Curtains and Blinds Measuring Guide

Not only does your choice of curtain heading affect the overall look of your curtains but it also can alter the position of where you should take your measurements. We offer a variety of curtain headings ranging from a standard pencil pleat to an intricate triple pinch pleat, the following examples should help you see the differences and explain how to measure for each. You can also use our handy fabric caluclator to work out how much fabris will be required for your curtains.

Pencil Pleat - The most standard and popular of curtain headings is the pencil pleat, this is suitable for both a track and curtain pole. If you are measuring for a pencil pleat heading you will take the width of the track or pole minus any finials. If measuring from a pole the drop measurement will come from the eye of the curtain ring down to your desired finishing length, if measuring from a track it will be from the top of the track to your desired finishing length. Please note we offer both a 3” and 6” (deep pencil) pencil pleat.

Pinch Pleat - (double and triple) - A more decorative, formal curtain heading, this option requires more fabric to be gathered at the top therefore can require more fabric overall. We would recommend hanging these on a curtain pole using curtain rings to really show off the pleating. We would measure these in the same way we would a pencil pleat so the width of your pole or track and the drop from the eye of the curtains rings.

Eyelet - Another classic curtain heading which is still proving to be a popular choice is the eyelet. This type of heading results in a wave style drape and is only suitable for curtain poles. The most standard size of eyelet is 40mm so make sure you have a rough idea of the pole thickness to make sure this would be suitable for you (We can offer a 60mm if necessary). We can offer a variety of metal finishes to suit all poles. When measuring for an eyelet heading you take the width of the pole, minus finials and the drop from the top of the pole (where the eyelet will sit) to your desired finishing length.

Wave - A wave style curtain has become a very popular choice especially within new build houses. You will get a similar drape to an eyelet curtain however without the metal hardware. A wave curtain requires a specialist track and gliders. (Please note we are unable to provide these). When measuring for a wave curtain again it would be the width of your track but for the drop measurement it would be from the bottom of the track to your desired finishing length.

If you are looking for advice on any other curtain headings please feel free to get in touch through the bespoke email address.

Where you want your curtains to finish is ultimately a personal choice but some general advice would be 15cm below a windowsill for short curtains and 1cm above the ground for long curtains. However this can depend on the look you are hoping to achieve. Some people like their curtains to touch the ground and others like a puddle! Bear in mind that eyelet and wave curtains should not touch the ground as this can disrupt the wave effect.

Lining a pair of curtains offers several benefits, it gives the curtain drapes more structure and allows them to sit neatly, it helps block out light and also helps keep out drafts whilst keeping heat in the room.

We offer a standard lining choice in several neutral colours, a black out lining, ideal for bedrooms and south facing rooms and also a bonded lining which combines the benefits of blackout lining with a layer for added warmth. We can also offer fully interlined curtains which require 3 layers, your fabric layer, a layer of wadding and your lining fabric. Interlined curtains result in a much bulkier curtain however they are great at blocking out drafts and keeping your home cosy.

Although curtains are a great option for windows they can also be bulky and take up space in a room, if you are looking to add a splash of colour to your windows without dominating the room then maybe Roman Blinds are a good option for you. Try our handy roman blind fabric calculator to find out how much fabric will be required for your blinds.

There are two options for roman blinds, what we would call recess blinds and outside recess blinds. When contacting Laura for an estimate for roman blinds she will need the exact width and drop of the blinds you require along with your fabric choice and lining requirements.

In recess blinds:

When measuring for blinds to go inside the recess it is important to be as accurate as possible, being out by as little as 1cm can result in a blind which will not fit the space.

A general rule of thumb when measuring for inside recess blinds is to take 3 width measurements from the top, middle and bottom of the recess and pick the smallest measurement, for the drop take 3 measurements from the top to the bottom of the recess and pick the longest measurement.

Outside the recess blinds:

Measuring for blinds outside the recess is a little easier. If you have a windowsill your width measurements will be the width of the sill if you do not have a sill then measure the recess width then add 10cm either side to allow for as much light blocking as possible, (this can be increased or decreased depending on how much room you have around the window). The drop measurement will be from your installation height down to your sill (or bottom of recess if you do not have a sill).

If you decide to go ahead with your roman blind estimate Laura will have a few follow up questions with regards to installation height, control side for the chain and chain colour.

Please note, all we can give is general advice for measuring, if you are submitting your own measurements please note Bluebellgray cannot take responsibility for the final fit of your order. We recommend using our professional measuring service where possible.

Visit us in-store at our flagship store located at 162 Hyndland Road, Glasgow or fill out the form below to start your bespoke journey.