How To Tie Up Curtains That Are Too Long: Decorative Fixes

Introduction

There is a specific kind of panic that sets in when you hang a new set of curtains and realize they are pooling aggressively on the floor. While a little bit of “puddling” can be romantic and traditional, having a foot of extra fabric dragging on the ground is usually just a dust trap. It disrupts the visual flow of the room and, in high-traffic areas, becomes a tripping hazard for guests and pets.

As an interior designer, I often encounter this issue when clients move into rental properties or inherit vintage drapery. The immediate instinct is to take them to a tailor or break out the scissors, but you don’t always need to permanently alter the fabric. In fact, some of the most charming window treatments come from creative styling solutions that lift the hem without a single stitch. For plenty of visual inspiration on styling these looks, check out the Picture Gallery at the end of this post.

In this guide, I will walk you through professional styling techniques to manage excess curtain length. We will look at decorative knotting, strategic hardware use, and fabric manipulation. These methods allow you to keep the integrity of the curtains while making them fit your space perfectly.

1. The Art of the Decorative Knot

Knotting curtains is perhaps the quickest way to reduce length while adding a relaxed, bohemian vibe to a room. This technique works best with lightweight, unlined fabrics like linen, cotton voile, or sheer blends. It creates a casual focal point and allows natural light to filter through in a very sculptural way.

The key here is to ensure the knot looks intentional, not like an accident. You want a soft, loose knot rather than a tight, hard one. A tight knot will severely wrinkle the fabric and can actually damage the fibers over time.

Step-by-Step Knotting Technique:

Gather the curtain panel in your hands at a height just below the window sill.

Create a loose loop with the fabric, bringing the tail end through.

Gently pull to tighten, but leave plenty of “breathing room” in the knot.

Fluff the fabric above the knot to create a nice volume.

Adjust the tail so it hovers about an inch above the floor.

This look is particularly effective in spaces that are meant to feel breezy and informal, like a sunroom, a breakfast nook, or a coastal-themed living room. It implies a sense of ease. If you have multiple windows side-by-side, ensure every knot is tied at the exact same height. I usually measure from the floor up to the center of the knot to guarantee uniformity across the room.

Designer’s Note: The Volume Rule
Avoid this method if your curtains are made of heavy velvet or have a stiff blackout lining. Thick fabrics resist knotting and will look bulky and awkward. It can also permanently crush the pile of velvet, leaving unsightly marks when you eventually untie them. Stick to fabrics that have a fluid drape.

2. Creating a “Bustle” with Magnetic Holdbacks

If the knot look is too casual for your dining room or formal living area, magnetic holdbacks are your best friend. These are clever little devices consisting of two decorative ends connected by a cord or ribbon, with strong magnets embedded inside. They allow you to manipulate the fabric shape without attaching any hardware to your walls.

You can use these to create a “bustle” effect, similar to the back of a wedding dress. This effectively shortens the curtain by pulling the excess fabric up and away from the floor. It looks sophisticated and tailored, mimicking the look of a Roman shade or a balloon valance depending on how you style it.

How to Create the Bustle:

Determine how much length you need to lose (e.g., 6 inches).

Reach behind the curtain panel and grab a handful of fabric about 12 to 15 inches up from the bottom hem.

Lift this fabric up and secure it with the magnetic holdback from behind or the side.

Fluff the fabric that folds over the holdback to hide the magnet.

The result should be a soft, billowy fold that raises the bottom hem off the floor.

This method is fantastic for renters because it requires zero drilling. It also preserves the fabric completely. When you move to a place with higher ceilings, you simply unclasp the magnet, and your curtains are full length again.

Common Mistakes + Fixes
The most common mistake here is using a magnet that is too weak for the drapery weight. If you have heavy thermal drapes, a standard plastic magnetic clip will slide down. Look for “heavy-duty” rare earth magnetic tiebacks, or use a decorative metal cuff that wraps around the fabric entirely for friction support.

3. The “Fold and Pin” Fake Hem

Sometimes you want the curtains to hang straight down, looking like a standard panel, but they are simply too long. If you aren’t ready to sew or use iron-on tape, you can use the “fold and pin” method. This is essentially a temporary hem that mimics a professional tailor’s work.

This requires safety pins—specifically, large, heavy-duty safety pins. The goal is to fold the excess fabric under and pin it from the back so the front of the curtain looks seamless. This works on almost any fabric type, including heavier weights, provided your pins are strong enough.

The Execution:

Measure the curtain while it is hanging. Determine exactly where you want the new hemline to hit (usually “kissing” the floor).

Take the curtain down or work on a step ladder (taking it down is easier for accuracy).

Fold the bottom hem up toward the backside of the fabric.

Press the fold with an iron to get a crisp edge. This is crucial for a professional look.

Use safety pins every 4 to 6 inches to secure the folded fabric to the back lining.

Ensure the pin only catches the back layer of the front fabric so the metal doesn’t show through to the front.

This method is “semi-permanent.” It will last for years if you don’t mess with it, but can be undone in five minutes. It is vastly superior to using staples or tape, which can leave residue or holes.

Designer’s Note: The Break
When pinning, decide on your “break.” A “trouser break” is when the curtain hits the floor and buckles slightly, usually with 1 inch of excess fabric. A “kiss” is when it barely touches. For high-traffic zones with pets (dog hair is a magnet for curtain bottoms), I recommend pinning it so it hovers 0.5 inches off the floor. This keeps the fabric clean.

