How to measure for double, designer curtains

The easy way to measure for double, designer curtains

Welcome to our simple guide to measuring your windows for your new designer curtains on double tracks. You're going to love just how quick and easy it is to measure up.

Before you get going

This is where the fun starts! If you’ve already landed on the perfect fit for your windows, then you’re good to go. Otherwise don't stress, we'll walk you through the design options below including tips for how to customise your curtains for a luxe, designer look.

Wake up to luxury every day when you install effortless, motorised curtains in your home. Somfy's custom tracks and premium, wired and battery-powered motors work for any sized window. Just add motorisation to your order to get your dream look.

For double curtains you can motorise a single curtain track or both tracks, it's completely your choice. We recommend motorising rear, blockout curtains so you can effortlessly switch between day and night time privacy.

Wired motors are perfect for new homes or renovations. With a bit of help from your electrician you can plan ahead to make your motor and cabling discreet. For example if you want double, motorised curtains you can hide your wiring in between your tracks.

Designing your dream curtains

The fun starts with designing how your curtains will fit, so channel your inner stylist and get creative! This is about finding your dream look and getting custom curtains that fit and function perfectly.

Double curtains that hang from your ceiling are called ceiling mount:

give a sense of space and draw focus to the height of your room
curtains are best attached to ceiling battens
great option for a straight edge ceiling and to fit inside cornices
enjoy day and night privacy with sheer + blockout double curtains
for a designer look have your light and airy sheers at the front in an S fold
for a slimmer projection choose a knife or pencil pleat for your rear blockouts and add motorisation to effortlessly switch between day and night privacy
keep it on trend with a left stack or right stack or pick centre opening curtains for easy access to both sides of your window
choose your dream finish - puddled sheers look fabulously relaxed combined with blockout curtains just off the floor
pick your perfect hem and for premium linens opt for our 100 mm hem for a luxe look
opt for our designer or residential track in white to blend seamlessly with light walls and in black or silver to tie in with similar features in your home
for larger drops go for a longer wand or no wand at all
if you have built in pelmets check they're at least 250 mm deep to fit your double track
looking for something unique? Contact us about our designer curtain rods and different fabrics

Double curtains that hang on your wall are called face mount:

for a lush feel cover your entire wall with designer, double curtains
curtains are best attached to wall studs and also attach to concrete, stone, brick or tile
check our blog to choose the perfect position for your curtain track
enjoy day and night privacy with sheer + blockout double curtains
for a designer look have your light and airy sheers at the front in an S fold
for a slimmer projection choose a knife or pencil pleat for your rear blockouts and add motorisation to effortlessly switch between day and night privacy
keep it on trend with a left stack or right stack or pick centre opening curtains for easy access to both sides of your window
choose your dream finish - puddled sheers look fabulously relaxed combined with blockout curtains just off the floor
pick your perfect hem and for premium linens opt for our 100 mm hem for a luxe look
opt for our residential track in white to blend seamlessly with light walls and in black or silver to tie in with similar features in your home
for larger drops go for a longer wand or no wand at all
if you have built in pelmets check they're at least 250 mm deep to fit your double track
looking for something unique? Contact us about our designer curtain rods and different fabrics

OK it's time to start measuring,
let's take it step by step.

Measuring up is easy, here's how to do it:

1 Check your depth

If you have a built in pelmet check you have at least 250 mm of depth inside your pelmet so you can fit both curtains.

Our double curtains project between 220 mm and 250 mm out from your wall and you can reduce your projection by customising your curtain styles. Our slimmest, designer option that needs 220 mm of depth is a sheer S fold combined with a pencil or knife pleat for your blockouts.

1 A double curtains ceiling mount measure width

2 Measure your width

Measure the exact width of your ceiling from one wall to the other, and write it down. If you have cornices, you'll measure from the inside of your cornices. This measurement will be your track width.

Don't worry about measuring how much fabric you need, we'll take care of that for you based on your track width.

2 A double curtains ceiling mount measure width

3 Measure your splits (optional)

A

For multiple openings you can choose up to 2 splits and tell us exactly where you'd like them. Splitting your curtains is a fantastic option for bi-fold and sliding doors, so you can easily move sections of your curtains to access your doors.

Make a note of how many splits you'd like in your curtains. Your splits will be the same for your front and rear curtains. We will assume that your splits are evenly spaced if you don't give us split measurements.

If you don't want any splits you can skip to step 4.
B

For one custom split measure the width from the left across to where your split will be and write it down.
C

For two custom splits measure the widths from the left across to each split position and write them down.

4 Measure your drop

Measure from your ceiling down to the floor on the left side, middle and right side. If you have cornices, you'll measure from the inside of your cornice. Write down the largest of all three.

Go for puddling if your 3 measurements have a greater than 10 mm difference.

3 A double curtains ceiling mount measure drop

5 Choose your finish

When you design and order your curtains choose from the three options below.

Please only provide the hard measurements to us and please don't make any deductions or additions. We'll make the necessary adjustments so you get the perfect finish.

If you choose curtains just off the floor they will be approximately 5 - 10 mm shorter than your drop measurement, and they will hover just above your floor.

If you choose curtains touching the floor they will skim your floor by up to 5 mm.

If you choose puddling your curtains will puddle on your floor by 20 mm. If you'd like a larger puddle let us know when you order.

