Tips for Ordering Custom Curtains

Ordering custom curtains is simple, but it rewards a little preparation. Because every panel is made to your exact measurements, the few minutes you spend before ordering decide how the curtains look for years. These tips cover the whole process, from first measurement to final check.

Measure with a steel tape

Use a steel tape measure. Cloth tapes stretch and give inaccurate readings, and a stretched reading becomes a curtain that does not fit. Have a step ladder ready if your rod is high, and write every number down in inches.

Decide the rod position first

Curtain length depends entirely on where the rod sits. Mounting the rod several inches above the window frame, or closer to the ceiling, makes the window look taller, but it also changes the drop. Choose the rod position before you measure the length, not after.

Think in coverage width, not glass width

Measure the full width of the window frame, then add a few inches on each side so the curtains extend past it. The total is your coverage width, and it is the number to plan around. Curtains that only span the glass look under-sized and leak light at the edges when they are closed.

Order enough fullness

Fullness is how much wider the fabric is than the space it covers, and it is what separates luxurious curtains from flat ones. Aim for 1.5 to 2 times fullness: multiply your coverage width by 1.5 or 2, then divide by the number of panels to get the width of each panel. Satin drapes beautifully in that range.

Use exact inches

Enter whole inches or half inches, and never round to the nearest foot. A few inches of rounding error is clearly visible once the curtains are hung. Measure twice before you submit anything.

The full measuring walkthrough is in our measuring guide. It takes about five minutes and covers width, length, and fullness step by step.

Order swatches before committing

Screens render color differently, and a fabric that looks right on your phone can read differently in your room's light. If you are deciding between colors, request swatches through our Contact page and look at them in the actual room, at different times of day. With 22 colors to choose from, it is worth seeing your shortlist in person.

Watch the live price as you adjust

Custom pricing depends on panel size, so you never need to guess what your choices cost. The configurator shows a live price for your exact width, length, and number of panels as you enter them. Change a dimension and the price updates, so you can see what each adjustment costs before you commit.

Double-check before you order

Made-to-measure means made for you. Every panel is cut and sewn to your specifications, which is why all sales are final. If an order arrives damaged or defective, it will be replaced, but a measuring error is yours to keep. Read our returns policy so you know exactly where you stand, then re-check your numbers one last time.

The good news: shipping is free on every order, so the price you see in the configurator is the price you pay. Get the measurements right and the rest takes care of itself.