How to measure windows for curtains or blinds
Wednesday, 24 November 2010 3:59 PM
It might sound simple but this can be a tricky business. Make sure you get it right with Anthony Hill's step-by-step guide.
If you're planning to buy or have made a new pair of curtains, it's very important to have the correct measurements – and the same goes for blinds.
Some of the guidance may seem like common sense, but without taking those few short minutes to properly measure up, ill-fitting window dressings could easily spoil the overall look and feel of an otherwise perfect room.
All you will need is a basic metal tape measure – a fabric one is less likely to give accurate readings – and something to write your numbers on.
Measuring for blinds
Start by deciding whether you want them to hang within the recess of the window or outside, hanging right over the edges of the wall opening.
For a blind to sit within the recess, measure the space's inside width at the top, middle and bottom. The measurements may differ slightly, but you should always go with the narrowest to ensure a perfect fit.
If you're looking for a blind to cover the entire recess, you'll need to account for the overlap on each side of the window. An extra 50mm at either end is usually enough.
To measure for length, simply go from where you want the blind to start to where you want it to finish – simple.
Measuring for curtains
Curtains will almost always be placed outside the recess, so the same window-measuring process should be followed as with the blinds guide.
However, you will need to buy a greater width of curtain than the actual width of the window. This is partly to allow for the fabric covering the entire length of the pole, which will be wider than the window itself (this helps to prevent light sneaking around the edges of the curtain), and partly to allow some natural gathering and fullness in the curtains (unless you want them to be stretched out flat, which will let more light through and is quite an unusual look).
Allow around 1.5-2 times extra width, according to how flat or gathered you want your curtains to look.
Length is much more important when it comes to measuring windows for curtains. As a rough guide, drapes should either finish around 15mm above the sill (if you want them to fit within a recessed space) or 15cm below it. Full-length curtains should end around 15mm above the ground.
