The Track Position Matters More Than People Realise

If you want bay window curtains to touch the floor, or hang just clear of it, the curtains need to hang straight down.

This means the curtain track has to be positioned correctly. If the track is fitted too close to a deep window sill, the curtains may catch on the sill or be pushed forward instead of hanging properly.

With many UK bay windows, the sill can be around 20cm to 25cm deep. In this situation, the curtain track usually needs to sit a couple of centimetres in front of the room-side edge of the sill.

This normally means using a ceiling-fitted bay window curtain track, rather than trying to fit the track close to the window.

When Wall or Frame Fixing May Still Work

If your bay window has a very shallow sill, only a few centimetres deep, it may still be possible to wall fix or frame fix the curtain track.

This is usually easier when the curtains do not need to clear a deep sill and can hang straight down from a track fitted closer to the window.

But for most bay windows with deeper sills, floor-length curtains usually work best with the track fitted to the ceiling and positioned slightly in front of the sill.

Should Floor-Length Curtains Hover Above the Floor?

Curtains that hang just clear of the floor can look very neat and are practical for everyday use.

If your floor is fairly level, having the curtains finish around 1cm above the floor is usually a good option.

This keeps the fabric clear of dust and makes the curtains easier to open and close without dragging along the floor.

It gives a cleaner, more modern look than curtains that gather on the floor.

Should Curtains Lightly Touch or Break on the Floor?

Letting the curtains lightly touch the floor, or break slightly on the floor, can be a more forgiving option.

This is especially useful if the floor slopes slightly from one side of the bay to the other.

For example, if the floor level changes by 2cm or 3cm across the bay, curtains that hover just above the floor in one area may look noticeably short in another.

Having the curtains made a little longer so they lightly break on the floor can help disguise that difference and give a softer finish.

What About Curtains Pooling on the Floor?

Pooling is when the curtains are made much longer than the floor length, often by around 10cm to 20cm, so the fabric gathers onto the floor.

This can look dramatic in styled rooms and photographs, but it is not usually the most practical option for curtains used every day.

Pooled curtains can collect dust, get in the way when opening and closing, and look messy if they are not dressed carefully.

In my opinion, pooling works best for decorative curtains that are mostly dressed off the window, often swept into tiebacks, rather than curtains that will be opened and closed regularly.

Why Bay Windows Make Floor-Length Curtains More Complicated

Bay windows often have more going on than a straight window.

You may have a deep sill, angled walls, uneven floors, radiators, or return walls to think about.

This is why the track position and curtain length need to be considered together.

A curtain may be the right length, but if the track is fitted in the wrong place, the finished result may still not look right.

What If the Floor Is Uneven?

Uneven floors are common, especially in older homes.

If your floor slopes across the bay, curtains that hover just above the floor can highlight the difference.

In that situation, curtains that lightly touch or break slightly on the floor are often more forgiving.

It is worth measuring from the planned track position down to the floor in several places around the bay before deciding on the final curtain drop.

What About Radiators Under the Bay?

If you have a radiator directly under the bay window, floor-length curtains may cover it when closed.

For some homes, this is not a major issue. For others, keeping the radiator clear is more important than having long curtains.

If heat loss is a concern, sill-length curtains or curtains that hang just below the sill and stop above the radiator may be more practical.

If you are unsure, read our guide: Should Bay Window Curtains Cover a Radiator?

When Floor-Length Curtains Work Best

Floor-length curtains usually work best when the track can be positioned so the curtains hang straight down without catching on the sill or radiator.

They are especially effective when the curtain track returns out of the bay and onto the side walls, giving the curtains more room to stack when open.

They can make a bay window feel taller, softer, and more of a feature in the room.

When Shorter Curtains May Be Better

Floor-length curtains are not always the best option.

If you have a radiator under the bay, furniture close to the window, or a layout where the track cannot be positioned far enough forward, shorter curtains may be more practical.

Curtains that stop at the sill or hang just below the sill can still look very neat and well planned.

Still Not Sure Which Finish Is Best?

Start by checking your sill depth, radiator position, and floor level. These three details usually decide whether your curtains should hover above the floor, lightly touch it, or stop shorter.

If you are still unsure which track layout is right for your bay window, our track finder can help point you in the right direction.

Frequently asked questions