need help buying curtains

spaceboy

I've never bought curtains before. I think I need at least a 140cm drop, and the window including surrounds is about 120cm, so what width should I go for? Also what shops are best? Dunelm?

Alderbank

Drop depends on the type of heading of your chosen curtains and width depends on a number of factors including the type of fabric and whether they are lined.

Since you are inexperienced, you should ask around friends and family for a local shop they recommend who makes their own curtains to measure and will visit in person to measure up and give you advice.

Misslayed

I’ve found the ‘curtain ladies’ in Dunelm to be very knowledgeable and helpful. They also make curtains to measure. 

DiamondLil

Misslayed said:

I’ve found the ‘curtain ladies’ in Dunelm to be very knowledgeable and helpful. They also make curtains to measure. 

Another vote for Dunelm - I've used them for made to measure curtains and can thoroughly recommend

gwynlas

In the abscence of choice of department stores these days Dunhelm have a large selection of ready made and made to measure curtains at all price ranges.
Whilst you say your drop is 140cms is this to just below yourr windowcill  from an existing rail?
There are on line guides re measuring correctly.
Twice times width gives you good coverage whatever type heading you have so you need a pair of curtains that are each the full width with a drop near to 140cms.
Sales staff are generally very knowledgeable and eager to help if you go in on a quieter day.
Dunhelm also offer a shortening service which is good but can work out almost as much as the curtains themselves so if you have odd size windows anywhere it is worth considering all options

Runner_Duck

I looked at Dunelm but the quality did not seem great and they had a very limited selection for the width and heading I wanted. Eventually went with the on line Curtains Curtains Curtains.  I seem to remember that you can buy swatches for a small ££s, important if you want to be sure it will match something.  There was a problem with the heading tape on one set, and they sorted it out super quickly with a courier coming to collect the items next day.

MysteryMe

The ready made curtains I bought from Dunelm were excellent quality.  A lot depends on budget but other places to consider are Next, John Lewis, M&S or for a more modest budget The Range or once you know exactly what size and curtain type (I am now a convert to eyelet curtains as the parrot kept breaking the plastic curtain hooks) they have plenty to chose on Amazon or ebay.  I have bought from most I have mentioned but I do prefer to buy in person though because that's the only real way you can accurately judge the material and even colours TBH

Grenage

We went to a fabric store and selected what we wanted, then had a local independent seamstress make the curtains. 

It was cheaper, and we got exactly what we wanted.

Beeblebr0x

Another vote for Dunelm. Have just ordered our third set of curtains from them. They will charge £90 to come and measure up, but this includes hanging them too.

Yorkie1

I've been very impressed with Dunelm ready made, and made to measure, curtains and blinds over the years. You can order free samples. And, for ready made, you can return them if they aren't right when you get them home.

I've also used a local curtain / blind maker to make a single floor-length door curtain from fabric bought at a department store, and the same person made me some roman blinds from an old pair of dunelm curtains!

fabricexpert19

For width, a good rule is to go 1.5x to 2x the window width for a nice gather. So for 120cm wide, look for curtains that total around 180–240cm across both panels. A 140cm drop should work, depending on whether you want them to sit on the sill or hang longer.

Dunelm’s reliable and has great choice, but I actually got mine custom-made by Foy & Co Interiors and they were super helpful! You can even message them and they’ll guide you through fabric choices, measuring tips, and styles.

 Great range too if you’re looking for something a bit more unique – and they do samples if you want to try before you buy. Would definitely recommend.