Ready made curtains offer convenience and affordability for homeowners looking to dress their windows without the expense of custom options. However, the limited range of standard widths can present challenges when trying to achieve a perfect fit. Understanding the common dimensions available and how to work with these constraints is essential for making informed decisions for your window treatments.
Standard Ready Made Curtain Widths
Most manufacturers produce ready made curtains in a fairly consistent range of widths. The most commonly available widths in the market today include:
- 46-48 inches (117-122 cm)
- 66-72 inches (168-183 cm)
- 90-96 inches (229-244 cm)
- 108-112 inches (274-284 cm)
- 132-140 inches (335-356 cm)
These measurements represent the width of a single curtain panel, not a pair. When purchasing ready made curtains, you'll typically need to buy multiple panels to achieve proper coverage for your window.
The Fullness Factor
One crucial aspect when selecting curtain width is understanding the concept of "fullness." Fullness refers to how gathered or pleated the curtains appear when closed. Professional interior designers recommend a fullness ratio of 2 to 2.5 times your window's width for an elegant, luxurious look. This means that for a 60-inch window, you would ideally need 120-150 inches of total curtain width.
With ready made options limited to specific sizes, achieving ideal fullness can be challenging. Many homeowners end up with either insufficient coverage (creating a flat, stretched appearance) or excessive material (causing awkward bunching when opened). Either of these outcomes can infer an unrefined interior finish.
The Limitations of Standard Widths
The restricted range of ready made curtain widths presents several challenges:
1. Odd-Sized Windows
Many homes, particularly older or custom-built properties, feature windows with non-standard dimensions. Bay windows, picture windows, and architectural features can create situations where standard curtain widths simply don't align with the space.
2. Achieving Proper Fullness
As mentioned, proper curtain fullness requires specific width calculations. With ready made curtains, you're forced to work with predetermined widths, often resulting in compromises on appearance.
3. Corner Windows and Special Configurations
Windows that meet at corners or unusual window groupings may require specific width measurements that don't align with standard ready made options.
4. Style Limitations
Some curtain styles, like wave fold or ripple fold, require precise width calculations to form proper pleats. Ready made curtains rarely accommodate these specialized needs.
When Ready Made Curtains Won't Work
There are situations where the limitations of standard widths make ready made curtains impractical:
- Extremely wide windows (over 150 inches)
- Highly unusual window dimensions
- Specific design requirements demanding precise fullness
- Historic homes with non-standard window configurations
In these cases, made-to-measure or custom curtains may be the only viable solution despite the higher cost.
Should I Buy Ready Made or Made-To-Measure?
When deciding whether ready made curtains will work for your space:
- Measure your window width precisely
- Calculate your desired fullness factor (typically 2-2.5x)
- Determine the total curtain width needed
- Check if standard widths can accomplish this with reasonable compromise
- Consider how important perfect fit is versus budget constraints
While ready made curtains offer significant cost savings and immediate availability, their standardized widths do require flexibility in application. Understanding these limitations before purchasing can help set realistic expectations and prevent disappointment with the final appearance when you're looking for that perfect finish.
For those willing to work within these constraints, ready made curtains can still provide attractive window treatments for most standard-sized windows. However, being prepared to purchase multiple panels or make minor adjustments to mounting techniques will yield much better results than trying to force standard widths into incompatible spaces.