What Does ‘Ready-Made Curtains’ Actually Mean?

The term “ready-made curtains” is widely used, but it isn’t always clearly understood. Many customers assume ready-made curtains are lower quality than made-to-measure options, or that they won’t fit properly. In reality, modern ready-made curtains are designed to suit the vast majority of UK windows and offer an excellent balance of quality, convenience, and value.

Understanding what ready-made curtains actually mean helps customers buy with confidence and choose the right option for their home.

What Are Ready-Made Curtains?

Ready-made curtains are curtains that are manufactured in standard sizes rather than made specifically to order. They are produced in set widths and drops that reflect the most common UK window dimensions.

This approach allows ready-made curtains to be:

• Readily available

• More affordable than bespoke curtains

• Easy to replace or update

  
  

Ranges such as Enhanced Living are designed around these standard sizes, ensuring consistency across colours, fabrics, and heading styles.

How Ready-Made Curtain Sizing Works

Ready-made curtains are typically sold as pairs, with each pair designed to cover a standard curtain pole or track width when fully closed.

Width

The width stated on ready-made curtains refers to the flat width of each curtain. To achieve a full, gathered look, curtains should usually be between 1.5 and 2 times the width of the pole or track.

Drop

Drops are measured from the top of the curtain heading to the bottom hem. Common UK drops include:

• Short / sill length

• Standard floor length

• Longer floor-length options

  
  

The Enhanced Living range offers multiple drop options to help customers find the best fit without needing bespoke curtains.

Standard UK Sizing

The standard readymade curtains sizes in the UK are:

Width

• 117cm (46")

• 168cm (66")

• 229cm (90")

Drop

• 137cm (54")

• 183cm (72")

• 229cm (90")

• 274cm (108") Selected designs only.

Are Ready-Made Curtains Lower Quality?

A common misconception is that ready-made curtains are lower quality than made-to-measure alternatives. In practice, quality depends on:

• Fabric choice

• Construction

• Lining

• Quality control

  
  

Modern ready-made ranges, including Enhanced Living, are produced to consistent specifications and quality standards. This often results in more uniform finishing than bespoke options, where results can vary between suppliers.

Ready-Made vs Made-to-Measure Curtains

Ready-Made Curtains

• Available immediately

• Lower cost

• Designed for standard windows

• Consistent quality and sizing

  
  

Made-to-Measure Curtains

• Custom sizing

• Higher cost

• Longer lead times

• Suitable for unusual window sizes

  
  

For most homes, ready-made curtains provide an excellent solution without the complexity or expense of bespoke alternatives.

Why Ready-Made Curtains Work for Most Homes

The majority of UK homes are built around standard window sizes. This makes ready-made curtains a practical choice in most situations, especially for:

• Living rooms

• Bedrooms

• Rental properties

• New builds

With the wide range of sizes and heading styles available in collections like Enhanced Living, customers can achieve a tailored look without a bespoke price tag.

Heading Styles in Ready-Made Curtains

Ready-made curtains are available in multiple heading styles, including:

• Eyelet

• Pencil pleat (tape top)

• 
  

Enhanced Living offers both options, allowing customers to choose based on whether they have a pole or track and their preferred style.

When Ready-Made Curtains Might Not Be Suitable

Ready-made curtains may not be ideal for:

• Extra-wide or unusually shaped windows

• Bay windows requiring precise fitting

• Very high ceilings needing bespoke drops

  
  

In these cases, made-to-measure curtains may be the better option.

Final Thoughts

Ready-made curtains are not a compromise — they are a practical, well-designed solution for modern homes. With standardised sizing, consistent quality, and immediate availability, ranges like Enhanced Living offer flexibility and value without sacrificing appearance or performance.

Understanding what ready-made curtains actually mean allows customers to choose confidently and achieve a professional finish with minimal effort.