Most curtain returns happen because of wrong measurements, colors that look different in person, or buyers realizing they ordered the wrong length after hanging them up. This checklist helps you catch those mistakes before you buy.

Download checklist.

1. Collect Your Room Measurements

What to measure:

• Window width (outside of frame, left edge to right edge)
• Window height (top of frame to bottom)
• Window frame depth (if considering inside mount)
• Ceiling to top of window frame (tells you where to mount the rod)
• Window sill to floor (helps decide curtain length)
• Wall space on each side (how far you can extend the rod)

Pro Tip: Use a metal tape measure, not fabric. Round up to the nearest half-inch. If you have multiple windows in the same room, measure each one separately.

Your curtain rod should extend 4-8 inches beyond each side of the window frame so curtains can stack back fully when open.

→ Measurement Guide

2. Collect Your Room Details

Information you need:

• Room function (bedroom / living room / kitchen / bathroom / dining room)
• Window direction (north / south / east / west)
• Peak sunlight hours (morning / afternoon / all day / minimal)
• Wall color
• Main furniture colors (sofa, bed, chairs)
• Decor style (modern / traditional / farmhouse / coastal / eclectic)

Pro Tip: Take photos of your room. Use them to match curtain samples against your actual walls and furniture.

3. Determine Privacy and Light Control

Privacy level:

• None (faces backyard, high floor, no neighbors)
• Daytime open, nighttime closed (most living rooms)
• Always closed (ground-floor bedroom, bathroom)

Light control:

• Sheer (diffuses light, basically no privacy)
• Light filtering (softens light, some privacy during day)
• Room darkening (blocks 95% of light, good privacy)
• Blackout (blocks 99%+ of light, total privacy)

Additional functions:

• Thermal insulation (saves on heating/cooling)
• Noise reduction (helpful near busy streets)

Pro Tip: Blackout curtains won't make your room pitch black if light leaks around the edges. For true darkness, you need proper sealing or layered window treatments. Thermal curtains help with energy costs on single-pane windows or drafty older homes. Don't expect major savings elsewhere.

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4. Check Safety and Maintenance Needs

Household safety:

• Young children in home (age: ___)
• Pets in home (type: ___)
• Need cordless design

Maintenance:

• Curtains will touch floor (collects dust, pet hair)
• Need machine washable fabric (vs dry clean only)
• Kitchen or bathroom curtains (need moisture-resistant)
• High-traffic area

Pro Tip: Grommet or ring clip styles are easier to take down for washing than rod pocket curtains. In kitchens, keep curtains at least 3 inches above countertops and away from the stove (fire hazard).

5. Choose Length and Hanging Style

Length:

• Sill length (bottom touches window sill) - Kitchens, bathrooms, windows above radiators
• Apron length (hangs 4-6 inches below sill) - Casual spaces, traditional homes
• Floor length (bottom hovers ½-1 inch above floor) - Most living rooms and bedrooms
• Puddle length (extra 2-6 inches pools on floor) - Formal spaces with no pets or kids

Hanging style:

• Rod pocket - classic, hard to slide, hard to wash
• Grommet - easy to slide, creates permanent waves
• Tab top - casual look, harder to slide than grommet
• Ring clips - easiest to wash, clips show from outside
• Back tabs - clean appearance, requires specific rod types

Pro Tip: Floor-length makes ceilings look higher. Sill-length often looks unfinished in living rooms.

6. Choose Color and Fullness

Color:

• Neutral solid (white, cream, gray, beige) - safe, easy to change
• Match wall color - makes room feel larger, less contrast
• Contrast color - adds visual interest, becomes focal point
• Pattern or print - adds personality, harder to redecorate around

Fullness:

• 1.5x window width - minimal pleating, modern streamlined
• 2x window width - standard fullness, balanced look
• 2.5x+ window width - lots of pleating, more formal

7. Set Your Budget and Timeline

You need 2 panels per window. A $30 panel becomes $60 per window. Then add 20% for rods and hardware. Custom curtains aren't always worth it. If your windows are standard sizes (63", 84", 95", or 108" height), ready-made saves you money and time.

Budget:

• Per window budget: ___
• Total budget (all windows): ___
• Includes rod and hardware? (yes / no)
• Includes installation? (yes / no / DIY)

Timeline:

• Need them: (immediately / 1-2 weeks / 1 month / flexible)
• Ready-made or custom? Ready-made: ships now, limited sizes; Custom: 2-6 weeks, exact fit
• Installation: (DIY / professional $50-150 per window)

Pro Tip: Installation seems easy until you hit a wall stud in the wrong place or your wall is plaster instead of drywall. Hire someone if you're not confident with a drill.

8. Calculate What You Need to Buy

Shopping list:

• Curtain panels: ___ (usually 2 per window)
• Curtain rods: ___ Length: window width + 8-16 inches; Style: standard / decorative / tension / magnetic
• Rod brackets: ___ (usually 2-3 per rod)
• Mounting hardware: screws, anchors, toggle bolts
• Curtain rings or clips: ___ (one ring every 4-6 inches of rod length)
• Finials: ___ (decorative end caps, 2 per rod)
• Tiebacks or holdbacks: ___ (optional, 2 per window)

How many panels?

Window width × 2 (for proper fullness) ÷ width of one panel.
Example: Window is 48" wide. You want 2x fullness = 96" of fabric. Each panel is 50" wide. 96 ÷ 50 = 1.92, round up to 2 panels.

Rod length:

Window width + 8 to 16 inches total (4-8 inches per side). This lets curtains stack back off the glass when open.

Pro Tip: For windows over 60" wide, you need 4 panels (2 per side) to get proper fullness without buying custom extra-wide panels.

9. Final Checks Before Ordering

• Read return policy
• Check if custom orders can be returned (usually no)
• Verify ship time
• Order samples if available
• All measurements saved
• Photos of room saved
• Installation method confirmed (wall mount vs ceiling mount)
• Hardware compatible with curtain style

Watch out for:

• Listings that say "one curtain" but mean one panel (you need two)
• Assuming "ivory" and "cream" are the same color (they're not)
• Rods and hardware sold separately
• Color accuracy on screens - order fabric swatches if you're picky

Related Guides:

Curtains 101: Complete Beginner's Guide

Curtains vs Blinds vs Shades: Which Window Treatment Is Right for You?

How to Choose Curtains: A Step-by-Step Decision Framework