You need to know the measurements of your windows whether you are making the
curtains, buying them off the shelf or placing an order for custom made
curtains.
First you must determine what kind of curtains you would like. You may like
formal floor length drapes or informal tab tops or café curtains.
You must then decide where you want the curtain rod to go. You will likely want
it six inches above the window frame. However, you may want it higher or lower
for affect, perhaps a dramatic look on a tall, deep window inside the frame.
Curtains usually extend about six inches above the window frame. They also
generally extend about two to three inches on either side and two to three
inches on the bottom. You will need to decide how much coverage is right for
your room. You will also want to consider how you want the light to factor into
your room and how much privacy you need the curtains to provide. In the case of
an east facing bedroom window, you may want heavier drapes so that you can sleep
when the sun rises.
Once you have made all of those decisions, you can use a tape measure to measure
from the curtain rod to the desired bottom point, then measure from side to
side. Multiply the width measurement by two to allow for amply full curtains.
Be sure to explain to the sales person or decorator that the measurements are
the desired finished dimensions of the curtains not just the dimensions of the
window. It would still be helpful to provide the measurements of the window to
the sales person or decorator. |
