Choose the size of the curtains: width, length, assembly

When choosing curtains, it is important to determine not only the model, color and type of fabric, but also with the size of the cloth, which is sometimes much more difficult. Properly sized curtains are able to emphasize all the advantages of the room, while too wide, long or short can spoil even the most ideal and stylish room. Therefore, before going to the store for curtains or when buying fabric for them, you need to clearly know what size curtains you will need.

We take measurements

Naturally, the process of determining the optimal size of the curtains begins with the necessary measurements. So, the main data that we need to get is the width and length of future curtains, and all other data, such as assembly, etc., are then calculated based on this data.

It is worth noting that taking measurements is already after the cornice has been selected and installed. Cornices are different, can be attached to the wall or ceiling, but in any case, the length of the cornice should exceed the width of the window. If this is a bedroom or another room for rest, you can mount the cornice in general to the entire width of the walls, effectively emphasizing the area of ​​the window. In other rooms, the cornice should be 20-30 cm larger than the window opening so that the curtains can move, freeing up the path to sunlight, the exception is kitchenwhere, as a rule, only translucent hangs curtain, and the length of the cornice is almost the same as the width of the window. Please note that now appeared adjustable cornices: if desired and necessary, they can be made a little shorter or longer.

It is desirable, of course, before taking measurementsalready determine the model of curtains, since the calculation of the length and width of the required fabric will depend on the type of fabric, fixture, number of layers of window decoration.

• Width of curtains can be measured tape measure or soft tape from first mount to last.
• Curtain length is measured from the cornice or from the selected fasteners, such as rings, to the mark you need.

Determine the width of the curtain

So, we measured the distance from the left hook to the right, but the resulting figure does not mean the desired width of the curtain, because in this case it will only hang down with a free canvas. In most cases, you need drapery, but how much it will be magnificent and voluminous, already depends on the nuances of a separate room.

It should be noted in advance that you should be especially careful with drapery:

• So, spacious bedrooms and living rooms only benefit from lush intricate draperythat will give the room lightness and airiness,
• but kitchen area, classrooms etc. better to decorate with curtains with slightly noticeable drapery.
• So, if you need a very light drapery and barely noticeable waves, then the length of the cornice can be multiplied by 1.5 or 2, and choose curtains or fabric for them, taking into account the obtained value.
• If you are welcome more magnificent folds, then the length of the cornice can be easily multiplied by 2.5-3.

Remember that this rule works regardless of how many panels are used to decorate the window - one or two. But in the latter case, another 15 cm is added to the calculated length of the curtains so that the canvases, when closed, can overlap each other, creating a spectacular dimming.

Many years of experience in sewing curtains made it possible to develop exemplary the width of the fabric depending on the length of the cornice. You can use the rule described above, or you can take into account the following data:

• for short eaves less than 1.4 m long (such are often present in kitchens), the width of the curtains will be equal to the length of the cornice. Small windows, as a rule, are found in small rooms in which folds will be inappropriate, which is why curtains or simple curtains are picked up here without draperies;
• with the length of the cornice 1.5-2 m, the curtains are chosen 1.5 times wider than the cornice;
• if the length of the cornice reaches 2-2.8 m, then this value can be easily multiplied by 2 and choose curtains of appropriate width;
• cornice length 2.8-3.4 m you can safely multiply by 2.5, because with such a large window opening, plentiful draperies will look very appropriate and give the necessary lightness;
• at the length of the cornice is 4 m and you need to multiply more by a factor of 2.5-3. The assembly coefficient itself ultimately shows how much the width of the fabric is greater than the length of the cornice.

As a rule, the size of the room and windows is proportional, so such simple tips and calculations will help you determine the right width of the curtains without any problems, so that the room looks neat and comfortable.

Please note that sometimes width of curtains depends on the chosen models. For example, plentiful draperies are appropriate for translucent curtains, but there should be folds on massive dense curtains, but they can already be less voluminous, so you should rely on your own taste, or use verified data on the assembly coefficient for each type of fabric.

So, for curtain fabric this coefficient is 1.7, for a veil and organza with a pattern - 2, and for a thin organza without a pattern - 3.

Lambrequin Width corresponds to the length of the cornice, so if you decide to decorate the window with a similar element, then it will be unnecessary to use any correction factors and carry out additional calculations.

Width of Roman, rolled, Japanese curtains

Separately, it is worth mentioning such types of curtains as roman, rolled, japanese curtains and other similar designs. Rolled and Roman curtains are usually located directly in the window opening, so their width corresponds to the width of the window, measured from glazing bead to glazing bead. Sometimes roller blinds are placed on the wall above the window, then their width should be 10-15 cm greater than the window opening, covering the window completely and going slightly beyond the borders in order to hide the residents as much as possible from the rays of light.

Width jalousie they choose exactly the width of the window opening, and Japanese curtains, consisting of many panels, can go far beyond the window, and can close only the transparent part, without going beyond its borders. It all depends on the design decision and the features of the room, its area, etc.

