What are Puddled Curtains?

When I think about puddles, what comes to mind is a pool of water on the floor that needs to be cleaned up or my granddaughters jumping in puddles after it's rained (here they're enjoying the puddles at the Magic Kingdom). So where does the term puddled curtains come from …

What are Puddled Curtains?

Puddled (or pooled) curtains are ones that have fabric that pools on the floor. Whether you call these curtains puddled or pooled, they are longer than floor length so the fabric has to go somewhere. That's the fun part as you get to arrange the fabric which works well when you don't have young children or pets that will undo your styling.

You should pick the look you want before installing your curtains. That way you can adjust how much fabric is on the floor versus moving your curtain rod higher/lower (even though I love quilting, hemming curtains isn't very exciting).

Different Types of Puddled Curtains

While I was familiar with the concept of puddled curtains before writing this article, I wasn't aware of how many different styles of pooling (another word for puddling) curtains. Here are the different levels of puddling I learned about from Hover, Break or Puddle? What Length Should My Drapes Be?

• Trouser length, puddled curtains – are exactly what you would guess. Like a man's trousers that rest gently on his shoes, these curtains gently sit on the floor with a slight fold. Amazingly you only need one extra inch of fabric to create this look.

• Minimal puddling – in curtains takes one to three inches of extra fabric. That's not much for the cozy feeling that these drapes give your room.

• Curtains with moderate puddling – use three to six inches of extra fabric (108 in if you want to buy ready made curtains). This makes the drapes extend out into the room, so they're best used in rooms with less foot traffic that require less cleaning. They provide a more formal look and depending on the fabric, can help reduce your heating and cooling costs.  

• Luxury pooled curtains – use more fabric, typically six to eight inches. They're usually made with high-end fabrics like silk and used in formal rooms where they won't be opened or closed very often. This bedroom (below) is a great example where sheer curtains are used for privacy while the puddled curtains frame a beautiful view.

Decisions to Make Before Buying Curtains

All these curtains look wonderful but now it's time to add a little reality to the decision process. Here are some questions to ask yourself before investing in beautiful curtains.

• Is the room where these curtains will go formal or casual?
• What decorating style would best describe the room and the furniture you already have in the room?
• How much foot traffic (kids and pets) does the room get? Do people entering and leaving the room pass by the curtains?
• What kind of flooring is in the room?
• What curtain length will look best with the room's style and flooring?