Curtains are an important finishing touch to any room and can make or break a space. It’s important to understand how to correctly measure your window for curtains to ensure they look great and hang beautifully.
Most professional designers agree that your curtains should graze the floor to create a polished and finished space. Follow our step-by-step curtain measuring guide to achieve this.
Window Width
Curtains and drapes can make a huge difference in the look of your window. They block light, create privacy, and add a polished aesthetic to the room. However, determining the right curtain width can be difficult. Generally, curtains should be wider than your window to achieve a full appearance when hanging. To calculate the width of your curtain, start by measuring the distance from one side of the frame to the other. Then, multiply that number by x1.5 to x2. This will give you the curtain width you need to ensure your curtains have a beautiful hang.
Once you have your curtain width, you can begin to select the style you want for your space. For example, you might choose a puddle style that pools slightly on the floor, or you may prefer to have your curtains sit straight across the bottom of the window. These choices will affect the length you need your curtains to be, which will also determine the rod height you need to measure.
Typically, you will want to have your curtains hung about 4-6 inches above the top of your window for standard installation. You can also have them hung higher if you would like to create the illusion of a larger window. For more information on these options, check out our post on how to properly hang your curtains.
If you are ordering custom curtains, you will need to know how wide your window is so they can be made to fit your window perfectly. The best way to do this is to use a metal tape measure and make sure to leave at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) on each side if you are placing the rod over the window frame, or add 3-5 inches (6-8 cm) if you are mounting the rod below the trim.
For outside mounts, the curtain rod should be 15-20 cm / 6-8 inches longer than the window to avoid covering any hardware or windowsill. It is also important to remember that the final curtain width will be a little larger than this measurement because of how your drapes will hang (adding extra fabric to the sides). This is why it is so important to have an accurate window size when purchasing made-to-measure curtains.
Window Height
It’s also important to consider how high you want your curtains to hang from the window. This will affect how they look and whether or not you can see the floor outside the window. For example, if you want your curtains to fall past the sill, this will create a fuller effect and show off the pattern or texture of the fabric.
To determine the correct curtain length, measure from the eye of your rod down to the floor where you want your curtains to end. This is called the drop measurement and it will help you work out how much material you need to order. The length of the rod will be added on to this to get the total curtain length.
If you are purchasing ready made curtains, they may already have the recommended drop measurements on the product page. This will save you time and effort!
Aim to have the bottom of your curtains finish a few inches below the sill for a classic style. However, you can go further up to the ceiling if you prefer. This will make the room feel taller and more spacious.
You will need to add on some allowance for the’stack back’, which is the extra fabric that gathers at the side of your curtains when they are open. This will be influenced by the fabric choice and the width of your windows. Heavier fabrics require more stack back than lighter fabrics.
Usually, the curtains should be one-third of the window’s width to achieve a fuller effect. You should use a metal tape measure ruler for accurate measurements, rather than cloth or vinyl tape measures, as these can stretch and distort your measurements.
If you’re not sure how to measure for your curtains, it’s best to ask a professional. This will give you an accurate and precise measurement and ensure your curtains fit perfectly. A professional can also offer expert advice on different styles of curtains and advise you on the best option for your home. So, if you’re looking for new curtains in Perth, don’t hesitate to contact your local curtain shop!
Curtain Length
Choosing the right curtain length can make or break a room’s look. But no amount of Pinterest research, online shopping or design hacks will help if your curtains are the wrong length! That’s why it’s important to understand what the standard curtain lengths are and how they relate to your home. This handy curtain measuring guide will teach you all about the basic rules of curtain lengths so you can easily determine the correct length for your windows.
The first thing to consider is whether you want your curtains to sit at the sill, graze the floor or fall just above it. Once you know which option is best for your home, you can measure the window height from this point.
To measure the window width, simply use a ruler or tape measure to record the length from one side of the frame to the other. You can also mark a spot on the wall where you would like your curtain to hang, and then use this as your guide. Regardless of which measurement you choose, it’s important to add an extra 6 to 12 inches to the total so that your curtains have enough fabric to fully cover your window frame and create a full, elegant look.
Typically, your curtain will be wider than your window, so the next step is to figure out how long you want them to be. If you’re purchasing ready-made curtains, most products will have a Size Calculator button on their product page, which will give you an accurate suggestion of what size to order. Custom-made draperies may require a more precise calculation as they can be made to your exact specifications.
When determining your curtain length, you’ll need to decide how high above the window you want them to sit. Sill length curtains should finish about a half inch above the window sill for the best appearance, while below-sill length curtains will hang 4-6 inches below the window sill. If you’re planning on installing an outside mount rod, we recommend choosing a length that will hang about 3 inches higher than the bottom of the window frame to ensure the curtains aren’t too short when they’re open or closed.
Curtain Width
The curtain or drape width determines how full the curtains look when they’re hanging. It is important to measure this correctly, too, or your curtains won’t hang the way you want them to. Typically, you’ll want to make sure the width of your curtain is two or three times the width of the window. This will provide a full appearance, and it will also give you plenty of privacy and light control.
To find the curtain width, you’ll need to measure from one side of the window casing to the other. You’ll then need to add a few inches to this measurement for the allowances and so that you can order your curtains at an appropriate length.
It’s also worth measuring the height of your curtain rod or track to work out what the final curtain length will be. If you decide on floor-length pencil pleat curtains, for example, we recommend adding a few inches to your window height to ensure they’re long enough. If you’re opting for a modest puddle, add 5 to 8 inches, while if you want them to brush the floor then add 10 or more.
The exact amount you’ll need to add on top of this will depend on your preferred style. For eyelet or tab curtains, you’ll need to multiply this by two, while if you’re choosing a sheer fabric you may want to triple the width to ensure there’s ample fullness.
Once you’ve worked out the width of your curtains, it’s time to consider lining options. Lining helps to protect your fabrics from sunlight, while it also gives your curtains a fuller, more luxurious appearance and can help insulate the room too. There are several different linings available, from lightweight satin linings that filter light to thermal liners that help insulate the room and keep heat in.
Wrap Up:
For the best results, always use a steel tape measure (more accurate than a fabric one) to take your measurements and double check them against our guidelines. You’ll also need a ladder, a step stool or chair and somewhere to record your measurements.
