How to measure for your new window blinds

It’s the finishing touches that elevate an interior and our made to measure roman blinds do just that. From iconic prints to risqué motifs and Arts and Crafts influences to simple florals, we have a stunning range of archive fabrics to choose from. With stacked and waterfall folds available, our Roman blinds are a great alternative to curtains and the perfect way to complete a scheme.

Once you’ve decided on your favourite prints, take a look at our step by step guide below and work out which type of blind is best suited to your window. 

There are two different styles of Archive by Sanderson Design blinds to choose from: 

Waterfall folds are staggered, so that each fold is slightly longer than the last.

Stacked folds are folds of the same size that layer behind each other when the blind is pulled up.

Don’t worry if you haven’t decided which style of blind to choose yet - the following steps are relevant to both options.

Toolkit

• • Notepad
• • Pen or pencil
• • Tape measure

Blind position

Begin by deciding whether your blind will sit inside or outside the window reveal. Consider the position of any existing blinds and choose which works best for your room – both options look fantastic.

Fitting inside the window

1. MEASURE THE LENGTH 

Work out the finished length of your roman blind by measuring from the top of the window reveal to the top of the sill. Windows are often uneven (especially in older buildings), so we recommend measuring in a number of places before deciding the most suitable length.

2. MEASURE THE WIDTH

Now measure the width of your window’s reveal, taking away 1cm from the narrowest point. This will give you the finished width. As with the length, it’s best to measure in a few different places to determine the most suitable size. 

Your final made to measure blind will have a 5mm clearance on either side.

Window handles can sometimes get in the way, so you may need to attach your blind to the ceiling or window reveal. This ensures the blind is far enough away from the handles to avoid any obstruction.

Please note: Complete blackout will not be achieved when fitting your blind inside the window.

Fitting outside the window

1. MEASURE THE LENGTH

Blinds fitted outside the window usually look their best if they’re installed 10cms above the reveal, with a hem that falls between 5cms and 15cms below the sill. By measuring from the top of the blind to the hem in several places you will find the most appropriate finished length.

2. MEASURE THE WIDTH

When measuring the width of the reveal, check for any obstructions (such as furniture or art). Measure the width of the reveal and decide how far beyond the reveal the blind will reach. We suggest adding at least 5cm to either side - this will give you your finished width.

Obstructions could affect how the blind hangs and influence whether the blind mechanism would be better suited to the left or right.

Now you know the length and width of your made to measure blind. If you haven’t quite decided which of our exciting revival prints to choose, explore our blind fabrics page and browse our range of iconic designs. When you’ve found a favourite, we’d suggest ordering a sample (or two!), just to check the colours and textures are right for your project. Our samples are charged at 90p each.

If you have any questions, please contact our customer service team.