[JahJahBinks]

I started putting curtains behind my windows yesterday and I have a few questions. I noticed the brackets I bought put the curtain pole about 4 inches off the wall, however there are also curtain poles that only extend about 2 inches off the wall. Since I will not have sheer or valance I was wondering if I installed the wrong size because I went to Bed Bath & Beyond today and i saw they have valance+drap combo and drap+sheer combo and in the first one the valance is hung on the pole with longer bracket and in the second one the drap is on the longer bracket but it is also got sheer behind it. I just want to know if it's only a matter of personal taste or not regarding the size difference.

My second question is where to install holdbacks. Is there a traditional dimension relative to windows or it is fine so as long as I keep them aesthetically appealing? Thanks for answering my noobi questions.