How to measure for roman blinds

Getting the right size is very important to the overall look and performance of your roman blinds - Keep on reading to find out how to get the perfect measurement for your new roman blinds. We recommend you do the following:

Sketch each of your windows and write each measurement on the sketch as you go
Measure in millimeters with a reliable metal tape measure
Follow the builders' rule of thumb - measure twice!

All Harvey Furnishings' ready made roman blinds (both in store and online) have their measurements listed in Width x Drop.

For custom made roman blinds, bring your measurements in store or arrange a free in home consultation to have our consultants measure up your windows for you.

For an Outside Mount (recommended)

Roman blind width

Measure the width from the left to right outside edges of the window frame or architrave in millimetres at the top, middle and bottom of the window as pictured in positions A, B and C. Use the largest of these three measurements. If the window has no architrave or frame, measure the width of the window opening.

Add 100mm to your width measurement to allow 50mm of blind to sit each side of the window, providing optimal thermal insulation and light block. Check for any obstacles within 50mm each side of the window and adjust the final width measurement as appropriate.

Roman blind drop

Measure from the top to bottom of the architrave/frame. Where there is no architrave/frame, measure from the top to bottom of the window opening.

Add 150-200mm to your drop measurement to allow the blind to hang above the window without blocking any light/view when open. Check for any obstacles above the window and adjust the final drop measurement as appropriate.

Add a further 50-100mm below the window to provide optimal insulation and light block. Check for any obstacles, for example a protruding window sill, and adjust the final drop measurement to suit.

Note: Window frames are almost never perfectly square. If you want your blind to sit along the top of a protruding sill, measure the drop at the left, middle and right, as pictured at positions D, E and F, and use the smallest of the three measurements. Note that, if your window frame is not completely square, a roman blind sitting on the sill will highlight this. Another option for a window with a protruding sill is to mount your blind onto a packer (such as a strip of wood) so that it can clear the sill and hang at the recommended 50-100mm below.

how to measure for roman blinds outside mount

For an Inside Mount

An inside mount is desirable where there is little clearance around the window for an outside mount. However, it does not insulate or block light as effectively as an outside mounted roman blind and, when open, approximately 150mm of the blind will hang over the top of the window, blocking a significant amount of light. For these reasons, we recommend an outside mount for roman blinds.

Window frame width

Measure the exact opening width across the inside of the window frame in millimetres at the top, middle and bottom of the window as pictured in positions A, B and C. We will use the smallest of the three measurements with some space allowed on each side to enable the roman blind to move up and down freely.

Window frame drop

Measure the exact drop (or height) of the opening from the inside top of the window frame to the top of the sill in millimetres at the left, middle and right of the window as pictured in positions D, E and F. We will use the smallest of the three measurements.

how to measure for roman blinds inside mount