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How to Hang Curtains with Crown Molding
If you’re considering drapery for windows with crown molding or a room with crown molding at the ceiling, in addition to deciding on the curtain material and hardware, you’ll also need to decide how to hang them. While there are general best practices for hanging curtains, how to hang curtains with crown molding will differ from how you hang curtains on a window without any type of crown molding. The right approach for your drapery in a room with crown molding will depend on your unique situation as well as the aesthetic and functionality you’d like to achieve.
To learn the best practices for how to hang curtains with crown molding, first make sure you understand what crown molding is. Then, review the best practices for hanging curtains based on your particular situation.
What Is Crown Molding?
Crown molding is traditionally defined as the trim that separates the walls and the ceiling. However, crown molding can also be used to define any trim that adorns the tops of other architectural elements, such as windows, doors and cabinets.
When it comes to how to hang curtains with crown molding, itās important to first identify which type of crown molding your room has:
- At the ceiling
- On the window trim
Hanging Curtains with Crown Molding
When hanging curtains with crown molding, the best placement depends on where the molding is located and how much of it you want to keep visible. Crown molding at the ceiling can influence how high you place the curtain rod or track, while crown molding on the window trim may affect whether you hang drapery high and wide or choose an inside-mount shade or blind instead. The goal is to create a polished look that complements the molding, gives your curtains enough room to operate smoothly, and supports the right balance of style, privacy and light control.
How to Hang Curtains with Crown Molding at the Ceiling
The best practices for where to hang curtains with crown molding at your ceiling are pretty straightforward. If you have crown molding at the ceiling, typically, the best place to hang your curtains is an inch or two below the crown molding. Hanging your curtains high above the window also creates the illusion that you have larger, more dramatic windows and a taller ceiling.
The only exception to this rule is if you have very tall ceilings. Then, itās best to hang curtains about 8 to 10 inches above the window frame to prevent them from going so high they lose their impact and functionality.
Keep in mind for curtain rod placement with crown molding that its not a good idea to install the rod directly into the crown molding itself. Not only will it damage the molding, but the rod won’t be as secure as it would be installed directly into the wall. This is because the crown molding alone doesn’t provide a strong anchor for your brackets. The molding is typically only attached to your wall and ceiling using construction adhesive and/or finishing nails, neither of which will provide the support your curtains need.
How to Hang Curtains on Windows with Crown Molding
When hanging curtains on windows with crown molding, the goal is to frame the window beautifully without hiding or crowding the decorative trim. Your best approach will depend on the molding placement, ceiling height, hardware style, and how much of the crown molding you want to keep visible. In most cases, youāll choose one of these approaches:
- Hang your curtains high and wide: This keeps the window trim visible whenever your drapes are open and helps the window feel taller and wider.
- Consider a ceiling curtain track: If there is enough space above the window crown molding and your ceiling design allows it, hanging curtains from the ceiling can create a clean, floor to ceiling look.
- Choose an inside-mounted shade or blind: If your priority is keeping the window crown molding visible at all times, custom shades or blinds mounted inside the window frame may be a better fit than drapery.
For most drapery applications, hanging high and wide is the best place to start.
Hanging Your Drapery High & Wide
When it comes to how to hang curtains on windows with crown molding, the best approach is to go high and wide, so your beautiful window crown molding is on display whenever the drapes are open.
For the best effect, hang your curtains with these best practices in mind:
If you also have crown molding at your ceiling, follow the best practices above for how to hang curtains with crown molding and hang them just below the molding. Make sure that the curtain rod extends far enough off your wall so that you do not catch the window trim.
If you do not have crown molding at your ceiling, then you have some options for how to hang curtains on windows with crown molding based on your exact situation:
- Hang your curtains just below the ceiling or ceiling-mount them for a tall, dramatic look for your drapery, ideal for shorter or average-height ceilings.
- Hang your curtains halfway between the top of your window trim and the bottom of the ceiling, plus an inch or two to avoid dissecting the space exactly in half, ideal for average-height or taller ceilings.