Remember you can combine two different finishes and it's best to note down which finish you want for each curtain. Want to know our top tip? Puddled sheers look fabulously relaxed combined with blockout curtains just off the floor.

4 A double curtains ceiling mount measure finish

6 Choose your wand, stack option and track flow

Note down which wand you want. It sounds obvious, but the larger your drop, the larger your wand needs to be so you can reach it.

Also note down whether you want a left stack, right stack, centre opening or multiple openings. Think about which side is easiest to reach, obstruction free and which part of your window you'll want to open often.

If you're adding motorisation your motor will sit on your stack side and for centre opening curtains you'll need to choose which side your motor is on. Motorisation is not available for multiple openings. We’ll make sure your motor fits, you don’t need to alter the measurements you took.

When you order you'll also need to choose between a fixed flow track and a free flow track. A free flow track gives you complete flexibility with how you open and stack your curtains. Motorisation is not available for free flow tracks.

5 A double curtains ceiling mount stack wand

7 Order your double curtains online

You're all set to order your double curtains online! When you order you'll choose your hem option. Just remember you don't need to add any extra to your measurements for your hem; we'll do it for you.

Remember to only give us the exact measurements you took; don't make any deductions or additions for your chosen finish.

If you order motorised curtains with a wired motor, we'll mail out your cables straight away so your electrician can start wiring.

Design & order

Measuring up is easy, here's how to do it:

1 Measure your width

For curtains to cover your entire wall, measure the exact width from one wall to the other, and write it down. This measurement will be your track width.

For curtains to frame your window, measure the exact outside width of your window frame or recess across the top, and write it down. Then add around 30% to the total width, so your curtains stack off your window glass. This measurement will be your track width. Example: your window frame width measures 1810 mm. You'll add 30% (543 mm), and then give us 2353 mm.

For some extra help working out your track width check our blog. Don't worry about measuring how much fabric you need, we'll take care of that for you based on your track width.

1 A double curtains face mount measure width

2 Measure your splits (optional)

A

For multiple openings you can choose up to 2 splits and tell us exactly where you'd like them. Splitting your curtains is a fantastic option for bi-fold and sliding doors, so you can easily move sections of your curtains to access your doors.

Make a note of how many splits you'd like in your curtains. Your splits will be the same for your front and rear curtains. We will assume that your splits are evenly spaced if you don't give us split measurements.

If you don't want any splits you can skip to step 3.
B

For one custom split measure the width from the left across to where your split will be and write it down.

If you're measuring from the left outside edge of your window frame or recess, add your left stack allowance in mm to the width. This is so your curtains stack off your window glass. Write down this measurement.
C

For two custom splits measure the widths from the left across to each split position and write them down.

If you're measuring the splits from the left outside edge of your window frame or recess, add your left stack allowance in mm to the widths. This is so your curtains stack off your window glass. Write down these measurements.

3 Measure your drop

A

Measure and mark with a pencil where your curtains will start. Use your ceiling or window frame as a reference point, so you get a level starting point across the top. Remember, it's best to hang your curtains from wall studs.

Need some help or inspiration? Check our blog about choosing the perfect position for your curtain track.
B

Measure from where your curtains will start down to the floor on the left side, middle and right side, and write down the largest of all three.

Go for puddling if your 3 measurements have a greater than 10 mm difference.

4 Choose your finish

When you design and order your curtains choose from the three options below.

Please only provide the hard measurements to us and please don't make any deductions or additions. We'll make the necessary adjustments so you get the perfect finish.

If you choose curtains just off the floor they will be approximately 5 - 10 mm shorter than your drop measurement, and they will hover just above your floor.

If you choose curtains touching the floor they will skim your floor by up to 5 mm.

If you choose puddling your curtains will puddle on your floor by 20 mm. If you'd like a larger puddle let us know when you order.

3 A double curtains face mount measure finish

5 Choose your wand, stack option and track flow

Note down which wand you want. It sounds obvious, but the larger your drop, the larger your wand needs to be so you can reach it.

If you're adding motorisation your motor will sit on your stack side and for centre opening curtains you'll need to choose which side your motor is on. Motorisation is not available for multiple openings. We’ll make sure your motor fits; you don’t need to alter the measurements you took.

4 A double curtains face mount stack wand

6 Order your double curtains online

Remember to only give us the exact measurements you took; don't make any deductions or additions for your chosen finish.

If you order motorised curtains with a wired motor, we'll mail out your cables straight away so your electrician can start wiring.

Design & order

Our hints and tips

Want to know our top tips for measuring up like a pro?

Give us your measurements in millimetres (mm)
Double check all of your measurements before you order
Always write down 'width' and 'drop' next to your measurements, so you don't reverse them by accident!
Note down which finish you want for each curtain (sheer and blockout) along with the correct drop measurement.
Only give us the exact measurements we ask for. Our team custom makes your curtains to fit your windows.
They make standard deductions to your drop to account for your chosen look and tracks, so you don't have to.
Measure every window. The beauty of each house is that each window may have slight variations in size,
and we want all your curtains to fit perfectly.
We know every home is unique and we're just a phone call away if you need to chat- 1300 918 390
For help deciding on a mount, you can email a photo of you window(s) to our team: info@diyblinds.com.au

Ready to install?

How to install designer double track curtains

Step by step guide

Have a question? We’re here to help
1300 918 390

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