Determine the length of the curtain

The length of the curtains is an even more important parameter than their width. Here you need to not only measure everything correctly, but also imagine in advance what length of curtains will be more appropriate. The choice depends on the functional purpose of the room, as well as on its features: area, height, lighting, etc. If this room with low ceilings, then long curtains may not be appropriate, with the exception of a translucent tulle with a vertical strip. In the kitchens in most cases, long curtains are also not suitable: they will interfere and clutter up the already predominantly cramped rooms. But if the kitchen is spacious, and there is a lot of free space near the window, there is no stove or sink, the dining area is located, then you can also experiment with curtains on the floor. Premises such as bedroom, children’s and living room, require the use of long curtains that will cover the entire window opening and fall to the floor.

So, when you have decided on where the curtains will end, it is time for the measurements. Measure the length from cornice to floor or to windowsill, or to any necessary point.Please note that you need to think through the system for attaching curtains in advance, and if it is hooks or rings, then you will need to measure the length of the curtains from them, and not from the cornice.

IN living rooms and bedrooms many experts recommend choosing the length of the curtains so that there is still 3-4 cm left to the floor - for reasons of comfort and convenience. If window decoration will consist from several layersthen curtains should be several inches longer than curtainsto completely cover their edge.

Many apartments cannot boast a flat floor or ceiling, in which case it is better to carry out measurements of the length of the curtain on the left, right and in the middleand then use either the average or maximum value depending on the deviation present.

Even if you plan to choose for a room curtains to the floor, it is better to follow the practice of professional seamstresses and measure distance from the cornice to the windowsill and from the windowsill to the floor. When you come to the store and begin to choose a particular model, there is a high probability that you will like cascading curtains, with pickups or other elements. In this case, you will definitely know all the parameters of your window opening.

Pelmet Length it can be anything: it all depends on your preferences and interior features of the room.

If you buy fabric for sewing curtains, then to the obtained data on the length and width you need to add 5 cm, which will be spent on bending and processing.

there is models of curtains that effectively lie on the floor: if you want to hang the same on your own, then add another 20-50 cm to the measured length to form a spectacular wave.

If you want to sew curtains yourself and choose patterned fabric, and curtains, for example, will consist of two parts, then you need to correctly combine the picture. If the ornament is repeating, then you need to measure that part of it, which is constantly duplicated. For example, it will be 70 cm, and we add the result to the final value of the length of the fabric.

Another important point: now widespread artificial fabrics, which are very durable in operation and almost do not sit down during washing, so if you want to sew curtains out of them, you should not do any additional allowances for shrinkage. If the fabric is available over 60% natural fibers, then the likelihood that she will sit a little after washing increases, therefore the fabric in this case is taken with a margin - about 10%.

Calculation Example

When all the necessary measurements have been taken, it is time to calculate the width and length of the curtains or fabric for them. If the obtained width of the window zone is 2 m, and the length is 2.7 m, and you need to purchase curtains and drapes, then you can safely use assembly factor (COP) = 2 and then we get that the width should be 4 m for a given length.

If you want the window to be decorated with original and unique curtains that are not for sale in the store, then you need to buy the necessary amount of fabric for sewing. So, how much fabric for curtains and curtains will be needed for our conditional window?

The standard width of a roll of translucent tulle is 2.8 m, which should be enough for the standard height of the window, so the issue of length remains resolved. As for the width, for a given window width and the selected COP, a fabric of 2 * 2 = 4 m is required. But since it leaves 5 cm for the allowances on the sides, the total amount of fabric will be 4.1 m.

Drapery WidthAs a rule, it is 1.4, 2.8 or 3.0 meters. It is good if the width of the canvas is ideally suited to the length of the window opening, but it may be that the width is insufficient, and then you will have to measure the fabric along and use several paintings to close the window opening. It is important not to forget about the combination of the pattern and the length of the rapport - a repeating element of the ornament. In this case, it is possible to stitch between a particular fabric canvas, or maybe just make curtains in two parts.

The calculation in this case will be like this:

the amount of fabric = ((height of the window opening + allowance) * number of paintings) + rapport * (number of paintings - 1)

If the window width is 2 m and KS = 2, and the width of the fabric in the roll is 1.4 m, then for the manufacture of curtains, for example, you need 3 canvases: 1.4 * 3 = 4.2 m, with a rapport of 0.35 m we get following data:

amount of fabric = ((2.7 + 0.2) * 3) + 0.35 * 2 = 9.4 m

If after cutting fabric and sewing curtains will be stay a lot of fabric, and this can be, when a large pattern was chosen, then from the residues it will be possible to sew hooks for curtains or small pillows on the sofa. When the curtains and some other textiles in the room are made in the same style, this gives a special effect to the room.

The most common curtain models are easy to sew on your own, but if you doubt your professionalism or have decided to decorate the window with a fanciful model, then it is better to resort to the services of specialists.

In conclusion

The length and width of the curtains are important parameters of window decoration, which need to be given no less importance than fabric, pattern and color. A correctly selected size will decorate the room and make it more comfortable, so before you go to the store for ready-made curtains or for cloth for them, you need to take all necessary measurements from the window opening, write them down and already start from them when choosing.