How To Measure for Roman Shades

Measuring for roman shades can sometimes seem stressful, but it’s usually rather simple. Outside mounted shades are slightly easier to measure for, since you may have a little more wiggle room sizing. Inside mount shades need to be a bit more precise with the measuring, since it needs to fit inside the window nicely and not let too much light gaps show on the sides and bottoms. The good news is, both inside and outside mounted shades are pretty easy to measure for following our measuring tips and we are always here to help answer any of your measuring questions! You can also send us some photos to ask us if you’re measuring correctly, if you’d like. The other good news is that many times we are able to make adjustments to shades if ever you made a mistake measuring and need the shade adjusted. We do have about an 8” folded hem on the sides and about a 4” hem on the bottom of our roman shades, so this allows for us to easily take hems out for any fixes that may be needed do to a sizing error.

Sew Lovely roman shades can be mounted inside or outside.  They can also be mounted on the top of your window casing, on the wall, or on the ceiling if you'd like.  You may need additional hardware if you choose to mount it that way.  Accurate measuring is key to good blackout coverage.  Please send me a photo if you need some help measuring. You may also wish to hire someone to measure for you if you aren’t confident about your measuring.

Important reminder… We don’t add or subtract anything from the measurement you give us for the finished shade size. So if you’d like an inside mount, please subtract 1/4” or so from actual width. If doing outside mount, please add inches and give us that number. Normally, people add about 3-4 inches to the width and length for outside mount. You don’t need to account for any mounting hardware for inside mounted shades, as the shades just drill directly up into the casing. If mounting on the wall, above trim, please measure from at least 3-4” above trim (4”ore more, if doing cordless shades, outside mount).

You May Want To Choose Inside Mount If: You May Want To Choose Outside Mount If:

Windows deeper than 1 1/2” Shallow Windows, less than 1 1/2”

Nice trim around windows to expose Old Trim that you prefer to cover

You have curtains installed in same window Need more Blackout Coverage

Fairly confident in your measurements being accurate Your Measurements often do not have to be as accurate

Works for both cordless or corded roman shades Best for only corded roman shades

Board size- We use 1 x 2 (actual is about 3/4 x 1 3/4”)

Corded and Cordless Inside mount- 1 3/4” projection

Corded Outside mount- 3/4” projection

Cordless Outside mount- 1 3/4” projection (no side returns on these (meaning the metal hardware will be seen from the side views on the back side)

Hardware

We supply 1 5/8” screws. No brackets are required, normally. You drill the board right into the frame or wall/trim. If you’re doing outside mounted cordless shades, you may need to supply your own brackets.

We do not add a return to the ends of the shades. The wood is wrapped on the ends, either with the provided fabric (if not too thick and given we have enough material, OR just plain white or beige fabric to coordinate with your shade fabric).

OUTSIDE MOUNTED ROMAN SHADES

Installed outside the window casing, directly on the wall or molding, outside mount shades usually provide more coverage and privacy and are the ideal choice for blackout shades.  On corded shades, the wood is mounted so that it is only about a 3/4" projection when mounted, which is rather flush with the window. All cordless roman shades have a little big of a larger projection than corded shades, at about 1 3/4” deep. For outside mounted shades, you can mount the shade on the wall above the top trim or on the trim itself. The finished shade needs to be larger than the inside of the window casing and the glass.  For width, measure across covering all of the trim or some of the trim. it’s personal preference. You can leave none of the trim exposed, or you can have some trim exposed. The width you provide to us will be the exact size we make the shade. We do not add anything to the measurements given to us. To measure the shade length, decide if you’d like to mount the shade on the trim itself or on the wall, above the trim. Measure from that position and down to window sill. This will be the length.

Important: If mounting above the window trim on the wall, please measure at least 4” above the trim to make sure the wood fits and the hardware has clearance and does not hit the trim.

INSIDE MOUNTED ROMAN SHADES (Best for corded, cordless shades or continuous cord romances shades)

Inside Mount Shades are installed inside the window casing. This is a clean look and is nice if you have nice moldings and trim to be exposed.  For our CORDED roman shades, the wood is rotated so it is about 1 1/2 " deep into the casing for corded roman shades. Our CORDLESS roman shades have about a 1 1/2” projection. If you'd like the shade to mount INSIDE your window, please provide us with the exact measurement of the window, length and width (exact, minus 1/4”) (not the glass but the actual window casing against inside the frame and around the glass).   Be sure to subtract about 1/4" from the actual width so it is not too tight.  Measure at the very top where the board will go and use that width (smallest measurement) The shade will fit snug inside the window frame. For corded roman shades, your casing should be at least 1 1/2" deep for the roman shade to fit properly and not stick out.  If you have a very shallow casing you may wish to do an outside mount option and stick to our corded roman shades. We do not do deductions for inside mount roman shades. So the size you give to us will be the exact size the shade will be.

Measuring for Cornice Boards

Measure the entire width of your window, including the trim. The cornice will mount on the wall, right next to the trim.

Add 6" to the width IF you have curtains underneath and need to allow the space for the rods etc.

Add 4" to the width if you currently have nothing on your window or have inside mounted blinds/shades.

When ordering, select the final width (from the calculation above) from the drop down menu.

If you'd like a larger cornice than the options listed, please email me with measurements and the state that you live in so I can give you a quote and estimate shipping costs. Large cornices, over 48", will have 2 seams in the fabric but the pattern will be matched up nicely so it will not be obvious.