Measuring – yes, seems the obvious no 1 mistake and one that “you” would never make. However even the most careful person can make mistakes, by reading from cm’s instead of inches or vice versa, “yes darling I checked it 3 times before writing it down” however you just checked the wrong measurement three times. Hint – get someone to check your measurements and write down width (W) first and length (L) second, drawing it out helps stop stuff ups too.
The next mistake is measuring the windows only, it is fine if you curtains are just going to cover the windows, but you need to allow for a curtain rail/rod to be installed above the window and space for curtains to hang when open so they don’t block the light. Hints – allow around 4 inches at the top for installing rails, more if hanging off rings. On sides allow 8-12” for curtains to hang so sunlight can get in, more if wide windows/doors.
My house is perfect, hmmm… maybe not?!? If you are in a older house or wooden house sometimes not everything is on the straight and narrow. Measure both sides to check everything lines up.
The final mistake is using a cloth or a IKEA measuring tape. Use a metal measuring tape. And err on the side of extra width or length it is better to have a inch too wide curtain, than an annoying gap.
A last hint, if you already have rails/rods installed it is much easier, just measure them. If you don’t make sure you don’t get them the same size as curtains as you need to allow for decorative fixtures at the ends.
Here is a link to a great little measuring guide (not mine but I am putting one together) http://www.naturalcurtaincompany.co.uk/uploads/measuring/ncc_howtomeasure.pdf
Well these are some of the starter mistakes you can make measuring curtains, I will go into more advanced mistakes in future.
The Curtain Guy – real advice for the curtain novice with not too much jargon.
