How to measure Readymade Curtains the right way when using a Rod ?

What is the correct method of measuring the size required for your Readymade Curtain when using a rod to hang Eyelet Curtains?

This sounds Simple, but many of us end up making some error or the other. In this blog, we are going to explain step by step how to take correct measurements of your doors and windows so that you can order the RIGHT size Readymade Curtains. 

1. Always use a metallic measuring tape.
2. Use a Stable Ladder if the height is high (eg above ~8 feet)
3. Make it a point to do this in a twosome.
4. Ensure the tape is straight while measuring.
5. Height Measurement for a Door: Now set the tape on top of the rod and take it all the way down to the floor. Record this measurement in inches. (Special Note: When we hang the eyelet Curtain, due to the inner dia of Eyelets, the curtain rises 1.25” above the rod.)

Scenario 1: You want no gap between the curtain bottom and the floor, Add 1.25” to the measured height.

Scenario 2: You want 0.5” gap between the curtain bottom and the floor, Add 0.75” to the measured height. ARIANA recommends this in general as this ensures minimum light passing from below the curtain and this looks most aesthetic.

Scenario 3: You want 1.0” (or 1.25”) gap between the curtain bottom and the floor, Add 0.25” (or zero) to the measured height. This is the second number recommendation by Ariana as this also takes care of Curtains not getting dirty while sweeping.

Scenario 4: You want 2” gap between the curtain bottom and the floor, Reduce 0.75” to the measured height. Ariana does not recommend going beyond a 2” gap.

• Height measurement of a Window: Where (a) We want the curtain to fall on the window ledge, ideally we should add 1.5” to our measurement. (b) We want the curtain to fall below the window Ledge. We need to safely add 6”-7”  (Reason being, that this will not allow the light to pass even if there is light to medium wind.)
• Width Measurement: Measure left to right the entire rod up to both ends of the brackets. Record this measurement in inches. Add 10” (If you are on a budget, you may decide not to add any inches) to this measurement to ensure that you have created play as when curtains are hung together, they are not cut-to-cut size, this will make light gaps between two curtains. Now the question is how many lengths of Readymade Curtains to order. 

1. 1. When the Width of the Curtain is specified as 48”. Please note that the curtain will invariably be ~ 46” in width ( as most manufacturers use 48” fabric and ~2” goes into the side stitching ). A thumb rule is to use a 50% rule of the specified width as we need to make the pleats too. So Coverage for 48” will be 24”. Max you can stretch (if you are on a budget) is 30”.
   2. When the Width of the Curtain is specified as 54”. Please note that the curtain will invariably be ~ 52” in width ( as most manufacturers use 54” fabric and ~2” goes into the side stitching ). A thumb rule is to use a 50% rule of the specified width as we need to make the pleats too. So Coverage for 54” will be 27”. Max you can stretch (if you are on a budget) is 32”-33”.

So now if your measure is 96”, you add 10” making it 106”. If buying the 48” width Curtain you need to divide 106” by 24” (=4.41). In case we do not add 10” the width is 96” so the number is 4 panels of curtains. Or in other words, if we take 106’ and divide by 4, the result is 26.5” which is in between 24’ and 30”, so this works. So its a bit of trial and error also to arrive at the perfect number.