Curtains
Should Curtains Touch the Floor? A UK Guide to Curtain Length (Including Radiators)
Should curtains touch the floor? The five curtain lengths explained in cm, when to go sill length, what to do with a radiator under the window, and how high to hang the pole.
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Updated October 2026 · By Sam K, Fabrica Kraft
Quick answer: In most living rooms and bedrooms, yes: curtains should either just touch the floor or finish about 1 cm above it. The main exception in British homes is a radiator under the window. There, sill-length curtains that stop about 1 cm above the sill are usually better, because long curtains trap the radiator's heat against the cold glass. Hang the pole 10 to 15 cm above the window frame and 15 to 20 cm wider on each side.
Curtains that stop a few centimetres short of the floor are one of the most common reasons a room looks not-quite-finished. But floor length isn't always right, especially in British homes, where radiators so often sit under windows. Here's how to decide, with every measurement in centimetres.
The five curtain lengths, explained
| Length | Where the hem sits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sill | About 1 cm above the windowsill | Windows above radiators, kitchen worktops, sinks, baths |
| Below sill (apron) | About 15 cm below the sill | Cottage windows and deep sills where there's no radiator |
| Float | About 1 cm above the floor | Busy rooms, pets, curtains you open and close daily |
| Kiss | Just touching the floor | Living rooms and bedrooms; the most tailored look |
| Puddle | 8 to 15 cm extra, resting on the floor | Formal or romantic rooms with heavy fabrics like velvet |
If you're unsure, choose kiss or float. They suit almost every room and are easy to live with. A gentle break of 2 to 5 cm also works well in period homes where the floor isn't level.
The radiator question
This is the big one for UK homes. When long curtains hang in front of a radiator, warm air rises behind them, straight up against the cold window glass. Much of that heat is lost before it reaches the room, and fabric resting against a hot radiator can fade or scorch over time.
Your options:
- Sill length: the simplest fix. The curtains stop just above the sill, and the radiator heats the room.
- Floor length, tucked behind: if there's a gap between the radiator and the wall, you can tuck long curtains behind the radiator at night. This keeps the floor-length look by day.
- Floor length with a radiator shelf: a shelf above the radiator pushes warm air into the room instead of up the window.
- Layer a blind: a blind inside the window recess blocks draughts, and dress curtains either side can then be any length.
Our guide to whether thermal and blackout curtains keep the heat in covers this in more detail.
Other times curtains shouldn't touch the floor
- Kitchens and bathrooms: sill length stays clear of splashes and steam.
- Window seats and built-in furniture: stop the curtains at the seat or sill.
- Children's rooms: shorter curtains are harder to pull down.
- Doors that open outward over the floor: float length avoids catching.
Avoid the in-between length that stops halfway between the sill and the floor. It nearly always looks like a mistake.
How high should you hang the pole?
Fit the pole or track 10 to 15 cm above the window frame. This makes the window, and the whole room, feel taller. If there's very little space between the frame and the ceiling, fit it halfway between the two. In high-ceilinged Victorian and Georgian rooms, you can go higher, up to just below the cornice, as long as the curtains still look connected to the window.
Always measure the drop from the pole, not the window. Measure from the top of the pole (or from where the hooks or rings sit) to where you want the hem, at both ends of the window. Old floors are rarely level, so use the shorter measurement. Our guide to measuring for curtains in cm walks you through it.
How wide should curtains be?
- Extend the pole 15 to 20 cm past each side of the frame, so open curtains stack against the wall, not over the glass.
- Order about twice the pole width in total fabric for soft, full folds.
- For voiles, go a little fuller, about 2.5 times, so they look soft instead of see-through and flat.
Example: a 160 cm pole at 2× fullness needs about 320 cm of fabric, so two panels of about 160 cm each. Our curtain size calculator does the maths.
Common curtain length mistakes
| Mistake | The result | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Measuring the drop from the window frame | Curtains too short once hung | Measure from the pole |
| Measuring at one point only | Hem drags at one end, floats at the other | Measure at both ends; use the shorter |
| Long curtains over a radiator | Heat lost up the window | Go sill length or tuck behind |
| Stopping 5 to 10 cm above the floor | Looks like the curtains shrank | Choose float or kiss |
| Buying ready-made in a standard drop | Rarely suits a raised pole | Order made to measure |
Choosing curtains by room
- Living rooms: kiss-length made-to-measure curtains, with a voile behind for daytime privacy.
- Bedrooms: float or kiss length with a 100% blackout lining. See blackout curtains.
- Formal and period rooms: pinch pleat or velvet curtains with a slight break.
- Tall ceilings: extra-long curtains, up to 366 cm drop.
- Wide bays and patio doors: extra-wide curtains, up to 305 cm per panel. Our double-width Warwick voiles are about 320 cm wide, so they have no seam.
- Garden rooms and pergolas: outdoor curtains, finished about 2.5 cm off the ground.
Every pair is made in 2 to 3 weeks, with free UK delivery and import duty and VAT already paid.
Frequently asked questions
Should curtains touch the floor or the windowsill?
Floor length suits most living rooms and bedrooms. Choose sill length if there's a radiator under the window, or in kitchens and bathrooms.
Is it OK for curtains to be 1 cm off the floor?
Yes. Up to about 1 cm above the floor still looks floor-length. Much more than that starts to look too short.
Do curtains make a room look smaller?
Not if they are hung well. Floor-length curtains on a pole fitted high and wide make a room look taller. Short curtains, or a pole fitted just above the frame, can make it feel smaller.
Should curtains cover a radiator?
Ideally not. They trap heat against the window. Go sill length, tuck them behind the radiator, or fit a radiator shelf.
How long should curtains be for a standard UK window?
There's no single standard. Measure from your pole to the floor or sill. Ready-made drops (such as 137, 183 and 229 cm) rarely match exactly, which is why made-to-measure curtains look better.
Should voiles touch the floor?
Yes, in most rooms. Floor-length voiles look more elegant and make the window feel taller.
