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How to Take Window Measurements for Curtains: & Costly Mistakes to Avoid
By Fabrich Curtains & Decor | Kochi’s Trusted Curtain & Decor Specialists
How to Take Window Measurements for Curtains
You’ve finally found the perfect curtain fabric — the colour is just right, the texture feels luxurious, and it complements your home’s interior beautifully. But when the curtains arrive and get installed, they’re either too short, too narrow, or bunched up awkwardly around the window frame. Sound familiar?
This is one of the most common and entirely avoidable mistakes homeowners make. How to Take Window Measurements for Curtains, before buying curtains is the single most important step in achieving that polished, professional look you see in interior design magazines. Whether you’re updating a living room in Kakkanad or renovating a flat in Edappally, this guide walks you through exactly how to measure your windows for perfectly draped curtains — every single time.
Why Accurate Window Measurements Matter
Curtains aren’t just decorative pieces — they define the proportions of a room. Hung too low, they make ceilings feel shorter. Hung too narrow, they make windows look smaller and cramped. Measured correctly, curtains can visually expand a space, add height, and create a seamless, elegant frame around your windows.
Beyond aesthetics, precise measurements ensure proper light control and privacy. In Kerala’s tropical climate — where strong afternoon sun and heavy monsoon rains are a seasonal reality — the right curtain placement becomes even more functional. A curtain that doesn’t fully cover your window leaves gaps that let in glare, heat, and unwanted views.
Before you explore our curtain collection or consider window blinds for a different look, here’s everything you need to know about getting your window measurements right.
Tools You’ll Need Before You Start
Don’t rely on guesswork or old measurements. Before you begin, gather:
- A steel measuring tape (fabric tapes can stretch and give inaccurate readings)
- A pencil and notepad (or your phone’s notes app)
- A step ladder for taller windows
- A helper if your windows are large or if you’re measuring floor-to-ceiling drops
Measure each window individually — even windows that look identical in the same room can vary slightly due to uneven walls or different installation heights.
Understanding the Two Approaches: Inside Mount vs. Outside Mount
Before you take a single measurement, you need to decide how you want your curtains to hang. This affects everything else.
Inside Mount
Inside mount means the curtain rod is installed inside the window frame, within the recess. This gives a clean, tailored look and works well for windows with a deep enough recess (typically 7–10 cm or more). It’s a popular choice for minimalist and contemporary interiors.
Outside Mount
Outside mount means the rod is installed on the wall above and beyond the window frame. This is by far the more common choice for draping curtains because it allows the fabric to hang freely, makes windows appear larger, and provides better light blockage at the edges. For most homes in Kochi — whether an apartment in Kakkanad or a villa in Aluva — outside mount is the recommended approach.
This guide focuses primarily on outside mount measurements, as this is the standard for draped curtain installations.
Step 1: Measure the Width of Your Window
Start with the width. For an outside mount installation, you’re not measuring just the glass — you’re measuring how wide you want your curtain coverage to be.
How to measure: Place your measuring tape on the outer edge of the window trim or frame (or wherever you plan to mount the rod brackets). Extend it to the opposite outer edge of the trim.
Add the overhang: For curtains to hang properly and cover the window fully without letting light in from the sides, you need to extend the rod beyond the window frame on each side. A standard overhang is 15 to 20 cm per side. This means if your window frame is 120 cm wide, your rod should span at least 150 to 160 cm.
Curtain panel width: Each curtain panel should be 1.5x to 2x the width of one half of your rod span to create a full, gathered look when open. A flat, unpleated panel with no fullness tends to look cheap and stiff. For a luxurious drape, err on the side of more fabric.
Pro Tip from Fabrich: For windows wider than 180 cm, consider using three panels instead of two, or adding a center holdback to manage the volume of fabric effectively.
Step 2: Measure the Height / Drop of Your Curtains
This is where most people make critical errors. The “drop” refers to how long your curtains will be — from the top of the rod to the floor (or to wherever you want the curtain to end).
Decide where the rod will be mounted: The higher you mount the rod, the taller your room will feel. A commonly recommended placement is 10 to 15 cm above the window frame, or as high as halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling for a dramatic, floor-to-ceiling effect. In homes with standard 10-foot ceilings — common in newer Kochi apartments — mounting the rod close to the ceiling creates an impressive sense of height.
Measure from the rod position to the floor: Use your measuring tape from the point where you plan to mount the rod (or from the ring/hook position if you’re using eyelet or pinch-pleat curtains) straight down to the floor.
Choose your curtain length style:
- Just above the floor (1–2 cm gap): The most practical and common option for everyday rooms. Easy to open and close without the fabric dragging.
