Discover everything you need to know about buying made to measure curtains.
Our made to measure curtains are the perfect way to personalise your home. With over 250 fabrics, three heading options and four lining preferences to choose from, you can find a pair to suit any interior. In this handy guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to help you choose the right pair of curtains for your space.
From fabrics and patterns to headers and lining types, there’s lots to consider!
Jump to:
fabric.
pattern.
length.
heading.
lining.
how it works at furn.com
fabric.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics for made to measure curtains. It’s lightweight and versatile, with a wide range of patterns available. It’s perfect for a wide range of styles, from traditional and rustic through to maximalist and contemporary.
Polycotton
Polycotton has all the benefits of cotton, except it’s a bit more hard-wearing. It’s easy to wash, making it perfect for kids’ rooms and busy households.
Velvet
Ideal for a luxury style home, velvet curtains are heavier than cotton and polycotton. It comes in a range of colours and finishes, from opulent crushed velvet to a subtle velvet lustre.
Printed
Printed fabric is where the design is printed on top of the fabric (as opposed to being woven in through threads). This means that they can have a wide range of beautiful colours in a precise pattern.
Woven
Woven fabric is where the design is created through the weave of the fabric. It’s strong and durable, making it ideal for busy households.
Embroidered
Embroidered fabric is where the detail or pattern is added on after the fabric has been created, with thread and needlework. It adds a real luxe feel to your room.
pattern.
Plain
A plain set of made to measure curtains is a timeless investment. They’re easy to style, and you can reuse them in a number of décor schemes as you redecorate over time. Worried a plain curtain might be boring? Go for a contrasting colour to your colour scheme and they’ll really pop.
Patterned
Patterned curtains can add personality to pared back décor in an instant. From bright and bold to subtle and sophisticated, there are loads of patterns to choose from.
- Florals are perfect for country and traditional styles, but the right floral pattern can work well in scandi and modern spaces too.
- Abstract patterns are patterns that don’t really resemble anything that you can recognise, making them ideal for minimalist spaces.
- Geometric patterns are designs that use shapes to create their pattern. Usually angular, they work perfectly in luxury and contemporary styles.
- Stripes are relatively formal, making it the perfect pattern for traditional and luxe spaces. They can help ceilings look taller too.
If your room gets lots of light, go for neutral or light colours as they’ll keep their colour for longest (sunlight will fade bolder colours quicker!).
length.
Short
Short curtains are first and foremost, the practical option. They generally end just above or just below the windowsill, so you can open and close them without hinderance from furniture or radiators. The length is great for those with kids and pets, as they’ll be out of reach of sticky fingers.
Long
Long curtains kiss the floor or end just above it, giving your room a polished look. They are the standard for most rooms, so if you’re asking yourself, “should my curtains go to the floor?” The answer is yes! If you’re going for long curtains, you might want to pair with tie backs.
Pooled
Pooled curtains fall onto the floor, creating a ‘pool’ or ‘puddle’ (depending on the amount) of fabric at the bottom of your curtain. They make a room feel relaxed, informal and unfussy - perfect if you don’t have kids or pets. To create a pool, add 10-20cm on to the floor length of your curtains.
From the ceiling
Looking to create the illusion of height in your chosen room? Then hang your curtains from the top of the ceiling. This will add drama, as well as draw the eye upwards.
heading.
Pencil Pleat
Pencil pleat curtains are one of the most popular header options. Made using tightly gathered folds of curtain fabric, they have neat and uniformed pleats that look like a line of pencils... hence the name! You can even adjust them to your preferred pleat size.
The beautiful drapes created by the gathered fabric provide a classy and traditional look – perfect for cottages, country houses and rustic styles. They look perfect at any length, from resting on the window sill to pooling on the floor.
Pencil pleat headers are suitable for both poles and tracks. If you are using a pole, you will need curtain rings to fit them.
Pinch Pleat
Pinch pleat curtains are highly decorative. They feature tightly gathered bunches of pleats with gaps between them at the top of the curtain. They differ from pencil pleat curtains as the pinch pleats are permanently sewn in and cannot be changed, making them easy to fit.
