Adding curtains to your windows is a great way to tie together the look of a room, as well as keep your interior warm and cosy. And there are many styles to choose from, including floor-length to create a glamorous feel and pencil pleat curtains that will suit many window designs.

In this month’s article, we’re going to look at how to choose the right ones for your space and how to take accurate measurements. Read on to find out more.

Where is the curtain being put up?

The style and type of curtains that you choose for your home will firstly depend on the room they will be hung in, the size of your windows, and the style of the rest of the space.

If you are choosing curtains for a nursery, for example, you may want to consider a blackout layer to ensure your little one sleeps soundly during the summer months, when the sun rises earlier.

If your curtains are going to be hung from floor-to-ceiling windows or patio doors, consider the thickness of the curtain material. As this is a large window area, you will want to keep the heat in during the colder months. Good quality lined curtains will make your home more energy-efficient by reducing heat loss.

When deciding on colour and pattern, consider the style and tones of the rest of your room to create a cohesive theme. And most importantly choose ones that you like, as they are likely to stay in your room for a long time.

What is the width?

Before you begin taking any measurements, first fit your curtain track or pole above the window where the curtains will hang.

If you are fitting a new track or pole, a good guide for positioning is:

• 15cm (6 inches) above the window top
• 15-20cm (6-8 inches) either side of the window edges

Pencil pleat curtains can be hung from a curtain track or curtain pole however, if you opt for a pole you will need to use curtain rings.

Next, measure the total width of the track/pole excluding any decorative parts at each end. This applies when measuring for eyelet curtains or pencil pleat curtains.

What is the height?

The next step is to take measurements for the height (length) of your curtains.

Eyelet curtains

Measure from the top of the curtain pole to where you want the curtains to drop to.

Pencil pleat curtains

When measuring from a curtain pole, begin measuring from the bottom of the eye (the small metal ring at the bottom of each curtain ring) to where you want your curtains to drop to.

When measuring from a curtain track, begin measuring from the top of the track to where you want your curtains to drop to.

Below are some examples of where you may want your curtains to drop to and how to measure for this:

  • measure to the bottom of the window ledge and add 2-4 inches
  • measure to the top of the radiator and add 2 inches
  • measure to 1 inch above the floor.

Custom curtains

If you would rather have your curtains custom-made than buying ready-made curtains, take your measurements as detailed above. Discuss this with your chosen supplier and they will be able to determine which size of curtains you need.

Ready-made curtains

There are a wide variety of ready-made curtains available at affordable prices. Simply take your measurements as detailed above and select the size you need at your chosen retailer. If you’re unsure, discuss this with the sales team in-store or email them to make sure you select the right size.

We hope that you will find this a useful guide to selecting the right curtains for your home. If you would like any advice on a good match with windows that we have fitted or are due to fit for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.