Do You Use Long Sheers and Drapes for Short Windows?

Size and Shape

• Before deciding to use long sheers and drapes in your window treatment design, gauge how short your window actually is. As a subjective word, "short" may mean something very different to you than it does to your neighbor. Additionally, a wide variety of different shapes and types of windows are available in shorter sizes. This includes projected or bay windows, tiny above-door transoms, custom-shaped windows such as octagons, and more traditional double-hung or casement types. While a long pair of sheers and drapes can easily fit a traditional casement or double-hung style, they will look out of place hanging on a short octagon or transom.

Heating and Cooling

• Window treatments aren't just for show. Although a decorative pattern or textured fabric can provide visual interest and add to your overall design scheme, drapery can help to maintain the temperature inside of your house. According to the University of Florida Extension, the length of your drapes can help or hinder the factors that contribute to your home's energy conservation. To have the best chance at keeping chilly winds out in the winter and cool air-conditioned air in during the summer, window treatments should be at least to the sill. Longer drapes that are floor-length are the best bet for maximizing the energy conservation possibilities that window treatments offer.

Furniture Placement

• Depending on your room's design plan, the decision to use long or short drapes and sheers may not make a noticeable difference. Placing furniture directly in front of or under a short window can make it easy to conceal or cover a longer window treatment. If you have a pair of long curtains that you either cannot or do not want to alter, hanging them on a short window by a wide sofa may be the key to keeping your room in balance. Simply hide the bottom half of the sheers and drapes behind the sofa. This will give the illusion that the drapes are either the same size or slightly longer than the window itself.

Personal Preference

• There is no steadfast design rule stating that you absolutely, positively must hem your drapes to match your window or that all sheers should be down to the floor. Instead, personal preference plays a crucial role in deciding to use long treatments with a shorter window. Some home decorators prefer the billowing look of floor-length sheers and drapes, while others enjoy a more tailored fit. For example, long curtains may be the perfect choice if you are designing a romantic bedroom look that includes a canopy bed, an abundance of throw pillows and draping fabrics. In contrast, shorter sheers and drapes that rest on the sill may be a better option for a clutter-free home-office window.