The pinch pleats create full folds in the curtain itself, offering an elegant and opulent look. They are ideal if you’re creating a blackout room, particularly if you use a track. Because of the pleat, it can distort the pattern on your chosen fabric – especially if you’re going for stripes.
We offer a double pinch pleat and a triple pinch pleat to choose from - the only difference being the number of pleats in the pinch.
Similar to pencil pleats, they can be used on a pole or track. If you are using a pole, you will need curtain rings to fit them.
Eyelet
Eyelet curtains, also known as 'ring top' curtains are a modern alternative to traditional pleated curtains. The metal eyelet rings are sewn into the fabric of the curtain itself, which are then threaded onto a curtain pole or rod, which gives the curtains larger, contemporary pleats.
Not only are eyelet curtains easy to fit, but they are considered a more practical choice as they open and close smoothly. As they are so durable and easy to use, we recommend eyelet curtains for children's bedrooms, but they’re perfect for any room in a busy household.
An eyelet header is for use on curtains poles only. Our eyelet curtains are made using 40mm eyelet holes, which we recommend for poles up to 28mm in diameter to ensure easy movement along the pole. We have a range of seven premium eyelet colours, ranging from chrome to antique brass.
lining.
Thermal Blackout
Looking for complete darkness when you go to sleep? Thermal Blackout curtains should be your pick. Our Thermal Blackout curtains are made with ‘3 pass’ curtain lining. It starts with a layer of foam, which is coated twice with an opaque membrane – it means that not a spec of light will pass through.
Perfect for light sleepers, shift workers and children, blackout lining helps you create an incredible sleep sanctuary in any room.
The ‘3 pass’ process gives the curtain lining thermal properties too, which means that blackout curtains will block heat transfer too. They’ll keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer – helping you to reduce your energy bills too.
Want more information? Check out our blackout curtain buying guide.
Bonded Interlining
Bonded interlining is a padded lining stitched to the reverse of your fabric. It provides another layer to your curtain, making it thicker and heavier. Your pleats will look fuller and more rounded. The extra layer also reduces light and heat transfer, making it great for those who want some room darkening properties but don't want 100% blackout.
Cotton Sateen
A cotton sateen lining is a popular choice for made to measure curtains. It has a luxurious look and a smooth feel, but it’s practical too. It’ll help protect your curtains from sun bleaching, keeping them looking fresh and colourful for longer.
Cotton sateen is tightly woven, so it’s smooth and has great structure. This means that it’s durable and practically wipe clean – perfect for kids’ rooms and busy households. It’s even crease resistant!
Unlined
This option means that there is no lining, with the reverse of your curtain just being the back of the fabric. Perfect if you don't need any room darkening qualities.
Layer your curtains with a blind for a cosy feel. Pair pattern with pattern for a bold look, or go for soft, tonal neutrals for a timeless look.
how it works at furn.com.
At furn.com, you can order your made to measure curtains completely online. There’s no need to wait for an appointment – you can get samples, get a quote and even order your new curtains in just a few clicks! So, how does it work?
Get your free samples
You can get up to five free samples on our website – simply browse our made to measure curtains, click into the designs that you like and add the free sample to your bag.
They’ll soon be on the way to you, where you can touch the fabric, see the detail in the pattern and decide which one works best in your space.
Measure up
When you’ve decided which curtain is the one for you, then it’s time to measure your window.
We’ve got a variety of handy guides to help you measure for curtains depending on your header type.
Made to Measure Measuring Guide: Pencil Pleat
Made to Measure Measuring Guide: Pinch Pleat
Made to Measure Measuring Guide: Eyelet
Put your order in
You’ve got your measurements, and you’ve made your decisions about fabric, pattern, headers and lining. All you need to do now is to head to furn.com to place your order! Simply input your measurements, select your header type and choose whether you want your new curtains to be blackout.
Then, simply add to bag and checkout. Your order has now gone to our factory where they will start making your bespoke curtains. You’ll receive your new window dressings within two to 10 working days!
Fit your made to measure curtains
All that’s left is to fit your new curtains! The way that they’re fitted will vary according to your header type, but luckily we have a curtain fitting guide to help you.
Once they’re up, take a look at how much they’ve transformed the room (taking a picture for social media? Don’t forget to tag us @hellofurn).
