You can understand why an increasing number of UK homeowners are investing in made to measure curtains for their properties.
After all, custom-size curtains offer a wide range of advantages over off-the-shelf options. Not only are made-to-measure curtains designed to fit your windows to a T, but they also tend to be much more energy efficient and durable than standard curtains. Once they’re installed, you’ll be enjoying the cosiness and aesthetic appeal they offer for many years to come.
With that said, while those advantages are very much real, they’re not guaranteed. Some UK homeowners who install made to measure curtains end up disappointed by the results. In most cases, that happens because a couple of mistakes have been made somewhere along the line. In this post, we’ll outline some of those common errors, as well as offer some handy tips for avoiding them.
Incorrect Measurements
Without doubt, the most common reason for experiencing disappointing results when ordering made-to-measure curtains is incorrect measurements. In some cases, people don’t even measure; they just guess and hope for the best. That’ll save a few minutes of work, but will be much more likely to produce inadequate results.
Nervous about making measurements? Don’t be! At Sewing House, we’ve put together an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide that’ll ensure you’re nothing but delighted when your curtains show up at your door.
Ordering a Fabric Without First Getting a Close-Up Look
We invest in professional-quality photographs here at Sewing House, yet we also admit that while a picture can say a thousand words, it can’t tell the whole story. A few key aspects can look different in photographs than they do in real life, such as the texture, colour, and thickness.
In truth, if you’re ordering curtains made from a well-known designer fabric, then there’s a high chance that you’ll be happy with how your curtains look. But why settle for a ‘high chance’ when you don’t need to? At Sewing House, we offer up to five free samples, ensuring that you can make an informed decision before ordering.
Ignoring the Light Factor
It’s easy to get carried away with aesthetics, but keep in mind that there’s a functional side to curtains, too. Understanding how much light you want your curtains to block/let in is key to making sure that your made-to-measure curtains offer practical benefits to the room in which they hang.
Even the most luxurious of curtain fabrics might not make sense for a bedroom if it’s made from a thin material that lets light pass through. In the bedroom, thicker curtains that create a darkened environment are usually recommended. In contrast, living rooms, or any room where natural light is a plus, usually benefit from curtains made from lighter fabrics.
Overlooking Curtain Quality
Curtains might look good, but if they’re not made from durable materials, then they’re probably not going to be worth your time, effort, or money. Good curtains should last for years, but that can only happen if they’re manufactured using made-to-last fabrics. At Sewing House, we use curtain fabrics that are known for their quality, which gives our customers peace of mind that they can enjoy their curtains for many years to come.
Using Standard Curtain Poles
Your made to measure curtains will be the star of the show, but the poles will play an important supporting role. Many people invest in quality curtains, only to then use standard curtain poles that don’t do the curtains full justice.
Selecting quality curtain poles is key to unlocking a number of practical advantages, including providing enough weight support for curtains made from heavier materials. Good poles also make it easier to open/close curtains and provide a strong visual balance.
At Sewing House, you’ll find a range of quality curtain poles that can give the look of your made-to-measure curtains an additional dose of refined sophistication.
Forgetting About Energy Efficiency
Forgetting about energy efficiency isn’t exactly a mistake, since you can still enjoy the visual and practical benefits of quality made-to-measure curtains even if they don’t offer energy-efficiency boosts.
However, it does mean that you’ll be missing out on some of the often-overlooked advantages of installing quality curtains in your home. At Sewing House, we offer innovative curtain fabrics that can help regulate a room’s temperature, which makes it easier to keep the space cool in summer and warm in winter. With energy prices seemingly always on the rise, made-to-measure curtains offer a stylish way to get a firmer grip on the cost of your energy bills.
Practical Oversights
In general, curtains made from quality fabrics tend to be highly durable.
However, some are more durable than others. Soft, whimsical curtains can be surprisingly long-lasting, but they’re not invincible. Those curtains tend to work best when they’re handled gently, and that’s not always possible in high-use, slightly chaotic homes where playing children and pets can be slightly less gentle with the curtain material nearest the floor.
In those homes, it’s best to select stronger, thicker materials that’ll take a little rough-handling in their stride.
Buying From The Wrong Made to Measure Curtains Company
While it’s hard to say precisely how many made-to-measure companies there are in the UK, we’d wager that the number runs into the thousands.
However, though you’ll have no trouble finding a made-to-measure curtains company happy to sell you curtains for your home or business, it’s important to remember that not all curtain companies are created equal. Ensuring you’re fully happy with your curtains, therefore, depends on buying from not just any made-to-measure curtains company, but the right company.
At Sewing House, we’ve been manufacturing quality, durable made-to-measure curtains from our Midlands workshop for over thirty years, and during that time have helped thousands of customers get the curtains of their dreams. With hundreds of designed fabrics to choose from, we’re confident that you can find the made-to-measure curtains that are perfect for your home.