Whether you intend to go to a professional or you want to create your own window decoration it is always a good thing to first take measurements on your own. This will help you to choose the type of hardware that should be considered and how to position your curtains.
Measuring windows is not only measuring the window itself but to consider what is around the window as well. For example, is there a heater underneath or near the window? a deep window sill? an electrical switch or outlet? a molding around the window recess?
The drawing below shows you different measurements you should take. This is mostly intended to be used for curtains but could also be used for blinds which would be fixed on the ceiling or above the window on the lintel.
f & g
Besides the main window measurements, f and or g measurements will be essential for deciding on the positioning of the curtain hardware. You don’t want curtains the lay on the window sill nor on the heater!
a
- If you don’t have any window sill or heater or anything that needs to be considered under the window, then position the hardware at least about 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.15 inches) from the wall. If you plan on having sheers and curtains the sheers should then be at this distance. Between sheers and curtains a minimum distance of 4 to 6 cm should be taken into account.
- If you see that the f or g measurement extends more than 3 cm into the room, then add 6 cm (2.4 inches) to the most predominant point.
- Once you identify the position from the wall then take the measurements i and k. If you live in an old house there can be significant differences between the floor and the ceiling, at the wall and even 10 cm into the room.
- If you want to place a curtain rod directly at the ceiling and you want the rod to go from the left to the right wall then you should measure the distance exactly at the juncture of the wall/ceiling.
j
If you want to place the rod with wall supports and if the lintel above the window is approximately 30 to 50 cm (11.8 to 19.6 inches), measure j and place the rod 1/3 of this distancefrom the ceiling.
b & d
if b and d are different measurements and the rod goes from wall to wall and you want the curtains the close exactly at the middle of the windows, then you’d better measure both of these!
e
Curtains can be a good way to hide an electrical switch. If you want the curtains to hide the switch, make sure the curtain rod extends about 5cm wider than the switch area. Make sure as well that the other side of the rod is about the same distance from the window recess!
i & k
If the window is particularly large and /or if you live in an old house, you should measure both sides since they rarely have the same measurements.
h
If, in a certain situation, you want the curtains to stop just above the window sill, then subtract h from I or k (use the shortest distance)
CONCLUSION
This drawing shows a very classic and relatively easy window position,but it can often be that your situation is much more challenging that this one. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any question about window decoration.