The type of window you want to dress and the décor of the room will definitely influence the different curtain lengths in all the rooms of your house. The way curtains are used today differs vastly from the way they were used in the past. At one time, curtains were used to block off the windows at night, but today, they are part of the décor and perform a decorative function. There are also different names for curtains – drapes, sheers, café curtains, valances, etc. sammetsgardiner
Drapes are usually longer curtains that hand from a rod. These usually come to the floor and can be pulled across the window, parted in the middle and tied back or just left hanging on the sides. You can choose to have a valance across the top, which also comes in different lengths. The length you choose depends on the style, whether it has a scalloped edge or is straight across. You can also have a valance attached by Velcro to the headrail, which can actually be made of wood.
Panel curtains are also quite popular. This type of curtain has a hem at the top and another at the bottom. They are usually attached to the rod by hooks or rings and hang in a natural fold giving a very informal look. This type of curtain is also used in conjunction with blinds and shades. Café style curtains consist of a panel across the top of the window and another panel that is on a rod across the middle of the window. These curtains usually extend to the bottom of the window facing.
Many formal living rooms sport balloon valances. These are looped at the bottom and come in variable lengths. With a string in the curtains at intervals, you can pull up the sheer to form loops of varying lengths. The popular style of sheer in windows today is to have the curtain edge come just above the bottom of the window. Many of these curtains have lacy edges that one can see from the outside.