Measuring for window dressing

Measuring for window dressing

Follow our guide to measuring windows then click here for Ready Made options or go to Made to order curtains and blinds.

When ordering, please specify clearly whether the measurements you provide are in centimetres or inches.

Curtains

Curtains

Before taking any measurements, select and fix your curtain pole or track. in general, it should extend 15cm on either side of the window frame to allow the curtains to be pulled back during the day. For ease and to ensure accuracy, it is best to measure with another person. Always use a metal tape measure, as a fabric or plastic tape may stretch, and double check all measurements.

Width
  • Measure the track or pole, not the window.
  • For tracks: measure the width from end to end (fig 1). If the track overlaps in the middle, measure each track and combine the dimensions for an overall width (fig 2).
  • For poles: measure the width between the decorative finials (fig 3).
Fig 1, fig 2, fig 3. Length

Measure from

  • For tracks: measure from the top of the track so that it will be hidden by the curtains (fig 4).
Fig 4.
  • For poles: measure from the bottom of the curtain ring so that the pole will be seen above the curtains (fig 5). For eyelet curtains, measure from the top of the pole and add 4cm.
Fig 5.

Measure to

  • For tracks and poles: measure to 1cm above the sill for sill length; to the required length for below-sill length; and 1cm above the floor for floor length (fig 6).
Fig 6.

Pelmets

Pelmets

You can have a pelmet only if you have curtain track. It will not work if you have a pole.

Width
  • Measure the distance from the wall to the front of the pelmet track (a), double it and add it to the width of the pelmet track (b) (fig 7).
Fig 7.
Drop
  • The ideal drop for a straight pelmet (fig 8) is one sixth of the overall length of the curtains but can be anything from 25cm to 36cm.
Fig 8.
  • We offer shaped pelmets in 2 choices (fig 9): centre length 28cm and side length 40cm or centre length 30cm and side length 51cm.
Fig 9.

Roman Blinds

Roman Blinds

Blinds can sit either inside or outside a window recess. Before taking measurements, you must decide which option you want.

inside window recess

inside window recess.

outside window recess

outside window recess.

Inside a window recess

Make sure that the recess is not obstructed in any way and is at least 7.5cm deep to accommodate the operating mechanism.

  • Measure the length from the top to the bottom of the recess (a-b).
  • Measure the width of the recess (c-d). Reduce the width measurement by 1.5cm to allow the blind to fit in the recess.

Outside a window recess

Decide how far you want the fabric to overlap the recess. this is generally a minimum of 5cm on all sides.

  • Measure the length from the top to the bottom of the window plus the overlap (e-f).
  • Measure the width plus the overlap (g-h).

When decorating your room, it's crucial to make the right measurements to ensure that your window dressings fit perfectly when they are installed. With our measuring system you no longer need to worry, as combined with our made-to-order curtains and blinds, we can cater to windows of any shape and size.

We require a variety of measurements to ensure that your window dressings are exactly the right proportions, but once you've made those we'll do the rest. In no time at all, you'll have the perfect curtains or blinds for your room, as straightforward or as complex in design as you like, all with our wide range of 400 different options.

Follow our guide to measuring windows then click here for Ready Made options or go to Made to Order curtains and blinds.

When ordering, please specify clearly whether your measurements are in centimetres or inches.