How To Measure Curtains — The Luxaflex Way

Why measuring curtains is best done by Luxaflex professionals

Accurately measuring curtains can be more complex than it appears, making the expertise of Luxaflex professionals invaluable. We understand the nuances of different window types, ensuring your curtains fit perfectly and function smoothly. With experience in various curtain styles and hardware, we can tackle any challenge, from bay windows to intricate pattern matching. By trusting Luxaflex, you ensure a flawless result, saving time and avoiding costly mistakes.

Here’s why it’s best to leave curtain measurements up to the professionals:

• Precision and accuracy — At Luxaflex, we take precise measurements, considering every detail, such as rod extensions and hardware placement, to ensure your curtains fit perfectly.
• Handling complex windows — Special window types, like bay and corner windows, require meticulous measuring and custom hardware, which we can expertly manage.
• Fullness and drape — Our experts take the hassle out of calculating the ideal fabric fullness and drape for your curtains, ensuring they look lush and elegant when both open and closed.
• Pattern matching — Our professionals have the skills to align repeat patterns seamlessly across multiple panels, ensuring a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing look.
• Custom solutions — We can recommend and install custom hardware solutions, such as flexible or corner rods, to accommodate unique window shapes and ensure smooth curtain operation.
• Time and cost efficiency — By avoiding measurement errors and ensuring a perfect fit from the start, we can save you time and prevent the need for costly adjustments or replacements.

A sneak peek into how to measure curtains with Luxaflex

Taking the right measurements ensures your curtains have the perfect width for gathering and the ideal length to achieve your desired look. Here's a breakdown of how we measure window curtains. 

When determining the width of your curtains, we focus on the curtain rod rather than the window frame itself. This ensures that your curtains will cover the entire window adequately when drawn closed. We measure the length of the rod from one end to the other. If your rod has decorative finials or extends beyond the window frame, we do not include them in the measurement; we focus only on the part of the rod that will support the curtains.

Curtains look best when they have some fullness. Typically, the width of the curtains should be 2 to 2.5 times the width of the rod. This extra fabric allows the curtains to gather and drape nicely when opened, giving a lush, pleated effect. For a more dramatic, fuller appearance, we consider going up to 3 times the rod’s width.

To measure the length of the curtains, we start from the top of the curtain rod down to where you want the curtains to end. This could be:

• Floor length — We measure to the floor for a traditional look. For a slight break or puddle, we add a few extra centimetres to the measurement.
• Sill length — We measure just below the window sill, typically a few centimetres below for privacy.
• Below the sill — If you prefer curtains that fall between the sill and the floor, we measure to your desired length, usually halfway between the sill and the floor.

Different curtain styles can require slightly different measurements, especially at the top where they attach to the rod:

• Tab top and grommet curtains — These types usually require us to measure from the top of the rod because the fabric hangs directly from the rod.
• Pinch pleat curtains — These have a more tailored look and typically hang from rings or hooks that might be attached to a track or pole slightly above the rod. For these, we measure from the bottom of the rings or hooks to ensure the fabric hangs correctly.

How we calculate fabric requirements for curtains

When calculating fabric requirements after measuring, we ensure to include extra material for hemming (the bottom and side seams) and for the heading (the top of the curtains where they attach to the rod). Typically, we add 10–15 centimetres (4–6 inches) for the hem at the bottom of the curtain and about 5 centimetres (2 inches) for each side. For the heading, an additional 10–20 centimetres (4–8 inches) is added depending on the type of curtain header (e.g., rod pocket, tab top, pinch pleat).

If the fabric has a repeat pattern, we align the pattern across all curtain panels. This requires additional fabric to ensure that the design matches up aesthetically when the curtains are made. We calculate the vertical repeat of the pattern and ensure that each panel starts at the same point in the pattern. This may mean purchasing more fabric than the simple height of the window times the number of panels.

To determine the total fabric needed, we follow these steps:

1. Measure the width of the curtain rod and multiply it by the desired fullness (typically 2 to 2.5 times for standard curtains).
2. Divide this total width by the width of the fabric we plan to use to determine the number of panels needed.
3. Multiply the length needed for each panel (including allowances for hems and headings) by the number of panels to get the total length of fabric required.
4. Add extra for pattern repeats if necessary.

Choose Luxaflex for hassle-free curtain measurements and custom solutions

Avoid the hassle of measuring for curtains and let us do the hard work for you. At Luxaflex, we offer a free measure and quote service to ensure your curtains fit perfectly every time. With our service, forget about puzzling over how to measure windows for curtains — our team will handle everything, from assessing your window types to suggesting the best curtain styles for your space. With our professional guidance, you'll find exactly what you need without any of the guesswork.

Ready to transform your home with the perfect curtains? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. If you have more questions about our products or services, visit our FAQs page for more information.