Choosing the right curtain length and opacity transforms a room’s atmosphere and practical comfort. This guide focuses on measuring, fabric choices, and installation details for windows and doors.
Accurate measures and appropriate opacity choices resolve most common decorating dilemmas at home. Read the concise takeaways below that appear under the heading A retenir :
A retenir :
- Height measurement, rod placement, hem allowance, eyelet compensation
- Width calculation, side overlap, rod overhang, full coverage
- Material opacity choice, from sheer voiles to blackout insulating curtains
- Retailer comparison, Ikea Leroy Merlin Castorama Heytens Saint Maclou
Measuring curtain length and width for perfect fit
Building on the takeaways, precise measurement prevents visual and functional issues later. Measure both height and width carefully to ensure harmonious proportions and full coverage. This section prepares practical steps that lead to fabric and opacity choices later.
Height measurement: rod to floor and hem allowance
This subsection explains exact height measurements and effects on appearance. Measure from planned rod position to the finished floor, noting irregularities. Allow additional fabric when you prefer a slight pooling effect or for heavy hems.
Height measurement checklist:
- Measure at three points for accuracy
- Consider curtain header type and eyelet depth
- Account for floor coverings and thresholds
- Note final hem allowance before order
Standard size
Typical room
Recommended header
135×260 cm
Bedrooms and small living rooms
Eyelet or pencil pleat
135×300 cm
High-ceiling living rooms
Pencil pleat or rod-pocket
140×260 cm
Bedrooms and medium windows
Eyelet or tab top
180×270 cm
Large bay windows or tall doors
Full pleat or eyelet
« I measured twice and chose longer panels, the room felt taller and more balanced after hanging them »
Marion N.
Width measurement: fullness and rod overhang
Width determines curtain fullness and coverage when panels are drawn closed. Measure window span and add recommended overhang to allow full opening without obstruction. This prepares selection of panel counts and fabric width for the next section.
Width calculation notes:
- Measure full rod length accurately
- Add 15 to 20 cm each side for stacking space
- Multiply fabric width by 1.5 to 2 for desired fullness
- Choose number of panels according to fabric repeat and pattern
Header type
Typical overhang effect
Fullness multiplier
Eyelet
Modern, even folds
1.5–2
Pencil pleat
Classic, tighter folds
2–2.5
Rod pocket
Soft gathered look
1.8–2
Tab top
Casual, visible top tabs
1.5–1.8
Watch practical demonstrations to visualize measuring techniques and fullness choices. The video demonstrates measuring points, allowance decisions, and common installation pitfalls. It helps prepare the fabric and lining decisions that follow.
Accurate sizing leads directly to fabric selection and opacity decisions that follow in the next section. Small measurement errors compound when ordering ready-made panels, especially from mass retailers. According to Castorama, many customers prefer ready-made solutions for small windows.
Choosing curtain opacity and fabric for light and privacy control
After precise sizing, opacity and fabric determine daylight, privacy, and insulation performance. This section reviews opacity categories and lining options before recommending suitable rooms. Understanding materials here will inform installation and retailer choices discussed later.
Opacity levels explained: sheer, dim-out, blackout
This subsection maps opacity levels to functions such as filtering, dimming, or full blackout. Sheers allow daylight while preserving daytime privacy, blackout offers full darkness for bedrooms. According to IKEA, many ready-made voiles and blackout ranges cover common needs in 2025.
Opacity selection tips:
- Use sheers for living rooms and layered looks
- Choose dim-out for controlled daylight without full darkness
- Prefer blackout for bedrooms and media rooms for sleep quality
- Add thermal lining for colder climates and energy savings
Opacity type
Light control
Privacy
Recommended rooms
Sheer
High daylight transmission
Low privacy at night
Living rooms, kitchens
Dim-out
Reduced glare, soft light
Medium privacy
Dining rooms, lounges
Blackout
Minimal light penetration
High privacy
Bedrooms, nurseries
Semi-opaque
Balanced light control
Moderate privacy
Home offices, studies
« The blackout curtains made our baby sleep longer during daytime naps, they were transformative »
Emma N.
