Connect with H&H

Above or Below?

Nu-house's picture
Nu-house

When hanging draperies, and you have baseboard heaters, is it your preference to hang your draperies above the top of the heater or to the floor?? I have hung my living room draperies above the baseboards and was just curious what others have done. It took me 3 days to make my draperies. I lined them and hopefully they will last a good 10 or more years. I'll try to get a pic tomorrow. Pinchpleats are harder to make than one might think! ARGH!

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Claudia S's picture
Claudia S

with those drapes will look amazing. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

Foxxy's picture
Foxxy

I love the print on the drapes.........lots of sewing....you did a lovely job. What colour have you decided for the room now >?

Nu-house's picture
Nu-house

Yes, we've ordered a Sofa and two chairs for the living room - you can see a similar one the Ferretti website ([url]www.ferrettiinteriors.com[/url])
[url]http://www.ferrettiinteriors.com/item.php?selected_item=18371[/url] (the one we ordered isn't on the site, but this one I linked is almost identical. Ours does not have upholstery tacks.) It's a darker brown, also. Very mocha brown.

I've got some red fabric, which I'll just tack on the bottom and see how it looks. It may not be as "RED" as you're referring to, but I'll pull it out later on. I've got a ton of fabric books I can use, as well, to try to find the right red. I've got a couple of "linen" books.

Thanks.

redheron's picture
redheron

Band the bottom of the drapes with a burnt cherry red linen to pick up the colour from the drapery.

You mentioned chocolate leather for this room? That would look great with the gold and then the red.

jem007's picture
jem007

Sorry to see you have to rework, but I think the drapes must go to the floor.
Are the drapes going to be pulled all the time? If not, I cannot see how they would be a fire hazard, especially if you get the clips that hold them away from direct contact with the heaters.

I have never seen electric baseboard heaters before. What a design disaster they are.....and in every room! yikes.

Nu-house's picture
Nu-house

Here's a photo of the drapes, up close. They are 2 1/2 times full so there is tons of fullness even closed. I'm more concerned with the length. It's difficult to tell from this pic, but they do clear the registers. That may be why they strike me as incomplete. I will reduce the hem today, if I have time, and take them to the floor and repost a pic.

janetc's picture
janetc

i have no idea what these bracket things are that you guys are talking about....do they go on the heater and what do they look like, anyone have a pic to share
smiles
janetc

redheron's picture
redheron

get a little projection rod that slots into the opening of the baseboard heater that prevents the fabric from rubbing up against/getting to close to the heat.. without having to use the additional projection on the brackets. I was at a Model Room we are using for the show this week and she used these to keep her silk taffeta drapes from going up in flames.. Very understated little gadget apparently available at large home reno stores...

Nu-house's picture
Nu-house

THank you for all the feedback and opinions.

Red, yes, I left a good 12 inches of hem, just in case I didn't like it above the baseboard registers. I've been away for a few days, just getting back this afternoon. I will post a pic when my cam is charged, and give you an idea of what it looks like.

I have the draperies extended, also, (I also prefer that look), and can bring them down to the bottom of the register. I just had this feeling that the drapes would appear TOO long if I hung them all the way. I hate baseboard heaters, but the new house has them in all the rooms. ARGH!

I'm also on the lookout for thoughts on paint colour for the main floor. I have picked out 3 of my faves, but would love some feedback.

Pics coming soon!

coffeelady's picture
coffeelady

Personally, I would prefer to look at beautiful curtain material than baseboards. If the rod is projected out from the wall, then the curtains will not get into the baseboards and be a fire hazard. I agree with another reader that you can add more material in another pattern, braid, or beading and make your curains even more unique.

janetc's picture
janetc

jen, that would scare the buns off me to...i have never had that problem and we have them in every room....i find they bug me as it makes it difficult for furniture placement...........grrrrr!
smiles
janetc

janetc's picture
janetc

sorry red we must have been posting at the same time....no i have never had black marks from my heater at all....so you have done this many times and no problems....i bet it would look good, i have never thought of that...heating companies confuse me as i had some tell me 12 inches away and then when i inquired about our daughters bed, if the comforter was to fall into it, they told me that there is an automatic shut off and it wouldnt start fire...thanks for your help
smiles
janetc

jenjen's picture
jenjen

we had them in our first house...they drove me nuts...i was always afraid of them...black marks on the wall?...i'd be ripping them out...and calling someone to come and install me a furnace...that would scare the crap out of me

janetc's picture
janetc

lol now i know what you mean....but i have been told that should have a 10 to 12 inch clearance in front of the heater from furniture, at least that is what some of the heating companies told me....that is a good idea, thanks jen
smiles
janetc

redheron's picture
redheron

The standard extension Janet on a drapery bracket is 3" out from the wall.. which will have your drapery touching up against most standard heaters. If you use larger brackets which extend an additional 3" out for a total of 6" your drapery will well clear the heater and therefore hang to the floor and hide the ugly things!!!

Do you ever have problems with the heaters leaving blackened marks above on the wall? I once had a client with huge black marks on her wallpaper above the heaters.. I don't know how she slept at night knowing that was happening...EEK!

jenjen's picture
jenjen

i think what she means is that the bracket that hold the rod is 6'' away from the wall rather than the normal 3''...do you know that i mean...i hope...ok ummm...instead of using the bracket that comes with the rod...that are 3'' long...she uses ones that are 6'' inches long...so that rod and curtain are further away from the wall...then again i think that's what she means...lol

janetc's picture
janetc

how mine looks, so i can give you an idea and maybe you can suggest and explain what you are telling nu house about going to the floor, this heater goes straight across the full length of the window....is this the same as yours Nu house
thanks
smiles
janetc

janetc's picture
janetc

just curious how can you hang them below the heater....my heater is the full length of the window...so in my case the curtains would lay on the heater...do you have a picture describing what you mean, im not good at picturing things visually
thank you
smiles
janetc

redheron's picture
redheron

clearance and circulation are key...

I hang mine below - always. Instead of a normal 3" clearance from the wall, I go with 6" projections on the brackets so the drapery doesn't come into direct contact with the heaters and allows for airflow. With them being above the heater.. tends to look like they shrunk.. can you let down the hem at all? Add a contrast band?

janetc's picture
janetc

arent those baseboards just lovely....i raised my rod up above the trim so i still had the 83 inches or so and they are above the heater and i find they look just fine...i bet yours will be just fine too.......good luck
smiles
janetc

Foxxy's picture
Foxxy

You can buy clips to hold the drapes away from the heaters. Fabric stores sell them.

dustbunnydiva's picture
dustbunnydiva

Probably below looks better, but when it comes to fire hazards you probably aren't supposed to do that. Even if you got those vent cover/shoot things they's still ball up curtains that were too long.

I wonder, if you like them long, if you could do something sneeky like put a long beaded fringe on the bottom. Beads should be fireproof and would give you the visual length.

Comment Guidelines

We welcome your feedback on Houseandhome.com. H&H reserves the right to remove any unsuitable personal remarks made about the bloggers, hosts, homeowners and/or guests we feature. Please keep your comments focused on decorating, design, cooking and other lifestyle topics. Adopt a tone you would be willing to use in person and do not make slanderous remarks or use denigrating language. If you see a comment that you believe violates any of the guidelines outlined above, please click “Alert a Moderator.” Thank you.

OK