Puddle, Kiss, or Float: How Long Should Your Curtains Be?
Curtain length, floor clearance and hem styles
Curtain length has a surprisingly big effect on how finished a room looks. Curtains that are too short can make a window feel disconnected from the rest of the room, while the right length creates a clean visual line from the rod to the floor.
Three common approaches are Float, Kiss and Puddle. The best choice depends on your style, fabric, floor and how practical you need the curtains to be.
The 3 Curtain Length Styles
1. Float — Just Above the Floor
The curtain ends slightly above the floor, typically around 1–2 cm (⅜–¾ in) above it.
This creates a clean, practical look and is a good choice for:
- High-traffic rooms
- Homes with pets
- Children's rooms
- Curtains that need to be easy to clean
A small gap also makes the curtains less likely to collect dust or drag across the floor.
2. Kiss — Just Touching the Floor
A "kiss" finish means the curtain just touches the floor without pooling or visibly bending.
It creates a tailored, polished appearance but requires accurate measuring because even a small difference in floor-to-rod height can change the result.
This style works particularly well with structured fabrics and minimalist interiors.
3. Puddle — Extra Fabric on the Floor
Puddled curtains are deliberately made longer than the distance from the rod to the floor, allowing extra fabric to gather on the floor.
Around 5–10 cm (2–4 in) of additional length can create a subtle puddle, while more dramatic puddling requires additional fabric.
This look is best suited to rooms where the curtains won't be frequently walked past or moved.
What Curtain Length Should You Buy?
Ready-made curtains are available in a range of standard lengths, but the exact options vary between manufacturers and countries.
Common lengths include:
- 160 cm (63 in): Often used for shorter windows or where full-length curtains aren't practical
- 210–225 cm (83–89 in): Suitable for some lower-mounted rods and shorter rooms
- 240–245 cm (94–96 in): Common for full-length curtains in many rooms
- 275–300 cm (108–118 in): Useful for higher ceilings or higher curtain rods
Don't choose a curtain length based solely on your ceiling height. Measure from the actual point where your curtain will hang to the floor.
Don't Forget Radiators and Vents
If a radiator, heating unit or air vent sits beneath the window, check how your curtains will interact with it.
Long curtains can cover radiators or restrict airflow, while curtains hanging directly over a heat source may not be appropriate for every installation.
In these situations, check the requirements of your heating system and consider whether a shorter treatment would work better.
Common Curtain-Length Mistakes
Curtains that are obviously too short: A large gap between the curtain hem and floor can make full-length curtains look unfinished.
Measuring from the window instead of the rod: Your curtain drop should be based on where the curtain will actually hang—not simply the height of the window.
Forgetting fabric behaviour: Linen, cotton and other natural fabrics can change slightly after washing or cleaning. Follow the manufacturer's care instructions before making permanent alterations.
Pro tip
If you're ordering custom curtains, measure the actual distance from the curtain hardware to the floor at several points. Floors and ceilings aren't always perfectly level, so the measurement can vary slightly across a wide window.
Check Your Curtain Length Before You Buy
Not sure whether your curtains will float, kiss or puddle?
Use the Nooked Curtain Calculator to calculate your curtain dimensions, then use the Nooked room builder to plan your window and surrounding furniture to scale.
Calculate Your Curtain Size →
Plan Your Window in Nooked →
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