4. Blousing Over Traditional Tiebacks

If you already have metal or wooden tiebacks installed on your walls (the J-hooks or knobs usually placed beside the window), you can use them to shorten length. However, instead of just sweeping the curtain back, we will use a technique called “blousing.”

Blousing involves pulling the curtain taut across the window, then tucking the excess length up and over the tieback arm. It creates a stationary, draped look that is very traditional and elegant. This is often seen in Victorian or French Country design styles.

How to Blouse Correctly:

Close the curtains so they cover the window.

Lift the fabric at the height of the tieback.

Drape the fabric over the tieback hardware, letting the top portion pouf out slightly.

Adjust the bottom hem. By pulling more fabric over the arm, you raise the bottom edge.

Arrange the folds so they cascade naturally.

This creates a swooping, curved bottom edge rather than a straight line. It exposes the center of the window while covering the sides. It is a great way to handle curtains that are 10+ inches too long, as the blousing eats up a significant amount of fabric.

Real-World Project Tip
In a recent bedroom project, we had gorgeous silk drapes that were far too long. By installing decorative crystal knobs quite high up on the wall (about 40 inches from the floor) and blousing the fabric over them, we turned the extra length into a dramatic, voluminous feature. It made the room feel softer and more luxurious.

5. Strategic Rod Adjustment and Hardware Swaps

Before you touch the fabric, look at your hardware. Often, the problem isn’t the curtain length; it’s the rod placement. In design school, one of the first things we learn is “high and wide.” Hanging curtains higher makes the room feel taller and more spacious.

If your curtains are dragging by 4 to 6 inches, you may be able to fix the issue simply by moving your curtain rod up. Most standard ceilings are 8 or 9 feet. If your rod is mounted directly above the window frame, you likely have wall space above it to utilize.

The Hardware Adjustment Checklist:

Move the rod up: Relocate the brackets closer to the ceiling or crown molding. This instantly lifts the hem.

Switch connection methods: Are you using clip rings? Rings add about 1 to 2 inches of length to the drapery. If you remove the rings and thread the rod directly through the rod pocket or back tabs, you instantly shorten the curtain hang by that same 1 to 2 inches.

Widen the rod: Sometimes, pulling the rod wider (extending past the window frame by 10-12 inches) pulls the fabric tauter horizontally, which can slightly lift the hem if the curtains were previously bunched.

If you are a renter and cannot drill new holes to move the rod, look into “tension rod” adapters or command-strip hooks for lightweight sheers, though moving the actual hardware is always the most stable fix.

What I’d Do in a Real Project: A Mini Checklist
When I walk into a room with dragging curtains, I run through this mental decision tree:

Can I move the rod up? If yes, and it fixes the length, do that first. It looks the best.

Is the fabric thin? If yes, I try the knotting method for a relaxed look.

Is the fabric thick/expensive? I use the “fold and pin” method to preserve the textile without crushing it.

Is it a temporary rental fix? I use magnetic tiebacks to bustle it up.

Final Checklist: Designing for Durability

Before you settle on a method, consider who lives in the house. Design is not just about aesthetics; it is about function.

Pet Owners: Avoid puddling on the floor. It collects fur and dander. Use the Fold and Pin method or Knotting to get the fabric 1 inch off the ground.

Parents of Toddlers: Avoid magnetic clips that can be pulled off and swallowed. Avoid tension rods that can be pulled down. The safest bet is hemming (even with tape) or moving the rod up out of reach.

Sun Exposure: If the window gets intense direct sunlight, avoid knotting. The sun will fade the exposed parts of the knot unevenly, leaving you with tie-dye looking stripes when you eventually untie them.

FAQs

Does tying knots in curtains ruin them?
It depends on the fabric and the tightness. Loose knots on cotton or linen are generally safe. Tight knots on velvet, silk, or stiff synthetic linings will cause permanent creasing and may distort the weave of the fabric. Always steam the curtains after untying them to relax the fibers.

How high off the floor should curtains be?
For a tailored look, they should “kiss” the floor (touching lightly). For a clean, modern look, they should hover 0.5 inches above the floor. “Puddling” (excess fabric on the floor) is a specific traditional style, usually requiring 2 to 6 extra inches, but it is high maintenance.

Can I use hem tape instead of sewing?
Yes, iron-on fusible web (hem tape) is a fantastic permanent or semi-permanent solution. However, be careful with sheer fabrics, as the glue can sometimes bleed through or look stiff. Always test a small patch in a hidden corner first.

What if my curtains are lined?
Lined curtains are difficult to knot because the lining and the face fabric will pull at different rates, looking messy. For lined drapes, the “Fold and Pin” method or using magnetic holdbacks are the most effective solutions that keep the layers together tidily.

Conclusion

Curtains that are too long don’t have to be a headache, and they certainly don’t require a trip to the tailor. By viewing the extra fabric as an opportunity for styling rather than a mistake, you can add character and depth to your room.

Whether you choose the breezy look of a decorative knot, the tailored appearance of a hidden pin hem, or the structural change of raising your curtain rod, the goal is to make the window treatment look intentional. Start with the least invasive method (like magnets or knots) and see how the room feels. You might find that the “fix” actually becomes your favorite design element in the space.

Picture Gallery

How To Tie Up Curtains That Are Too Long: Decorative Fixes - Featured Image