Short curtains are definitely not in vogue right now, with long drapes showing up consistently across the pages of design magazines and blogs. Yet there are legitimate reasons to go short, whether you have a cat who likes to claw the curtains, a radiator below the window, or you just like the look.
It's true that you can always choose shades, but short curtains have a casual, laid-back look that sometimes suits a room better than blinds. We know there are short curtain haters out there, and we'll probably get some heat for this, but we've rounded up a few examples to illustrate our point. In terms of length, all of these curtains fall at or slightly below the window sill.
SHOWN ABOVE
- 1 This curtain from the Purl Bee covers the window without hiding the wall molding.
- 2 A sofa beneath the window makes short curtains a practical choice.
- 3 In Luciano & Marzia's home, curtains stop short of the radiator.
- 4 A cafe curtain provides privacy and adds some color to Rachel's door.
- 5 Beth's curtains are unconventional, but the blue bar at the bottom adds a pop of the room's dominant color at mid-level, between the blue of the chair below and the wall up high.
Photos: Purl Bee (1), Sarah Coffey (2-3), Rachel (4), Beth (5)
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"This curtain from the Purl Bee covers the window without hiding the wall molding."
Um, no it doesn't.
Tab tops are wrong for this application, allowing light in at the top of the window...
...and the single width of fabric is just plain skimpy.
If you're going to go with inside mount - at least use rod-pocket tops...
...and use a pair of panels so that there's some fullness to the fabric when the curtains are pulled closed.
the timing of this post is perfect; i just spent this afternoon dressing my windows with their very own short curtains. i live in a studio in nyc, and chose a very graphic print for the fabric. since space is VERY limited and the print is really lively, gigantic floor length curtains would have been overwhelming.
i used an inside mount (i really think this is the only way to go if you shorten the curtains unless you have a really tall window) I also agree with bepsf that the tab tops don't really work in the first picture. i do love the look in the dining room, though!
I'm so glad you have the picture of the rope chair too! I just brought from my family home what (unmarked so far as I can find) must be one of those Yugoslavian or Italian versions which sits a little lower even, has a leather seat & back instead of rope and the leather back is corseted horizontally with 1 laced-in rope. Anyone know what it might be exactly??
Amen to what bepsf said. That first example is too bad, because with the proper tops and mounting, and the appropriate fullness, it would have been a really cute corner.
The curtains in the fifth picture work because of the bands at the bottom, which define the window space and makes the length of the drapes look intentional.
Well hey, I'll defend the Purl Bee window treatment. Given the overall monochrome scheme for the room and the sharp angles everywhere, I think the tab tops keep the lines simple. It avoids that fussy "scrunchie" look you get with rod pocket tops. Admittedly it lets in light, but it's a public room. I feel like the curtains were hung so the owner wouldn't be on display rather than blacking out light.
With respect to only using one panel, I think it's the same intention. By pulling one panel tight across, you still keep the lines clean.
I'm with 1100. I love that look and it's exactly what I would do if I didn't want to live in a fishbowl. It's light, airy and most importantly, neat. The scrunched up look of pocket curtains drives me crazy. It reminds me of elastic waist pants.
"Curtains Cut Short" ???
To me, they're curtains cut just right.
IMO, a curtain's job is to cover a window. I've always thought that floor-length curtains, basically covering windows AND walls (and sometimes pooling dustily on the floor) were silly and bordering on pretentious.
And I think the curtain in the first photo looks just fine.
Now, about those books.... '-)
I never thought about it before but all my curtains are short, single panels - who knew I was breaking so many rules! And some of them are even (gasp) half curtains - only covering the bottom half of the windows.
I like the simplicity and un-fussyness of simple curtains.
love the purl bee curtain!
I would rather see cafe curtains on that first one. Tab tops really only work when they're mounted high enough over the frame that the opening clears the casement.
Wow.
I've been living in a gorgeous old apartment with great windows for a year and a half, and I've really wanted to get curtains... except that they would hang over the radiators.
Why didn't I think of "short" curtains? >_<