"How to measure for curtains and shades and get it right!"

Learning how to measure can be a funny old business. Most times it's best to fit your curtain hardware first. Then measure for curtains second.

This allows you to change your mind about where you fit your curtain hardware.

If your curtains are made before your stuck, move your hardware and the curtains are either to long or to short. Don't make life any harder than it has to be.

BIG TIPS FOR YOU
Use a wide blade steel tape measure it will make your life so much easier.
Also have someone else help you, this is for two reasons. first your friend can hold the tape measure while you reel it out. This especially good when measuring wide windows and when measuring your curtain drop. If you are measuring to the floor you can get down on your hands and knees and get a good look at the measurement.

The second reason is for a sanity check you can swap places and have your friend measure up as well. Like the old carpenters saying goes measure twice cut once.

So where to start measuring for curtains. That all depends on the style of curtains your measuring for.

Below are quick links to examples of different situations you are likely to come across when you measure for curtains.

• Measuring for curtains on a curtain track
• Measuring for curtains on a curtain rod
• Measuring for grommet top curtains
• Measuring for a blind or shade in a window recess (video)
• Measuring for a blind or shade outside a window recess (video)

Measure for curtains on a track

Basic rule of thumb, fit your curtain track at least 4 inches over your window recess or window frame. Assuming there is room, it will look better. I ussually fit my curtain track at 5 or 6 inches over the top of the window frame.

Then hook your steel tape measure on the top edge of the track. Then measure down to where you want your curtains to finish. Maybe to just go past the window sill or a few inches past the window sill. Alternatively down to the floor. This gives you the finished curtain drop.

The width of the track is the width of the window recess or frame plus 5 or 6 inches past both sides. This allows your curtain to stack of the window to give maximum light. Occasionally go a little wider if your curtains are made of thick fabric or have heavy blackout lining.

Measure for curtains hanging from a rod or pole

General rule of thumb, you want to fit your pole halfway between the ceiling and the window recess or frame. This gives the best look and can make a short window look taller. This is assuming you have the room to do this.

At the very least you should be fitting your rod or pole at least 5 inches over the window recess. If you have a lot of wall over your window then I would not fit the curtain rod higher than 8 or 9 inches over your window frame. It would start to look a bit odd higher than this.

All curtain hung on a curtain rod or curtain pole hang under the rod from the curtain rings for the best look. Measure from the bottom of the curtain rings down to where you want your curtain to finish.

Maybe to just sit to the window sill or a few inches past the window sill. Alternatively down to the floor (my favorite). This gives you the finished curtain drop.

The width of the curtain rod or pole is the width of the window recess or frame plus 5 or 6 inches past both sides. This allows your curtain to stack of the window to give maximum light.Occasionally go a little wider if your curtains are made of thick fabric or have heavy blackout lining.

Measure for grommet top curtains also known as eyelet curtains or ring top curtains on a curtain rod or pole

Very modern and contemporary window treatment that is super easy way to hang your curtains.

This way of hanging curtains requires NO curtain rings. Your curtain has round openings spaced at intervals across the top of your curtain. The rod is threaded through these.

To measure for curtains first fit the rod. Then measure from the top edge of the rod down to where your want your curtains to finish

Maybe to just sit clear of the window sill or a few inches past the window sill. Alternatively down to the floor. This gives you the finished curtain drop.

Then you need to add1 1/2 inches on to allow for the curtain upstand. This is the fabric that sits over the top of openings in the top of your curtains. This curtain style sits higher on the curtain rod than most other styles.

The width of the curtain rod or curtain pole is the width of the window recess or frame plus 5 or 6inches past both sides. This allows your curtain to stack off the window to give maximum light. Occasionally go a little wider if your curtains are made of thick fabric or have heavy blackout lining.

How to measure correctly for a blind or shade in a window recess

How to measure correctly for a blind or shade outside a window recess

So What do you need ?