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How to Measure a Bay Window for Curtains - Your Step-by-Step Guide Avoid measuring mistakes - learn how to measure a bay window for curtains accurately and confidently, so your new window treatment fits like a glove. Why Getting the Measurement Right Matters Avoid the “too short or too narrow” nightmare If you under-measure your bay window you’ll end up with curtains that … don’t quite reach or don’t fully close, leaving awkward gaps or light streaming where you didn’t want it. Ensure full curtains that gather and stack neatly Add enough width so that when your curtains are open, they can "stack" neatly at the sides, rather than blocking part of the view. Guides recommend adding at least 20-30 cm on each outer side. Make the installation future-proof When you measure well, you’ll choose the right hardware (pole or track), avoid nasty surprises when fitting brackets and get the aesthetic you’re after (think full-length drama, or modern neat finish). https://themillshop.co.uk/products/laura-ashley-haywood-holdback?_pos=9&_sid=cdbc105b8&_ss=r&variant=51674275643739/products/laura-ashley-haywood-holdback 1: Identify What Type of Bay You've Got Before pulling out the tape measure, it helps to know what sort of bay window you’re dealing with - because measurement varies slightly. Angled bay vs box bay vs curved/bow bay An angled bay has window panels that meet at clear corners (e.g. 3-sided or 5-sided). A box bay is more rectangular or square outward-projection. A bow bay or curved bay has gentle curves rather than sharp angles.Knowing this helps you decide whether you’ll use a bendable track, angled connectors or a rigid pole. Decide hardware: curtain track or pole As noted by bandaged guides, tracks (especially flexible ones) give more seamless movement around curves. Poles can work beautifully but need correct connectors and overhangs. Shop our hardware range here to choose from our options. Note the walls, returns, and side allowances Check whether the bay returns onto short walls (so curtains can sit back on those walls) or whether there is little side wall to tuck behind. This affects how much overhang to allow. 2: Measure the Width – The Crucial Number: This is the part where many people go wrong. Let’s break it down clearly. Step-by-step for angled bay Using a rigid tape or a soft tape (for curved tracks) measure the width of each wall section of the bay: from the start of the pole/track on side wall to the angle, then across the next section, and so on. Add the widths of all sides together to get the total width your pole or track will cover. Allow for overhang – it’s advisable to extend the pole/track beyond the outer windows by about 15-30 cm (6-12 in) on each outer side so the curtains can be drawn back without blocking light For curved or bow bays If your bay is curved, you’ll likely use a bendable track. You should run a soft tape or piece of string along the curve from the start to end point to get the width across the curve. Check for any finials, brackets or side limitations When using a pole, check whether finials add length, or whether the wall ends abruptly thus restricting how far you can overhang. Some guides emphasise subtracting allowance if brackets take up length.  3: Measure the Drop – How Long Should Your Curtains Be Once you know the width, next up is how far your curtains will drop – and of course you want it to look right. Decide how you want your curtains to finish Typical options in the UK: Above sill (just 1-2 cm above) Below sill (15-20 cm below) Floor length (1-2 cm above floor) – the most elegant for living rooms. Measure from correct fixing point For tracks: measure from the top edge of the track down. For poles: measure from the underside of the ring / eyelet (or where the curtain will hang). Some guides say measure from the top of pole then subtract a small allowance. Take three drop measurements Because walls/floors may not be perfectly level, take a measurement left, centre and right and use the shortest as your drop length. This avoids curtains hitting floor or bunching.  4: Practical Tips & Common Pitfalls to Avoid Allow for furniture, radiators or sills If you have a radiator under the bay window or deep sill, you might want curtains just to a sill length or slightly above radiator height rather than puddling on the floor. Many UK homes have this. Bracket vs ceiling fix If there’s less than ~15 cm above window frame to ceiling, a wall bracket may not fit and you’ll need a ceiling bracket for the pole/track. Make sure your heading style is compatible If using a track, some heading types (e.g., eyelets) may not work well because the hooks may snag at the corners in a bay. Good planning avoids that. Don’t assume symmetry Bay windows often aren’t perfectly symmetrical - each side could differ by a few cm. Measure each section individually rather than assuming “oh all five sides must be the same”. Double-check everything Yes, measure twice. Then check once more. While you’re already up on the stool. Because once you order your curtains or pole/track, changes may be costly or awkward. Ask someone to hold the tape if you can. /products/hampshire-pencil-pleat-curtains /products/eclipse-blackout-pencil-pleat-curtains 5: Now You’re Ready to Choose Curtains With accurate measurements in hand, you’re well on your way to selecting curtains that fit beautifully. Ready-made vs made-to-measure If your bay window dimensions are non-standard (which many are), you might want to explore made-to-measure. But if they fall into common size ranges, our ready-made curtains collection may suit you. Choose the right hardware for your measurement For example, you might use the flexible net rod for large bay windows if your bay has unusual angles or you’re after a more subtle curtain solution. Installing the correct pole/track means your curtains will hang and move as intended. See Product