Fabric choices and linings for thermal and acoustic benefits
Fabric weight and lining affect drape, thermal performance, and sound absorption significantly. Heavy woven fabrics and thermal linings improve insulation and reduce room echo in practical terms. According to Leroy Merlin, modern linings provide measurable thermal and acoustic gains in many product ranges.
Lining benefits list:
- Thermal retention for colder rooms and energy savings
- Improved privacy and enhanced darkness at night
- Added weight for better drape and visual fall
- Noise dampening for rooms facing busy streets
Fabric type
Typical weight
Insulation benefit
Best use
Linen
Light
Low thermal gain
Breathable living areas
Cotton
Medium
Moderate insulation
Bedrooms, kitchens
Velvet
Heavy
High thermal and acoustic
Formal living rooms, bedrooms
Polyester blackout
Heavy
High blackout and insulation
Nurseries, media rooms
Explore demonstrations on lining installation and fabric choices to see practical outcomes. The video explains lining attachment, weight considerations, and fabric swatch selection. It helps decide whether to add thermal or acoustic layers to panels.
Choosing the right lining often resolves insulation and privacy issues without major renovations. Specialist services like Heytens or Le Marché du Rideau can offer tailored linings when needed. This leads to the final phase about installation and where to buy panels.
Installation and styling: rod height, pooling, and retail options
Once fabric and opacity are decided, correct rod height and hardware determine final look and functionality. This section guides mounting height, pooling styles, and where to purchase or customize panels. Those choices will influence the fitting services and retailer selection described below.
Rod placement, eyelets, and curtain length styles
This subsection describes mounting heights and common length finishes from sill to puddle. Mounting the rod 10 to 15 cm above the frame visually increases perceived ceiling height and light. Eyelet depth and header type influence where the curtain will fall relative to the floor.
Installation quick tips:
- Fix rod higher to enlarge space visually
- Allow 15 to 20 cm overhang each side for stacking
- Choose header compatible with rod style and weights
- Check eyelet depth before finalizing panel length
Style
Visual effect
Best use
Sill length
Neat and practical
Kitchens, bathrooms
Below-sill
Casual, tidy
Bedrooms, studies
Floor-touch
Elegant, tailored
Living rooms, master bedrooms
Puddle
Luxurious and dramatic
Formal rooms and high ceilings
« I raised the rod and the living room felt more spacious immediately, a small fix with big impact »
Lucas N.
Where to buy: ready-made versus made-to-measure and retailer comparisons
Choosing where to buy depends on budget, customization needs, and available services from retailers. Compare Ikea, Leroy Merlin, Castorama, Saint Maclou, Heytens, Madura, and Alinéa on fit options and service. According to Saint Maclou, premium upholstery and custom fitting remain popular for complex windows.
Retailer comparison notes:
- Ikea for affordable ready-made panels and simple hardware
- Heytens and Le Marché du Rideau for made-to-measure expertise
- Leroy Merlin and Castorama for hardware and budget-friendly panels
- Saint Maclou and Madura for premium fabrics and fitting services
Retailer
Typical offering
Customization
Service
Ikea
Ready-made panels and rails
Limited
Self-install guidance
Leroy Merlin
Panels, rods, hardware
Some made-to-measure options
In-store advice
Castorama
Hardware and budget curtains
Limited
Fitting kits available
Saint Maclou
Premium fabrics and carpets
High
Professional fitting services
Heytens
Made-to-measure curtains
High
Home measuring and fitting
Madura
Designer fabrics
Yes
Styling advice
Alinéa
Decor-led ready-made ranges
Some
In-store consultation
Le Marché du Rideau
Specialist curtains and linings
High
Tailoring and fitting
Stores Discount
Budget ready-made options
Limited
Online deals
« Buying made-to-measure solved fit issues I had with ready-made panels, it was worth the extra cost »
Sophie N.
Selecting the right shop depends on priorities like budget, speed, and precision. Made-to-measure shops reduce fitting risk, while large retailers offer quick replacements and competitive pricing. According to Castorama, many customers still choose ready-made options for small windows and short lead times.