- Puddle length (5–20 cm extra): Fabric pools luxuriously on the floor. Highly elegant, best for formal dining rooms or bedrooms where curtains are rarely moved.
- Floating (15–20 cm above floor): Used mainly for cafe curtains, kitchen windows, or areas where hygiene is a concern.
For most living rooms and bedrooms in Kerala homes, a just-above-the-floor length is practical and beautiful. If you’re opting for custom upholstery and coordinated soft furnishings, a puddle-length curtain in the formal areas can create a wonderfully cohesive, curated look.
Step 3: Account for Heading Style and Curtain Hardware
Different curtain heading styles affect your final measurements. This is something many first-time buyers overlook.
- Eyelet/Ring-top curtains: The rod passes through metal rings sewn into the top of the panel. Measure from the top of the ring to the floor.
- Pencil pleat curtains: Measure from the hook position (which sits roughly 2–3 cm below the top of the tape) to the floor.
- Tab top curtains: Measure from the top of the rod to the floor, then subtract the loop length (usually 5–8 cm).
- Rod pocket (cased heading): Measure from where the rod sits inside the pocket to the floor.
Always confirm the header style with your curtain supplier before finalising your measurements. At Fabrich Curtains & Decor, our team helps you factor in every hardware variable so your finished product hangs exactly as intended.
Step 4: Measure for Bay Windows and Irregular Windows
Bay windows, arched windows, and corner windows require a slightly different approach.
Bay Windows: Measure each panel of the bay separately — the left-facing wall, the centre panel facing outward, and the right-facing wall. Note the angle between each section. Most bay windows use separate rods for each section that are joined at the corners with angled connectors.
French Doors: Curtains on French doors need to clear the door handle when pulled back. Use holdbacks or tiebacks and ensure the rod extends far enough on each side so the open panel doesn’t block the door.
Arched Windows: For arched or Palladian windows, the curtain usually covers just the rectangular lower section, with the arch left exposed to let in light. Measure only the rectangular area, not the arch.
Step 5: Note Down All Measurements — Room by Room
Once you’ve completed measuring, create a simple room-by-room log. Include:
- Window name/location (e.g., “Master Bedroom – Left Window”)
- Rod span width (including overhang)
- Curtain drop (rod position to floor)
- Header style you’ve chosen
- Number of panels needed
- Any special notes (bay window, French door, deep recess, etc.)
This log becomes your shopping brief. Bring it with you when you visit a curtain showroom or share it when placing a custom order online.
Common Measurement Mistakes to Avoid
1. Measuring only the glass pane: The glass is just the starting point. Always measure to include the frame, the overhang, and the full drop to the floor.
2. Measuring too little width: Skimping on width creates flat, thin panels that look skimpy when open and fail to block light properly when closed. Always use 1.5x–2x fullness.
3. Not accounting for the heading: Forget to subtract or add for the header style, and your curtains could end up 5–8 cm too short or too long.
4. Measuring once and buying immediately: Measure twice (or three times). Mistakes in fabric cutting are permanent and expensive.
5. Using the same measurements for all windows: Even in the same room, windows can vary. Measure every window individually.
When to Call in the Experts
If all of this sounds overwhelming — especially for a home with multiple windows, a large open-plan living area, or non-standard window shapes — it’s absolutely worth getting a professional measurement done.
At Fabrich Curtains & Decor, located at the Ground Floor, Oberon Mall, Padivattom, Edappally, Kochi, our design and installation team offers in-home measurement consultations across Kochi and Ernakulam. We take the guesswork out of the process entirely, ensuring your curtains are measured, fabricated, and installed to a flawless finish.
📍 Visit Us: Gr. Floor, Oberon Mall, Padivattom, Edappally, Ernakulam, Kerala 682024 | Call or WhatsApp: 077369 54442 | Find Us on Google Maps: Get Directions
Whether you’re looking for flowing sheer curtains, blackout panels, tailored window blinds, or a fully coordinated soft furnishing package that includes upholstery, our team is here to help you make the right choice for your home.
Final Thoughts
Taking accurate window measurements is the foundation of any successful curtain installation. It’s a simple process when broken down into steps — but one that deserves your full attention. Measure for width with generous overhangs, decide your drop based on where you want to mount the rod, account for your heading style, and document every window individually.
Get these numbers right, and you’ll step into a room that feels beautifully put together — where the curtains hang with intention, frame your windows perfectly, and transform the entire atmosphere of the space.
Ready to bring your window treatment vision to life? Explore our curtain collections or stop by the Fabrich showroom in Oberon Mall, Edappally, and let our experts guide you from measurement to installation.