How to measure Eyelet curtains the right way for your home Have you ever picked out a gorgeous set of eyelet curtains, only to hang them up and realise they’re either too short, too narrow or simply don’t drape as you imagined? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, getting the measurements right is often the trickiest part of buying curtains. Whether you’re buying ready-made or going custom, by the end of this guide you’ll be ready to measure like a pro-and choose eyelet curtains that look smart, hang neatly and suit your home. /products/cotswold-lined-eyelet-curtains /products/cosmos-blackout-eyelet-curtains Why Accurate Measures Make All the Difference: You avoid awkward gaps or curtains that tug on the floor If your width is too narrow or your drop too long, you’ll end up with a less polished look-or worse, curtains that drag or don’t cover properly. Eyelet curtains demand specific measurement rules Because of the way eyelet headings sit on the pole, the measurement method differs slightly from other styles. For example, you often measure from the top of the pole rather than the ring or eyelet itself. A good fit = a room that feels cared for When your curtains hang correctly, they instantly elevate the room. It’s about more than function-it’s about aesthetics, texture, style and making your space feel finished. Measure the Width – How Wide Should Your Eyelet Curtains Be? Decide whether you have a pole already installed If you already have a curtain pole up, measure the distance between the finials (the decorative ends). That’s your width measurement.If you don’t have a pole yet, measure your window width and add extra either side so the curtains can stack back neatly and light/draught doesn’t creep in. Shop our Curtain Poles here. How much extra width do you need? A good rule of thumb: add at least 15 cm to each side of the window (or more if you want grander drape) so the curtain panel can stack back without blocking the window or looking Choose curtain width based on pole/track width When choosing ready-made eyelet curtains: the width of each panel should match (or slightly exceed) the width of the pole/track. If in doubt, choose slightly wider for better fullness.  /products/sade-eyelet-curtains Measure the Drop (Length) – How Long Should Your Eyelet Curtains Be? Decide where you want your curtains to finish Typical finish options in UK homes for eyelet curtains: Just above the windowsill (≈ 1 cm above) Below the sill (≈ 15 cm below) Floor-length (≈ 1 cm above floor) Start measuring from the top of the pole For eyelet headings the key starting point is the top of the curtain pole (or the underside of the finials, depending on your set-up). Some guides say to add about 3-4 cm to accommodate the part of the fabric above the eyelet. Take multiple drop measurements for accuracy Because floors or ceilings may not always be level, measure at three points (left, middle, right) and use the smallest measurement so your curtains won’t drag or puddle unless you want them to.  See Product Selecting the Right Eyelet Curtain Style & Fit Check your pole diameter and curtain header compatibility Eyelet curtains need a suitable pole diameter—some will only fit poles up to a certain size (for example up to 28 mm). Heavier fabrics (velvet, lined) often require stronger poles. Consider stack-back (how far curtains gather at sides) If your fabric is heavy or thick, remember the stack-back (how much space the curtains take when open) may be larger-this impacts your width and how much of the window you’ll still see when curtains are open. Whether ready-made or made-to-measure If your measurements align with standard ready-made sizes, you can choose from options like the Chenille Blackout Eyelet Curtains, Velvet Blackout Eyelet Curtains or Cotswold Lined Eyelet curtains on the site. If your window is an unusual size, custom might be smarter. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them: Mistake: Measuring the window not the pole One frequent error: measuring the window recess instead of the pole/track width-when in fact the width to provide is often the pole/track measurement. Mistake: Forgetting the extra curtain above the eyelet Because eyelet curtains sit on the pole through their metal rings, you must allow extra fabric above the eyelet (3-4 cm is common) so the eyelets don’t sit awkwardly. Mistake: Leaving no side overlap or under-estimating stack-back If you don’t allow enough width, the closed curtain may not fully cover the window or you’ll lose a large portion of your view when curtains are open. Mistake: Not checking level floor or uneven headers Especially older homes: floor or window frames may not be perfectly level. Measure three drop points and use the smallest. If you skip this, your curtains might drag or look untidy. /products/amberley-thermal-lined-eyelet-curtains So, grab your tape measure, note your exact figures, and when you head over to choose from eyelet options (like the ones on our site), you’ll do so with confidence. Your home will thank you-your windows will look the part, and you’ll enjoy a space that feels polished.