20 ready made curtains that take the faff out of window dressing
'As anyone who has ever set their heart on a fabric, measured the windows and found a seamstress can tell you, getting curtains made can be a bit of a faff and quite a commitment,' says Rémy Mishon, House & Garden’s Assistant Decoration Editor.
An easy way to make your house cosy for the colder months is by reassessing your window dressing–but don't think it's a harder task than it actually is. In days gone by, you were given two options: the eye-wateringly expensive bespoke goblet heading or the shiny beige poly-cotton from a packet. Thankfully, things in the world of interior design have changed for the better and ready-made curtains are a lot more fun and adventurous than they once were, with delicious fabrics, pretty prints and stylish attachment and tie back choices. Whether they’re for your bedroom, living room, kitchen or even the bathroom, curtains have the power to bring together a room and really add the finishing touch. One thing to bear in mind though, is that most ready-made curtains do not come with a curtain pole, so you will need to find something complementary and of the correct length.
There is also a third option now, with many retailers offering a near bespoke service. John Lewis offers a “made to measure in seven days” service which is particularly good. You can browse from a choice of over five hundred different designs and, once selected, their textile mill in Lancashire will create them to your exact specifications. Naturally, this service is on the more expensive side. If this sounds more akin to what you are after, read our guide to all the different terminology you should know first.
Best ready made curtains, at a glance
Best for affordable linen: H&M Home Two Pack Linen Blend Curtains
Best for timeless tradition: William Morris Willow Bough Curtains
Best for keeping out draughts: Marks and Spencer Velvet Pencil Pleat Thermal Curtains
How do you choose ready made curtains?
There are huge practicality benefits of buying ready made curtains, but ahead of purchasing make sure you consider what you want, and which type of curtains suits you best:
- If they’re for a bedroom, blackout curtains can be useful–especially in British summer time. Although if you fall in love with a thin pair of curtains, black out lining can be added to them.
- If you live in an old house with single glazing, or you’re renting and don’t have double glazing, thermal curtains can be a good idea as they help to keep the heat in.
- Linen curtains look lovely and fresh but the thickness can vary a lot so make sure you look at them with the light behind them to ensure they are fit for purpose.
- Voile curtains are the modern answer to net curtains, and provide privacy without blocking out daylight.
- Patterned and colourful curtains can really bring warmth and life to even the plainest of rooms–so they are particularly good for rentals where you may not be at liberty to change the wall colour.
Where the best place to buy curtains?
Plenty of our favourite online furniture shops, from high street to high end, offer lovely ready-made curtains. La Redoute are great for a wide range of curtains that aren’t painfully expensive. H&M offer surprisingly great quality linen curtains: they’re weighty and look lovely. Anthropologie’s curtains are more unusual, with trims and patterns that you won’t necessarily find elsewhere. On the top end of the scale, House of Hackney create joyous, maximalist curtains and their service is excellent. Caravane also have a lovely offering of crisp and colourful linens.
What are the standard sizes of ready made curtains?
Curtains are measured by width first, followed by the drop. Unfortunately, there isn't a standardised size, rather each brand offering their own standard. Bear in mind that the width refers to the flat width of the curtain so if you want that gathered look when closed, make sure to double the width of your pole.
What size curtains do I need for my window?
The golden rule of measuring is to measure everything twice. For curtains you will need to figure out the width and length of your window and then decide how wide and long you want you curtains to be. Traditionally, curtains sit higher than your window, and they will look right anywhere between 10 and 40cm above, depending on preference. The drop of the curtain is entirely down to your choice too. Some designers like to have reams of fabric gathered at the base of the curtain, others like the curtain to end just at the floor.
Scroll on for House & Garden's edit of the best ready-made curtains to buy now.
