When measuring for a roman blind firstly you have to decide whether you want the blind to sit inside the window recess, outside on the window frame or just above it.
There are a few factors to consider when making this decision:
Do you have curtains up? How deep is the window recess? Is the window deep enough to have a recess blind? (a depth of at least 10cm is best here) Do the windows open inwards?
Top Tip – Always use a steel tape measure and measure in centimetres for the most accuracy.
Blinds outside the recess
For blinds sitting outside the window recess measure the width of the recess and then add on an additional 5-10cm or so, so that the blind overlaps the window. This is all really a matter of your own taste as to how far over the window you would like your blind to sit.
Next measure the drop of your recess, again adding extra allowance for the blind to sit above the window and hang a little below the recess. Usually this would be an additional 20cm or so in total.
Blinds inside the recess
For blinds that are to be fitted inside the recess, measure your width and drop in 3 different places.
For the width measure at the top, centre and bottom, and use the smallest size. For the drop measure the left, centre and right, and again use the smallest size.
You are using the smallest size to allow for any unevenness in the window.
To allow the blind to move smoothly up and down subtract a further 1cm from the width. This subtraction of 1cm is to allow for the actual blind fittings and to ensure that the blind can move freely without any hindrance.
I hope that’s helpful - if you have any other blind or curtain related questions just pop in-store to see me at our Fabric Superstore, 30 Clyde Place (opposite the Riverboat Casino) Glasgow, I’m always happy to help :)