ARTICLE

How to measure for blinds

Blinds look great in modern interiors and are a versatile and cost-effective way to provide privacy and give your room a stylish finish. Before you buy or DIY, make sure you know the right size for your window. Here's how to get it right...

How to measure for blinds

Tips for choosing a blind

  • Roller blinds are a great choice for narrow windows.
  • For kitchens and bathrooms, try Venetian blinds.
  • Roman blinds pull up into tailored pleats and create an elegant finish if you team them up with curtains.
  • For downstairs rooms where windows are often overlooked, blinds which cover the bottom half of the window are a great way to let in light and provide privacy.
  • Blinds aren't just for windows - they make great dressing for French doors too.

Whether a new blind means a trip to the high street, a bespoke design or a spot of DIY, you'll need to decide whether you want it to fit inside or outside the window recess and measure up accordingly.

To measure inside the recess:

  • Measure the length of the window from top to bottom.
  • Measure the width at the top of the recess.
  • Measure the width at two other points across the width of the window and make a note of the lowest measurement so that the blind won't get stuck when it's lowered.


    • To measure outside the recess:
  • To calculate the length of the blind, decide how low you want the blind to go (where you want the base to sit) and measure from the fixing point for the blind above the recess to this point.
  • To calculate the width, measure the width of the window and add 20cm to allow for sufficient overlap on each side of the window.

    • Related sections: Contemporary , Soft furnishings & window treatments

    COMMENTS