Inspired by Experts · Jami Campbell ·Mar 10, 2025

The Art of Hanging Drapes: Tips for Creating a Stunning, Grand Look

By Jami Campbell

Drapes can be powerful when it comes to interior design. They help make a space feel polished and are often the finishing touch. When done incorrectly though, they can become an eyesore and stick out like a sore thumb. Here are my top 5 tips when it comes to properly installing drapery that when followed will enhance your space and give you the designer look you are going for.

1. Hang High and Wide

One of the most essential tips for incorporating drapery is to hang it correctly. I always recommend my clients hang their drapes high and wide. Ideally, you want to hang your curtain rod 2-3” below your ceiling or crown molding. You then want your curtain rod to extend 10-12” outside of the side window frame. Positioning your drapes in this way draws the eye upward making your room feel more grand and spacious.

2. Frame the Window, Don’t Cover It

Whenever feasible, your drapes should never cover any part of the window. You want your drapes to lay just on the outside of your window and not cover any of the window itself. This allows for maximum natural light and makes your windows feel bigger than they actually are.

3. The Right Length Matters

Drapes should ideally kiss the floor. From a designer’s perspective, there isn’t much worse than curtains that fall short of touching the floor. One of the biggest mistakes when hanging drapery is installing them too short. Floor-grazing drapes will give you a tailored and timeless appearance. The other acceptable look is for your drapes to slightly puddle on the floor. A puddle will give you a softer, more romantic feel.

4. Layer for Depth and Texture

Don’t be afraid to layer your window treatments! Combining a Roman shade with drapes creates a sophisticated, dimensional look. A favorite combination is a woven shade paired with a linen or linen-blend drape. This mix of textures adds warmth and a high-end, luxurious feel to the space.

5. Favorite Styles and Recommendations

When it comes to pleat styles, my personal preference is a pinch pleat, triple pleat, or triple tailored pleat for a polished and elegant look. My favorite affordable yet completely customizable drapes are the Liz Linen Drapes from TWOPAGES.

Pro tip: If you want consistently perfect drapes that you don’t have to constantly adjust, paying the extra money for memory shaping is always worth it. This shaping ensures that your drapes lay beautifully and maintain their shape over time, giving your space a flawless, designer-inspired finish.

Follow Jami Campbell Interiors on social media for more tips and inspiration!

*All photographs credit: Jami Campbell

ABOUT WRITER

Great shades!

We love our Twopages Cinnamon Natural Jute Bamboo Woven Shade. The true color is a bit darker than photos depicted online but I got the sample booklet and anticipated that. I do really like it.

Amazing Workmanship and Embroidered Trim!

Two Pages has upped their game. My drapes came in a lovely branded zipper bags with a lovely message inside. Delivery was so quick! I have over a dozen curtains in my home from Two Pages. I recently upgraded my Isabella Paper White curtains in my living room to Isabella Paper White with R31 Trim. Oh my goodness- GORGEOUS!!! Firstly, my original Paper White drapes had a blue tinge to them, a very stark white. Which was fine, but I don’t know if they changed the sourcing, but the Paper White colour is now a lovely True clean white that is more soft, I LOVE the white. The R31 trim sample that I ordered in advance, also matched the trim tape on the curtains. Customer service was good to confirm with my enquiry that the sample did indeed match, as the website colour depicted was a bit different. It is a stunning sky blue (not aqua like the website picture). Moreover the workmanship and specifically how the tape was sewn onto the drape, was straight and aligned nicely with the thread. I was nervous when I ordered, because I saw a review where you could see that the sewing had gone outside of the lines and looked sub par; but I can assure you, the trim tape is sewn on beautifully. I plan to order Jawara Pink with Q21 or K61 next; which will make it 20 pairs of drapes from Two Pages that I own, LOL. The trim tape itself is such good quality, wide and stunningly embroidered. They rival designer named ones. I WISH I could order the trim tape itself so that I can add it to a throw pillow and at the bottom of my slip covered dining chairs, to coordinate the rooms. My style is Modern French Country I would say. Thank you Two Pages for my exquisite drapes

Hello! Thank you for your support! Open this link and you can order the trim border samples: https://twopagescurtains.com/products/choose-any-5-trim-border-samples-for-8 . If you would like a custom length of the trim border, you can contact support@twopagescurtains.com, our customer service team will assist you.

Obsessed with this texture!

Love how our shade turned out in both texture and color! It compliments our creamy white trim and oak floors perfectly!

Excellent curtains

I ordered the custom Liz linen curtains for my living room and dining room. Got the lightest liner as recommended by customer service because I was worried about fading of the curtain. Color is burlywood birch. They are beautiful curtains. The hook thats included makes them adjustable in height so you can make them longer or shorter as needed. Will definitely order again.