do. People are just telling you what they like. I like it right above a door, but you go with what appeals to you the most since you're the one that'll be looking at it everyday.

Maybe it's me, but I don't see the 3" pic kissing the floor. Still looks the same as the 5" pic to me. : )
chloe00s
4 months ago
Curtains should just kiss the floor, so 3” is the only one that works! These are sheer light curtains on light walls, so hanging them higher and getting new longer curtains isn’t going to make a visual difference - e.g., if you were trying to make low ceilings seem higher by raising the rod to take your eye up. Stick with the ones you already have and hang them at the 3” mark!

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