The Definitive Guide to Buying New Curtains - Readymade or Made to Measure?

There are three ways you can go about getting new curtains. You can make your own, have made to measure designer curtains or buy ready made curtains.

Ready made curtains are the most convenient and cost effective choice. Making your own curtains can take a long time and you still have to buy the material, threads, lining and have access to a sewing machine. If you make a mistake you have to start all over again which is both costly and annoying.

Made to measure designer curtains can be a good option but they tend to be expensive as they are made to suit your individual requirements. If you have a very unusual window shape then you may have no option but to have made to measure designer curtains as it is unlikely that you will find a ready made curtain to fit your window. However, most windows are a standard shape so you should be able to find ready made curtains that will fit your window.

One problem with designer curtains is that you don't get to see the curtains before they are finished, at which point you have to pay for them. You can see what ready made curtains look like before you buy them and you can also return them to most retailers, providing they are in the condition you received them in, if you do not like them when you receive them.

Ready made curtains are also available straight away, you do not have to wait for weeks or even months for them to be ordered and made. Ready made curtains are professionally made in advance and are designed to be easily put up in your home. So you can update your room quickly and for minimal cost.

Before you Choose your Curtains

You will need to think about which room you want your new curtains for and what functions you want the curtains to provide. Different rooms require different types of curtains. Some will be functional and others may be for aesthetic purposes. For instance in a bedroom the curtains you choose will need to protect your privacy and keep out the light. Whereas it is not necessary for curtains in your kitchen to keep out the light and you may not even need to close them, instead they may be there to dress the room and look good.

You can choose to hang your curtains from a curtain pole or a rail, depending on the look you are going for. There are a wide variety of curtain poles to choose from. Wooden curtain poles give a more traditional look, while metal poles offer a more contemporary finish. Curtain poles are designed so that you can see the pole when the curtains are open or closed.

Curtain rails are designed so that you do not see the rail when the curtains are closed. The curtains are hung on runners. If you choose to hang your curtains from a rail you can also opt for a matching valance that will cover the rail when the curtains are open, they also add a more luxurious feel to the room.

A valance is a framework which sits on top of the curtain rail and frames the window. Valances are generally covered using the same material as your curtains. They come in many different shapes and sizes, just a few of the options are; swagged valances, ruffles, scalloped edges, layered valances, the list goes on and on. If you do want a valance then check to see what styles each retailer offers.

It is advisable to use a metal tape measure to measure for your new curtains as they give the most accurate results and are less likely to sag. You must take the measurements for your new curtains very carefully to ensure that they fit the window and hang well.

If you are going to hang your curtains from a pole then you will need to start your measurement from the bottom of the ring attached to the pole. If you are using a track to hang your new curtains then you will need to measure from where the track starts.

Check out our Measuring Guide for more details

You will need to decide what length you would like your new curtains to be. You may want floor length curtains, or you may want shorter curtains ending just below the window sill.

Floor length curtains look good in many rooms and can add a touch of opulence to a room. You may want your floor length curtains to skim the floor or you may want longer curtains that ‘pool’ at the bottom and create a more opulent look.

If you opt for shorter curtains you will need to ensure that your measurements include a couple of inches longer than where you window sill finishes to endure they hang properly and effectively block out the light.

Either way you will need to make sure you measure the length correctly to suit the style you are looking for.

You will want your new curtains to look full and to overlap slightly when they are drawn. When measuring for the width of your curtains you should order at least double the width of the curtain pole or rail to ensure your curtains are full and hang well.

There are many different styles of curtain headings and pleating. The different styles offer different ways for your curtains to gather at the top and affect how they fall.

Pencil pleat is the simplest type of pleating and also the most widely available. The pleats are gathered together closely using pencil pleat heading tape at the top of the curtains. This gives a uniform gathering to the top of the curtains and creates a full and even look.

Triple pleat headings are gathered more tightly than pencil pleat headings and so more fabric is needed to create these curtains. This type of heading gives an even fuller look to your curtains.

Eyelet headings are a very simple design and are hung from a pole. These give a very contemporary look and you are able to see the pole in between each eyelet.

Tab top headings are also hung from a pole, and you are able to see the pole between each tab. The tabs are made from the same fabric as your curtains and provide an informal look.

There are many other varieties of curtain headings and pleating, the most elaborate styles are usually only available if you are opting for made to measure designer curtains as they tend to be more difficult to make and are not as popular as the standard widely available curtains headings and pleating detailed above.  

Once you have chosen the type of curtains you would like you can start to think about any optional extras you may like to include. For instance you may want to have black out curtain lining incorporated into your bedroom curtains to keep out strong sunlight.

You can often also buy matching tie backs to hold your curtains open in a smart and elegant way. If you want your tie backs to match the fabric of your curtains it is advisable to buy them at the same time that you buy your curtains.

You may also want to consider whether you want machine washable curtains or dry clean only curtains. This is more of a consideration for light coloured curtains as they tend to show any dirt or smudges more readily.

It is worthwhile looking for ready made curtains online as there as so many excellent deals available. New curtains can be an easy and cost effective way to update your home. When you are buying new curtains look for coordinating accessories such as cushion covers, tie backs and bed linen which can really tie your look together and give your home that finishing touch.