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How wide of a curtain do i need


How to measure for curtains? custom made curtain size vs window sizes – Loft Curtains

How to measure for curtains? custom made curtain size vs window sizes – Loft Curtains

How wide should curtains be?

To ensure that curtain panels look ample when closed, they should have a combined width that is 2 to 2. 5 times the width of the window/rod. That means if you are ordering Grommet style or Rod-pocket style, the total drapery width should be at least 2 times the window/rod widths. 

French pleat and Tailored pleat style panels have 2:1 to 2.2:1 fullness built-in, so if you are ordering French pleated or Tailored pleat heading style, you should order the panels that fit your window(rod) width. They will cover your window with a nice fullness. 

Ripple fold style curtains have 1.6x to 2.4x fullness built-in, you can order Ripple fold style in the ripple fold custom curtains page. Be sure to enter the coverage width (the track/rod width). 

Exceptions: If you’re hanging curtains just to frame a window and don’t intend to shut them, you can round down to 1.5 times the width. 

Stack Back Width

Stack back is the amount of space the curtains occupy when in the fully open position. We made a stack back calculator for your reference: Click here for the Stack Back Calculator 

How long should curtains be?

There is no right and wrong answer to this question. A rule of thumb is that it is always better to go higher and to go full length, no matter what sizes are your windows. 

Where should curtains tops be?

Tracks look the best when they are mounted directly to the ceiling. They work perfectly with full height curtains. Rods are usually mounted between ceiling and window. If you find it hard to decide where to go. Go with the rule of thirds. 

Where should curtain bottoms be?

All linen fibers stretch over time. We recommend puddling (1"-3") to hide any variance in your finished curtain length.

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02/23/2023

Beautiful high quality curtains!

I am so pleased with my curtains! They are of the highest quality and are just beautiful! Would definitely purchase from you again!

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02/16/2023

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Great. My questions and concerns were answered quickly and everything I ordered was made exactly as I asked. Couldn't be happier.

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02/16/2023

Excellent service and product

This was a very easy process. I had my own tracks, and Justin helped me figure out what lengthen type of curtains I needed. They look great, and I highly recommend these. They are high end and high quality!

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How to Choose the Right Curtain Length

Standard curtains come in three lengths—84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches—but experts say you should opt for longer rather than shorter.

Choosing the right curtain length can make or break a room. Professional designers follow one hard and fast rule in order to achieve the perfect dimensions, says Kati Curtis of Kati Curtis Design. "Your curtains should graze the floor," the interior designer explains. But how do you achieve this? Correctly measuring your window and ordering your fabric is what's most essential to creating a streamlined, finished space.

how to measure curtains illustration

Credit: Kailey Whitman

How to Measure Your Window for Curtains

Making sure your curtains look great in your space starts by measuring them correctly.

Follow the Rule of 10s

There's one specific number you should keep in mind when measuring your curtains: 10. "Typically, 10 is your magic number, with 10 inches above the trim and 10 inches wider than your window on each side being the best fit," says Curtis. "If you don't have that much width, cut it in half and do 4 or 5 inches instead." And if you're working with higher ceilings, use those to determine your curtain placement: "Your curtain rod or hardware should either be at the ceiling, just below your crown molding, or 12 to 24 inches above the window trim," she says.

Always Field Measure

Curtis also recommends taking several measurements from the planned top of your curtain to the floor. "Always field measure," she says. "Most homes have floors and ceilings that aren't anywhere close to being level, so it's important to take multiple measurements along the width of your curtains so that they can be fabricated to adjust for this."

How to Buy Standard Length Curtains

Standard curtains come in three lengths—84 inches, 96 inches, or 108 inches. "Generally, you want to stay away from the 84 inch standard curtains unless you have very low ceilings. They don't look right in most scenarios and end up being an awkward length," says Curtis.

The 96 inch and 108 inch lengths work in a wider range of typical spaces. Round to whichever length is closest to your measurements, Curtis suggests.  "And when in doubt, err on the side of longer rather than awkwardly short," she says. That rule stands even if your curtains will land behind a piece of furniture: "I never try to fake it," says Curtis. "You'll be able to tell as the curtains won't have as much physical and visual weight to them."

Consider Custom Curtains

While you might be able to make a case for standard curtains in a room you plan to redo—like your kids' rooms or a soon-to-be-renovated office—Curtis encourages custom curtains over standard lengths in every situation.

