Curtain Measuring Guide | All Sorts Of

In case ya missed it, the Amber Lewis x Everhem collaboration is now available at Shoppe Amber Interiors! From classic drapes and cafe curtains, to roman shades and hardware, the assortment offers a range of timeless designs. Each style in the collection blends Amber’s elevated, laid-back aesthetic with Everhem’s heirloom-quality craftsmanship, but our favorite detail?! It’s all made-to-measure, perfect for creating a custom look that’s always in style.

With custom window treatments come plenty of questions — How do I measure my windows? What’s the difference between inside and outside mount? How far above my window sill should I install the hardware? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back here at #allsortsof, sharing our best tips and tricks for a perfectly tailored look. Read on to learn more and shop the collection.

Find Your Width: Grab your tape measure and measure the window’s horizontal width from trim to trim — outside edge to outside edge — at the top, middle, and bottom of the window. This helps account for any slight variations.

Add Your Stack: “Stack” refers to the extra inches you account for on each side so your drapery can pull completely clear of the window when opened (Plus, it makes your window look larger!) Measure for both the left and right stacks. We suggest a minimum of 8″ per side if you’ve got the room — and if your window is on the wider side (100″+), add a couple more inches to your stack.

Measure the Height: Measure from the floor to the top of the window in three spots — left, center, and right — to get an accurate read. Then, measure from the top of the window to the ceiling or crown moulding.

Choose Your Mounting Height: This is the space above the window where your hardware will sit. Everhem hardware needs at least 3 ½” above the trim to install properly, but if you can, aim for 7″ above for a more elevated look. Want to go even more dramatic? Mount your hardware just 2″ below the ceiling for a bit of grandeur!

Check Your Depth: First, make sure your window frame is deep enough for an inside mount — you’ll need at least 2″ of depth. Round down to the nearest ¼” when measuring and note the flat surface available inside your window frame.

Measure the Width: Measure the inside edges of the window frame from left to right in three spots — top, middle, and bottom. Round each measurement down to the nearest ⅛” and jot them down.

Measure the Height: Now measure the inside edges of the window frame from top to bottom in three places — left, center, and right. Round each measurement up to the nearest ⅛” and take note.

Bonus Tip: Always measure twice! Small differences can affect fit, and rounding in the correct direction (down for width, up for height) ensures your shade will operate smoothly without rubbing against the frame.

Measure the Width: Using your tape measure, measure the outside edges of your window frame (trim to trim) in three spots — top, middle, and bottom. Round each measurement up to the nearest ⅛”. To make sure the shade fully covers your window, add extra width: 1″ per side for standard shades, or 2″ per side for blackout. Record the total.

Measure the Height: Measure from the top of the trim to the windowsill in three places — left, center, and right — rounding up to the nearest ⅛”. For a wall-mounted shade, add about 5″ above the trim for the mounting height. For a door-mounted shade, add 3″ above the top of the window. If mounting directly on the trim, you won’t add height, but you’ll need at least 2″ of flat space on the trim for proper installation.

Choose Your Mounting Height: Designer guidelines recommend 5” above the window trim when mounting on a wall above a window, 2” above the window if mounting on the window trim, and flush with the trim for a window trim mount (again, as long as you have 2″ of flat mounting space.)

Bonus Tip: Always round up for outside mounts — this ensures you get complete coverage and a polished, custom fit.

Check Your Depth: Make sure your window frame is at least 1″ deep for an inside mount. This gives your rod and hardware enough space to sit securely.

Find Your Mounting Height: Café curtains are often mounted halfway up the window. Starting from your chosen mounting height, measure straight down to the bottom inside edge of the window. Round this measurement down to the nearest ⅛”.

Measure the Width: At your chosen mounting height, measure the inside edges of the window frame from left to right. Again, round down to the nearest ⅛”.

Pick Your Panel Style: Decide if you want a single panel or double panels — for café curtains, we generally recommend going with two panels for a fuller and more symmetrical look.

Check Your Mounting Space: You’ll need at least 1″ of flat mounting space on your window trim to install the hardware securely.

Find Your Mounting Height: Café curtains are typically mounted halfway up the window. Starting from your chosen mounting height, measure down to the bottom inside edge of the window. Round this measurement down to the nearest ⅛”.

Measure the Width: On the flat part of your trim, find the centerpoint of the flat mounting space on each side of the window. At your chosen mounting height, measure from one trim centerpoint to the other. Round this measurement up to the nearest ⅛”.

Pick Your Panel Style: Choose between a single panel or double panels. We prefer double, but you do you!

And that wraps our tips n’ tricks for measuring, folks! Still feeling a bit stumped? Check out Everhem’s step-by-step guides for some additional guidance.