Hi friends! Long time, no talk! I have a little life update — first, I’m pregnant and due at the end of October! It’s been such an incredible journey so far, and I have so much more I want to share once he’s actually here.
Second, Sabir and I bought our first home back in July, and we’ve been soaking up every moment of this new chapter. The house was built in 1994 and had never been updated, but the bones were beautiful, and we instantly fell in love with its colonial charm. When we were house hunting, we were actually looking for something outdated so we could truly make it our own. So many homes these days have been flipped by investors with quick, trendy finishes — all grey everything, faux marble countertops — which just isn’t our style. We wanted something we could design and renovate thoughtfully, with materials and details that would stand the test of time.
We’ve been slowly making changes (as you might have seen on Instagram!) and I’m so excited to start sharing more home updates here on the blog. There’s a lot more to come, but I had to kick things off with this curtain find that completely transformed our family room.
Funny enough, the day after Sabir installed them, we had someone over to give us a fence quote, and the first thing out of his mouth when he walked in was, “Wow, the living room curtains look amazing!”
As an interior designer, I’m constantly sourcing window treatments for clients, and pinch pleat curtains are always a favorite. They’re timeless, tailored, and instantly elevate a room. The downside? Going fully custom can easily run into the five-figure range for a space like ours—especially with double-height windows.
When we moved in, I knew our living room windows would be tricky—they’re tall, beautiful, and full of natural light, but they’re also different heights. One window is taller and wider, the other shorter and narrower. My solution? Treat them both as if they were the same height. It instantly gave the room a more intentional, designer look.
After weeks of searching, I found these double-height pinch pleat curtains on Amazon (these exact ones), and they were exactly what I needed. I ordered 8 packs of the 42” x 132” panels, and the total came to about $650—a fraction of the cost of custom drapery. Each pack came with two panels, so the total width per pack was 84 inches.
Of course, with ready-made curtains you’re limited in fabric, height, and width options, and the quality isn’t on par with a workroom. But for our aesthetic and privacy needs, they get the job done beautifully. They’re also light filtering, so the sun can shine in during the day while still offering a soft layer of privacy.
Rod Placement Tips
A common mistake is hanging curtains too low. To create the illusion of a taller room and draw the eye upward, curtain rods are typically hung 4–6 inches below the ceiling or crown molding.
With vaulted ceilings, you don’t necessarily have to go to the very top. In our case, I placed the rods high enough to elongate the windows and align them visually across the wall, while still keeping the proportions balanced with the architecture and the fireplace. This also allowed us to carry the same rod height from the taller window across to the shorter one, which instantly made the wall feel more cohesive.
One tool that made this so much easier was a laser level. It saved us a ton of time and ensured the rods were perfectly straight and consistent across both windows — a must when working in a tall space where even small placement errors can be obvious.
Choosing the Right Curtain Length
Once you’ve determined your rod placement, measure from the rod down to the floor. I like my curtains to sit about ¼ inch above the ground. Every time I’ve measured for them to “kiss” the floor, they’ve ended up dragging—either from slight measurement variances, fabric stretch, or floor unevenness. That tiny gap gives you a crisp, tailored look without the frustration of curtains bunching at the bottom.
If your exact length isn’t available, size up and hem them or use drapery hooks to fine-tune the height.
Measuring Curtain Rod Width
Measure from the outer edge of one window frame to the other, then add 8–10 inches on each side so the curtains can stack without blocking light. In our case, we didn’t have much wall space—one side is tight to a wall, the other to the fireplace—so we adjusted to fit what we had.
Corner Window Solutions
Our windows meet in the corner, so we used these corner connectors to join the rods seamlessly—a small detail that makes a huge difference.
Getting the Perfect Curtain Fullness
Curtains look best with volume—not when they’re pulled tight and flat. My rule of thumb: 1.5–2x the width of your curtain rod for the total curtain width. And let’s be honest—no one likes a window that looks skimpy on the curtains.
Example: If your rod is 100” wide, aim for 150–200” of curtain fabric total. Each panel here is 42” wide, and since each pack comes with two panels (totaling 84”), you’d divide your target width by 84 to figure out how many packs to order.
Hanging Tips & Tricks
These curtains are substantial—meaning heavy. Standard screws won’t cut it. We used heavy-duty screws from Home Depot to keep everything secure:
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For studs, we used the E-Z Ancor Stud Solver.
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For spots without studs, we used the WallClaw LOC-N-LOAD Hammer-In Drywall Anchor, which can hold up to 165 lbs.
For hardware, we used these curtain rods and these curtain rings. The rings in particular feel heavy and substantial, with a quality that matches the weight of the curtains—something that makes a big difference in both appearance and function.
Once hung, don’t skip steaming them—wrinkles can cheapen the look instantly.
If you’re using rings, here’s my must-know tip: place one ring on the outside of the bracket before you hang the rest. This holds the edge of the curtain neatly in place when you close them, instead of letting the whole panel pull away and leave a gap. It’s a small trick that makes the drapery feel more polished and intentional.
The result: A dramatic, floor-to-ceiling designer look for under $700 using Amazon double-height curtains, quality hardware, and a few smart styling details. It’s proof that with the right measurements, hardware, and tips, you can get a high-end look without a high-end budget! Let me know what you guys think and if you end up ordering them! I would love to see how they turn out in your home!
WOW, these look amazing! They completely change the whole room. I’m going to calculate my measurements and order this week 😄. I’ve also heard curtains can help absorb sound and reduce echoes, which is such a great bonus
and you did it again 👏👏👏