Curtains to the Ceiling: How to Calculate Fabric and Not Miss
When clients come to us with photos from Pinterest and ask for 'ceiling-to-floor curtains,' I always ask: what kind of curtain rod do you have, and how much fabric have you already bought? Most often, it turns out the fabric was bought 'by eye' and there isn't enough, or conversely, unused meters remain. In this article, I'll explain how to accurately calculate fabric consumption for ceiling-to-floor curtains so you don't overpay or have to run for extra fabric.
Why ceiling-to-floor curtains are not just stylish but also practical
Ceiling-to-floor curtains visually increase the room's height and hide window opening irregularities. At Azhur, we sew such curtains for apartments in Almaty with ceiling heights from 2.5 to 3.2 meters — and it always gives that 'expensive renovation' effect. The main thing is to measure the length and width correctly.
How to measure curtain height
Curtain height from the rod to the floor minus 1-2 cm so the fabric doesn't lie on the floor. If the rod is mounted to the ceiling, measure from ceiling to floor. If to the wall, measure from the bottom edge of the rod. Example: ceiling 2.7 m, rod 5 cm below ceiling, so curtain height = 270 - 5 - 2 = 263 cm. Add allowances for hemming at the bottom (10 cm) and top (5 cm for grommets or 8 cm for curtain tape). Total: 263 + 10 + 5 = 278 cm — this is the cut length for one curtain.
Calculating width: gathering factor and pattern repeat
Curtain width depends on the rod length and desired fullness. The gathering factor is the number you multiply the rod length by. For tulle — 1.5–2, for drapes — 1.5–2.5. For ceiling-to-floor curtains, I recommend 2 for beautiful folds.
Accounting for pattern repeat
If the fabric has a large pattern (repeat 30–60 cm), you need extra for matching. Formula: (curtain height + allowances) / repeat, round up, multiply by repeat. Example: height 278 cm, repeat 45 cm: 278 / 45 = 6.18 → 7 repeats × 45 = 315 cm — this is the length of one panel including pattern. Without repeat, it would be 278 cm, a difference of 37 cm per curtain.
Example calculation for two curtains
- Rod: 3 meters, factor 2, width of two curtains = 6 meters. Divide by 2 = 3 meters per curtain.
- Height with allowances: 278 cm (with repeat 315 cm).
- Total fabric: 2 × 3.15 = 6.3 meters. Without repeat — 2 × 2.78 = 5.56 meters. Difference 0.74 m — better to take extra.
Fabric consumption table for standard windows
For your convenience, I've compiled a table for typical windows in Almaty (ceiling height 2.7 m, rod under ceiling, factor 2).
| Rod width | Number of curtains | Fabric consumption (without repeat) | Fabric consumption (with repeat 45 cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 m | 2 | 5.56 m | 6.30 m |
| 3 m | 2 | 8.34 m | 9.45 m |
| 4 m | 2 | 11.12 m | 12.60 m |
Prices for sewing at Azhur: simple curtains on tape — from 3,500 ₸ per linear meter, on grommets — from 5,000 ₸. You can buy fabric from us or bring your own.
Common mistakes in calculation and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is not accounting for hem allowances and fabric shrinkage. Cotton and linen shrink up to 5% after washing, so I recommend adding 10–15 cm to the height. The second mistake is buying fabric exactly to the width: if the rod is 3 m and you bought 3 m of fabric, the curtains will be stretched tight like a string. The third is forgetting about the pattern repeat, especially on expensive fabrics.
Tips for choosing fabric
- For the bedroom: blackout (density 280–320 g/m²) — blocks light, price from 2,500 ₸/m.
- For the living room: jacquard or satin — solid, price from 3,000 ₸/m.
- For the kitchen: polyester with coating — easy to wash, from 1,500 ₸/m.
At our atelier, you can order a consultation on fabric selection — I help clients calculate the exact yardage right on the spot.
What to remember
Calculating fabric for ceiling-height curtains is simple math: height with allowances, width with a factor of 2, plus allowance for pattern repeat and shrinkage. Don't skimp on allowances and always buy fabric with a 10–15% margin.
- Measure the height from the rod to the floor minus 1–2 cm.
- Gathering factor for drapes — 2, for tulle — 1.5–2.
- Add 10–15 cm for shrinkage and hemming.
- Account for the pattern repeat — better to overpay for an extra meter than to run out of fabric.
Related service: Curtain Tailoring