How to Measure Your Windows | Bell's Ethan Allen Design Center
How to Measure Your Windows for Custom Drapery
Custom drapery is a wonderful way to elevate your home decor, elegantly accenting furniture and other design elements with beautiful, flowing fabrics. The right drapes can frame your windows for the perfect view, but if they're not installed or measured properly, they can suddenly make everything look crooked and off-kilter. Precise measurement is crucial for properly fitting drapes, so if you’re wondering how to measure windows for drapery, how high above the window to hang your drapery rod, or other similar questions like that, we’re here to provide the answers that you need.
Determining Rod Placement
Before you can even start to think about how long you want your drapery panels to be, you have to figure out where exactly they are going to hang from. The same length of fabric can pool on the floor or not even reach it, depending on where it is hung from. A general guideline for drapery rod placement is to place it 4-6 inches above the top edge of the window frame. That range is a reliable starting point for anyone unsure of how high above window to hang rod brackets for a balanced look. Going higher can make for a more dramatic effect and make a room seem larger, so don’t be afraid to consider mounting your drapery hardware closer to the ceiling.
As for how wide you want your drapery rod to be, the typical width is 4-8 inches beyond the window frame on either side. This prevents your windows from looking cramped and gives enough space for your window treatments to rest against the wall when pulled back, keeping them entirely out of the way of the window.
Finding the Right Fabrics with Carole Fabrics™
Having established where your drapery rod is, the next step is to find the right fabrics for your custom drapery and decide on a length. There are a few categories that drapery falls into, depending on its style. Hover or floating drapes have the fabric extend to just above the floor, maintaining a slight gap of ¼ to ½ inch. Kissing or floor touch, as the name implies, has the fabric just touch the floor. There is also a break style where the fabric drops a few extra inches onto the floor for a slight bend, and then there is puddle length, where 4-6 inches or more of extra fabric pools on the floor for a dramatic look.
Regardless of which style you choose, if you’re looking for drapery fabrics with unparalleled selection and design, there is no better choice than Carole Fabrics™. Featuring exclusive patterns and an expansive portfolio, you’ll be able to find something to perfectly accent your home’s interior.
Get Free In-Home Measurements and Expert Installation
If you’re finding yourself overly worried about making a mistake when measuring for your drapes or curtains, then let the experts here at Bell’s Ethan Allen Design Center take care of it. Our expert team has decades of experience and can ensure your new drapery looks right the first time. Contact us today to schedule an in-home design consultation. Rest assured, you won't have to worry about how to measure your windows for drapery or how high you need to hang drapery hardware—we’ve got you covered!
Bell’s Ethan Allen Design Center proudly serves Newburgh, Fishkill, Warwick, Middletown, New Paltz, Wappingers Falls, Rhinebeck, Monroe, Tuxedo, Washingtonville, Poughkeepsie, Orange County, Dutchess County, and Ulster County, NY.