- Hang your curtains about 8 to 10 inches above the window trim, ideal for very tall cathedral ceilings.
How to Keep Your Window Crown Molding Visible
While you can mount your drapery just below the crown molding, across the window trim, this is typically not ideal, as it will likely make your windows and walls look shorter.
Therefore, instead of considering how to hang curtains, the best option for keeping your decorative trim exposed may actually be to forego drapery altogether and choose an alternative.
With shades and blinds inside mounted in your window frame, you can maintain a permanent view of your windowās trim and crown molding, while still getting a look you love.
Some ideal options to replace drapery include:
- Roman Shades: For the warmth and luxury feel of drapery, with greater functionality and more compact design, try Roman Shades. When inside mounted in your window frame, Roman Shades wonāt hinder the view of your window trim. Plus, theyāre easy to raise and lower throughout the day as your privacy and light needs change.
- Woven Wood Shades: Made from natural, eco-friendly fibers like bamboo, reeds and grasses, Woven Wood Shades give you similar functionality to Roman Shades, but with a more boho look and feel.
- Roller Shades & Solar Shades: For a more minimalist, sleek look, Roller and Solar Shades provide exceptional functionality and come in a variety of patterns and colors to suit your aesthetic style.
- Wood Blinds: The warmth of real wood is a great alternative to drapery as it still gives you a sophisticated, luxe look as well as excellent functionality.
Other Design Factors to Consider
If youāre set on drapery and have decided how to hang curtains with crown molding, youāre ready to consider other factors that will affect your drapery design.
Curtain Stack & Fullness
The stack refers to how much space the drapery takes up when fully drawn open and the fullness of the drapery refers to how lush and full it looks when drawn closed. Youāll need to take both into account when deciding on the right width for your curtains and the hardware. Typically, adding at least 12 inches on each side of your window frame for the hardware will ensure the drapery can be pulled fully off the window glass for a clean, unhindered view. Plus, wider curtains also help make the window look larger and wider.
Curtain Length
The length of your curtains will depend on how high you hang your curtains as well as your preferences for how they look on the floor. You have three main options for your curtain length:
- Float Length: Float length curtains hover just above the floor, creating a clean, tailored look. This length is ideal if you frequently open and close your curtains or want your drapery to stay clear of the floor.
- Break Length: A popular choice, break length curtains kiss the floor with about 1 to 2 inches of excess fabric. This option creates a polished, elegant look while helping disguise slightly uneven floors.
- Puddle Length: For a more dramatic take on floor to ceiling curtains with crown molding, consider puddle length curtains. With 3 to 6 inches of excess fabric pooling on the floor, this style helps disguise uneven floors while creating an elegant, luxurious look.
Install Best Practices for How to Hang Curtains
Once youāve identified how to hang curtains with crown molding in terms of width and height, you can consider installation. If you plan on installing the curtain rod yourself, always consult the hardwareās installation instructions first, before starting your project.
For a brief install overview, follow these steps:
- Step 1: With a pencil and measuring tape, mark the overall width of your curtain rod.
- Step 2: Determine where the curtain rod brackets should be placed and mark the points with a pencil. Bracket placement will depend on your curtain rodās overall width as well as what type of hardware youāre using (a track system or rod and rings).
- Step 3: Install your curtain rod or track system. Installing the brackets in the wall usually only requires a basic Phillips screwdriver. A level will also help to make sure your rod or track system is installed evenly.
- Step 4: Hang your curtains, according to the type of drapery and drapery hardware youāve chosen.
Prefer to avoid a DIY install? Expert help is available when you choose drapery and hardware from The Shade Store.
Get Expert Help for Your Project
Now that you know the best practices for how to hang curtains with crown molding you need to ensure your project is executed in the best way possible. When you choose custom drapery from The Shade Store, you can rely on our team of window treatment professionals. Request a complimentary measurement for your drapery to get the height, width and length just the way you want it ā without lifting a finger.
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