This is a collaborative post: Measuring a room for curtains may seem like a simple task to some, but it’s incredibly important that you get it right. Even just a couple of centimetres of inaccuracy can lead to curtains that look terrible and let light in around the sides.
If you’re reading this article, the chances are that you want to get things just right. To help you measure up your home for curtains like a pro, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind.
Get your tools ready
Before you start measuring, you need to ensure you have the right tools for the job. You’ll need a measuring tape, a pencil or pen, and a notepad or phone to jot down your measurements. It’s also helpful to have a step ladder or stool if your windows are high – if you’re worried about the ladder tipping over, make sure you have someone to hold it stable.
Take your measurements
There are a couple of different measurements you need to take – let’s go through them one by one.
1. Width
Start by measuring the width of the window. If you’re going for inside mount curtains, you’ll want to measure the distance between the internal edges of the window – in other words, where the glass starts. For outside mount curtains, measure from the outer edges of the window framing.
Depending on the style you go with, you may want to extend beyond the window to either side by a few centimetres, but these measurements will help you to get that just right.
2. Length
Next, you can take measurements for the length of the curtains. Again, for inside mount curtains, you’ll want to measure from the top of the glass (the internal edge) down to either the floor or the bottom of the window, depending on how you want the curtains to fall.
For outside mount curtains, you’ll measure from a little higher up – if you’re going to have a curtain rail, you’ll measure from where that will be installe3. Double check
Once you’ve got your measurements, it’s a good idea to take them once more, making sure that everything matches up with your initial numbers. It’s easy to get things wrong by a small margin, but even a small margin can have a big effect on how the curtains look and function.
Making sense of those measurements
That’s the measuring over – now, you just need to decide what to do with those numbers. While some curtain styles will simply match those measurements, a lot of looks will extend a little to the side and to the bottom. Take a look at online retailers like Woodyatt Curtains, choose an aesthetic, and then look into how much you need to add to the numbers in your notebook.
So, there you go – you should now feel fully prepared to go and take your window measurements. It’s really not that difficult, just make sure that you double-check each of your measurements; it might take a couple of minutes extra, but it’s definitely worth it in the long run.