Ready-Made Curtain Sizes: What to Check Before a Sale

A customer can fall in love with a curtain in the shop and still go home with the wrong size. It usually happens because width, drop and heading are discussed as separate details rather than as parts of one fitting decision. A few straightforward questions before the sale can save a return journey for everyone.

Measure the fitting, not just the glass

The first question is whether the curtains will hang from a pole or a track. Ask the customer to measure the usable width of that fitting, rather than the window pane alone. The fitting often extends beyond the frame, and the curtains need enough fabric to cover it with a comfortable gather.

It also helps to ask whether the pole or track is already installed. If not, the customer should settle its position before choosing a final drop. Even a small change in where the fitting sits can alter the finished look.

Explain what a pack width actually means

Ready-made curtains are commonly sold as pairs, but the stated width may refer to each panel rather than the pair together. Always explain the wording on the individual product pack. A customer who assumes a 168 cm width covers the entire window may end up buying far too little fabric—or far more than expected.

A useful rule of thumb for many gathered curtains is to allow more combined flat fabric width than the fitting width, often around one-and-a-half to twice as much. The exact fullness depends on the heading, fabric and the look the customer wants. Check the product guidance rather than treating any one ratio as universal.

The heading changes the measurement conversation

Eyelet curtains thread onto a pole and hang in regular folds. Pencil pleat curtains use heading tape and hooks, usually on a track or suitable pole. They don't necessarily hang from the same starting point, so the measurement taken from the fitting needs to match the heading selected.

If a customer brings only the window height, ask for the distance from the intended hanging point to the desired finish. For eyelets, the top of the fabric usually sits above the pole; for pencil pleats, hook position and heading adjustment can affect where the curtain starts. Explain the distinction before choosing a pack.

Choose the drop for the room

Some customers prefer curtains finishing just above the floor; others want them to reach the sill or fall below it. There isn't a single correct finish for every window. Radiators, furniture, door clearance and uneven floors can all influence the decision. Encourage measuring at more than one point, especially for floor-length curtains.

For a bedroom, check whether the customer wants extra coverage around the edges to help with light control. For a patio door, make sure the finished drop allows the door to be used comfortably. Practical use matters as much as appearance.

A simple three-point check at the till

Before completing the sale, confirm the fitting width, the required finished drop and the heading type. Then repeat back whether the pack contains one curtain or a pair, and what the printed measurements refer to. Those few details catch many of the avoidable misunderstandings.

Help customers arrive prepared

A small measuring card near the curtain display can be surprisingly useful. Give customers spaces to write down pole or track width, drop from the appropriate hanging point, and heading type. A note about checking the actual product dimensions prevents an estimate becoming a promise.

If a customer is still choosing between headings, show them both on a real fitting. Seeing how eyelets sit on a pole and how pencil pleats gather makes the sizing explanation much easier to follow.

A better sale is one that fits

The aim isn't to turn every customer into a curtain fitter. It's to make sure they leave knowing what they are buying and how it will hang. That confidence is part of the service an independent curtain retailer can offer.

For examples of ready-made eyelet curtains, explore Chester Natural at https://www.tyrone-group.com/product-page/chester-natural and Chester Navy at https://www.tyrone-group.com/product-page/chester-navy. Check the sizes offered for the specific product before advising a customer.