Your Ultimate Curtain Measuring Guide

Measuring windows for curtains might seem straightforward, but accuracy is key to achieving a perfect fit and enhancing your home décor. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, ensuring your curtains hang beautifully and function flawlessly.

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1. Determine Curtain Rod Placement

Proper rod placement is crucial for both aesthetics and functionality. It can influence how much light enters the room and the perceived size of your window.

• Width Measurement: Begin by measuring the width of your window from side to side. Include any existing trim in this measurement. To make your window appear larger and maximize light when curtains are open, extend the curtain rod beyond the window frame. Add 16 to 24 inches to your window width measurement. Select a rod that extends to this determined total width.

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• Height Measurement: Decide where to mount your curtain rod vertically. For standard 8-foot ceilings, mounting the rod close to the ceiling is a common practice. If your room features crown molding, position the rod just below it. In rooms with high ceilings, consider mounting the rod 12 to 14 inches above the window’s top edge. This higher placement can create an illusion of even taller windows and a grander space.

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2. Measure Curtain Width

Accurately measuring curtain width ensures proper fullness and coverage when your curtains are drawn.

• Window Width: Start by measuring the exact width of the window itself, including any trim.
• Rod Extension: Remember the extra inches you added to the rod length in step one? Incorporate this extension into your curtain width calculation. Add the extended rod space to the window width measurement.
• Desired Fullness: Consider how you want your curtains to look when fully closed. For a gathered, luxurious appearance, choose curtain panels that are wider than your calculated width. The general rule is to have a curtain width that is at least two times the width of your window. If you prefer a more streamlined, flat look when closed, select curtains that match your determined width more closely. Wider panels will ensure that even when closed, the curtains maintain folds and texture, enhancing the window’s aesthetic.

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Tip

For wide windows or glass doors, using multiple curtain panels (more than two) is advisable. This approach offers greater flexibility in managing light and provides a wider selection of curtain styles and designs.

3. Choose a Curtain Break

The “curtain break” refers to how your curtains will fall and rest in relation to the floor. This choice is largely based on personal style and the formality of the room.

• Kiss: Curtains that “kiss” the floor barely touch it, creating a clean, tailored look. For this style, the curtain length should be precisely the distance from the rod to the floor.
• Float: Floating curtains hang slightly above the floor, typically by about 3/8 to 1/2 inch. This style is practical, preventing curtains from dragging and is easy to achieve by subtracting the desired amount from the rod-to-floor measurement.
• Puddle: Puddling curtains are intentionally longer, pooling on the floor for a dramatic and luxurious effect. A standard puddle adds 6 to 16 inches or more to the curtain length, depending on the desired level of pooling. Puddling is often seen as a more formal and opulent style.
• Break Puddle: A break puddle is a subtle puddle, where curtains just slightly break or fold at the floor. Adding 1/2 to 1 inch to the length measurement usually achieves this relaxed yet elegant look, making it one of the most popular choices.

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Warning

While puddle curtains add elegance, they can pose a tripping hazard, particularly for children and elderly individuals. Consider this safety aspect when choosing your curtain break style.

4. Measure Curtain Length

The final step in our Curtain Measuring Guide is determining the precise curtain length. Generally, you measure from the top of the curtain rod down to your desired break point. However, curtain header styles can influence this measurement.

• Grommets: For grommet curtains, measure from the top of the grommet to your desired length above the floor.
• Tabs: For tab top curtains, measure from the top of the tab to the desired length above the floor.
• Rod Pocket: With rod pocket curtains, the pocket itself adds to the length, so measure from the top of the rod straight down to your desired length. No additional length calculation is needed.
• Pleat Curtains: Measure from the underside of the rings that attach to the pleats (and hang from the rod) down to your desired length.

Common Curtain Measurements

If you have standard window sizes, you can often utilize common curtain lengths. Standard curtain lengths widely available include 63 inches, 84 inches, 96 inches, 108 inches, and 120 inches. Shorter lengths are typically used for café curtains or kitchen curtains above the sink. In the U.S., the standard width for a single curtain panel is 48 inches, though smaller widths like 24 and 36 inches are also common.

Tips for Styling Curtains

Beyond just measuring, consider these styling tips to enhance your window treatments:

• Fullness: Using extra panels than minimally required will create a fuller, more luxurious look, especially for wider windows.
• Texture and Pattern: Experiment with mixing and matching curtain patterns and fabrics to add depth and visual interest to your décor.
• Sheer Layers: Incorporate sheer curtains as a base layer. They provide subtle privacy while allowing natural light to filter through, and can be paired with heavier curtains for versatility.
• Mounting Style: Decide between inside mount (within the window frame) and outside mount (outside the frame). Inside mounts offer a cleaner look, while outside mounts can make windows appear larger.
• Hardware Finishes: Choose metallic finishes for curtain rods, brackets, rings, and tiebacks to add a touch of sophistication and coordinate with your room’s hardware and accents.

FAQ on Curtain Measurement

• How wide should curtains be for a window?
  As a general guideline, curtain width should be at least double the width of your window to ensure adequate fullness and proper draping.
• Should curtain width be per panel or per pair?
  Curtain width measurements typically refer to the width of a single panel. Even when curtains are sold in pairs, the stated width is for each individual panel.
• Is it better for curtains to be too long or too short?
  Generally, it’s preferable for curtains to be slightly too long rather than too short. Extra length can visually elongate the room and create a more elegant feel. However, shorter curtains can work if their bottom edge aligns with another horizontal element in the room, such as a windowsill or baseboard top, creating a deliberate design choice.