Work With a Designer

A designer can make sure your curtains are exactly the right length, even if your floor isn't level; help you choose a print or pattern that works best for the size of your curtains and your space; and leave you with a polished finished product that's worth the extra cost. "I recommend always working with a designer to make sure the scale and pattern works with the scale of the curtain and everything else you have going on in the room," says Curtis. "Window treatments can be a tremendous investment for your home, and not something you want to make a mistake on."

Work With a Tailor

Asking a local tailor to hem pre-made curtains according to your measurements is a budget-friendly way to get a custom look, but working with a professional designer has more benefits. "People generally have no idea what goes into making window treatments or the investment they can be," says Curtis.

How to correctly calculate the tulle for a window in width and length

A window decorated with beautiful assemblies and folds is pure mathematics. Because without it, it is easy to make a mistake with the size of curtains and curtains and buy extra material - by the way, often not cheap. Therefore, we suggest that you be patient and read this article on how to calculate the width of the tulle.

Curtains and tulle are often sold in ready-made pieces, on which loops and decor are sewn. Only such cuts of fabrics are suitable for standard windows. And if you need to arrange a French window to the floor on the terrace? Or the curtains have long been asking for an arched window in the kitchen? Or do you want to change the curtains in the hall of your country house? Everything is real, and in this case, individual tailoring will come to the rescue. And here the fiery designer is replaced by a cold mathematician - you need to calculate how much material is needed for curtains in length and width.

We will tell you in order how to accurately calculate the width of the tulle, depending on various factors.

Along the eaves

The width of the tulle depends on the length of the cornice - so first decide on its parameters. On average, the cornice should protrude on both sides of the window by 15 centimeters to the left and right. There are also non-standard windows - for example, too narrow on wide walls and vice versa. In this case, the length of the cornice can be reduced or increased - 5-7 centimeters is a perfectly acceptable figure. The length of the resulting cornice is the minimum width of your curtains when unfolded.

An approximate calculation looks like this: standard windows are 3 meters wide, and the minimum canvas width should be 4.5 meters - if the figure is less, the window will not look the best. The maximum footage is 9 meters, this width looks luxurious, but according to some, it is too pretentious. So we recommend choosing the middle option.

Web arrangement type

To calculate how much tulle is needed, you need to know how it will be located along the window - hang freely over its entire area or gather in two folds along the edges of the window. If you are considering the classic first option for pleating the tulle, then the length of the cornice must be multiplied by 1.5. The second option is more democratic and implies freedom of creativity - it all depends on how lush the folds of your curtains will be.

In order to choose the right tulle in size, you need to imagine exactly how the curtains will be located - how many folds they will have, how lush they will be. There is even such a concept - the coefficient of splendor, which determines how many folds the curtain will have.

There are three levels of this ratio:

Material and purpose of curtains

Thick curtains that block sunlight usually cover the entire window, so their width is equal to the length of the cornice, plus 20 centimeters are added on both sides for freedom of action and the possibility of complete closure.

The thicker the curtains, the less folds should be - otherwise they will block the light even when the curtains are open. Yes, and such heavy folds look not the best way. But if tulle or organza is chosen as the curtain fabric, there should be more folds - this will not overload the window, on the contrary, it will add lightness and grace to the whole room.


Window shape

With standard windows it is easier - but with windows of an unusual geometric shape, you will have to tinker. For a corner window or a bay window, you need to add 10 centimeters for each bend and corner.


Mounting method

The amount of tulle and the collection factor also depend on the method of fastening the curtains. For example, for eyelets - plastic or metal rings, which are often used for balcony windows, it is better to take twice as much material as the length of the cornice. In this case, the folds will turn out noble and lush. If the material is heavy, light and durable eyelets will easily cope with its movement along the entire length of the eaves.

The most popular way to attach curtains is with hinges. The material is attached to the bar using textile loops or special ties - it looks concise and versatile. For such fasteners, it is enough to choose fabrics 1.5 times larger than the length of the cornice. More frequent and smaller fastenings will provide small and neat folds.

Tape type

The width of the material for curtains also depends on the type of braid - a tape that creates even folds over the entire surface of the curtain.

To choose the width of the tulle, pay attention to the packaging of the braid - the curtain tape usually indicates the gathering factor that it gives. The universal indicator is 2.5, it is suitable for all types of curtains and their materials.

The main thing - do not rush into the choice. Take a closer look at the selected material, look at interior photos featuring such curtains, select the desired drapery option - and go to the store! Experienced consultants will help you with this difficult math.

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