When designing your house, curtains are one of the vital pieces required to complete the whole look. Leaving your window bare will have you missing excellent interior designing opportunities.
The correct curtain measurement for your window should be able to filter sunlight, add warmth and provide privacy to your home.
Besides that, an accurate curtain measurement should add style and beauty to your home. To get the correct curtain measurement, however, you will need to understand how curtains are measured. Are curtains measured length by width?
Curtains are measured by length and width. Length is the distance measured from the rod pocket to the end of the curtain panel. Width measures the side to side of your curtain. For a perfect fitting curtain, you must add extra five inches of the actual window measurements.
The extra length added to the actual measurements ensures that the curtain will extend slightly beyond the door or window. This will cover the opening entirely and provide warmth in your room. Complete cover will also give you the privacy you yearn for.
Before deciding which measurements you should take, there are essential aspects that you should first consider. These will guide you towards getting a good curtain size that will enhance the beauty of your house.
Mounting technique, rod length, and your door or window size will play a significant role in helping you get okay-fitting curtains in your home.
How Is Curtain Length Measured?
Curtain often determines a room’s outlook, and it is essential to measure them correctly to ensure they bring out all the beauty as they should. Window dressing your house with the perfect length curtain brings out the character, style, and warmth to your room.
If you want your curtains to make a statement, consider a curtain pair that is full length and reaches the ground, it may be even better if your curtain is extra-long to paddle on the floor. Curtain puddles on the ground add some sumptuous, luxurious outlook!
Curtain length measures the longest side of your curtain. For most curtains, the distance will be the measurements from the pocket to the very bottom of the panel. The door or window sizes are the primary determinants of how long your curtains should measure. The distance from the pocket to the panel is long for big doors and windows, and they will require a longer curtain.
To get the length size of your curtains, we customarily use measuring tape. Measuring tapes will measure the length in inches, from the top of your door to the panel. These measurements are then recorded and transferred to the curtain to get an accurate size.
Measure the window or door you want to cover from the very top to bottom. The whole curtain length should accord with your preference. You can measure from the sill to the floor or the apron, whichever you desire.
When measuring the length of the windows, most people often make the mistake of taking out the exact measurements from the window to the curtains. When you do that, be sure that your curtain will come out shorter than you had planned. A good measure for the length of your curtain should be slightly more than the actual length of the door or window.
For a suitable length or drop of your curtain, measure and add around 1.5 inches to the actual measures taken. The extra piece will stand for the upstand, the part of the curtain fabric that stands above the curtain rod.
Your style of hanging a curtain will also determine the length of your curtain. Different hanging types require different fabric lengths.
The hanging styles include;
- Eyelet- This hanging style has headings that, on to them, large metal rings are sewn. They are usually threaded straight on a metal pole. This dependent style allows the curtain to hang in long, uniform folds.
- Pencil pleats- this hanging style looks like a pencil. The fabric is gathered together at the top of the curtain. The pleats then become more expansive as you move down.
These different hanging styles will often dictate the length of your curtain.
Standard ready-made curtains are typically sold in lengths of 84 inches, 96 inches, and 108 inches.
If you prefer hanging your curtain in the eyelets style, measure the length from the top of the rod. This allows for the fabric to head above the pole. For weave headings, pinch pleat or pencil pleat, measure from the bottoms on the rings of the bar or top of the track. This will depend on the look you want to achieve.
For a perfect look, consider these length measurements.
Floor-length curtains should hang around one centimeter above the floor. If you have a radiator below your window, your curtain should end at about two to three centimeters above the radiator. This ensures that the curtain fabric does not block the heat.
If you want a sill-length curtain, ensure that its length ends at one centimeter above the sill. Below sill length curtain should reach about fifteen centimeters below the sill.
Measuring the width of your curtain is also another important thing you should consider. The track poles should hang at around fifteen centimeters above the window and be fifteen to twenty centimeters wide of each other.
Standard ready-made curtains come in widths of 44 inches, 66 inches, and 90 inches. To get the exact size that will fit your window, measure the length of the rail on your window. Keep in mind that a good curtain size should be more comprehensive than your window by about 5 inches to 10 inches when fully closed.
Most people make the mistake of measuring the window to determine the size of the curtain they want to buy. Getting the right size will require that you measure the distance between the finials. Getting the correct measurements will guarantee you a nice full gather even when fully closed.
How To Read Curtain Measurements
Reading curtain measurements can be pretty challenging, especially for first-timers. We usually write curtain measurements in a specific order. The most common order of arrangements is the width, then the length.
Curtain sellers will always show the dimension of the curtain, starting with the width of the curtain. In most curtain sellers, both online stores and those with physical premises, you will find the measurements being showed as, let’s say, 66 inches x 108 inches.
Here, the reading of that curtain measurement will be — 66 inches in width and 108 inches.
When you go to a curtain seller, you must keep the measurements of your door or window so that you don’t get an extra big or extra tiny curtain. Keep in mind how the readings of the curtains are read, and if at any moment you are not sure, you must consult the seller or any other knowledgeable person before making a purchase.
Most curtain sellers will also show the measurements of their products either in centimeters, meters, or inches. This can be so confusing, mainly if you are used to a specific measurement. To ensure that you do not make a grave confusion of ordering your curtain in centimeters when you measured your window or door in inches, it is best that you first seek clarification from the sellers. It will help you ensure that the measurements you are getting are the precise measurements that you wanted to have on your window.
Another best way to avoid confusion or get the curtains you did not want would be to visit the shop with your measurements at hand physically. With that, you can quickly look for what you want and even find out that it’s of the correct sizes.
Reading the measurement of the curtain should not bring you problems. People who frequently buy curtains will tell you how easy it is. For first-timers, though, that will be very opposite. Memorizing how the reading is written and differentiating the measurements can be complex for them. With the information in this article, you should be able to get some basics about not only the correct curtain measurements for your home but also some of the best ways you can style your curtain.
Curtains are the focal point to our home décor. If you want to have a catchy and attractive room, be it a living room or bedroom, your curtains must first make a statement. One thing crucial to achieving this is the curtain measurements.
Curtain measurements can make or kill the beauty of your rooms. To make sure your curtain is on point, understand the measures very well. Good measurement will filter sunlight perfectly and allow in what you want in your room. It will also ensure that your room is very covered, maintaining high privacy while keeping it warm.
