Custom outdoor curtains are a beautiful way to add shade, privacy, softness, and style to your patio, porch, pergola, gazebo, cabana, or covered outdoor living space. Measuring is simple when you take it step by step, and accurate measurements help your curtains look tailored, hang properly, and provide the coverage you need.
Outdoor spaces are often more open and less standard than indoor windows, so taking good measurements is important before ordering custom outdoor curtains.
Before You Start
Use a metal measuring tape for the most accurate results. Measure where your curtain rod or hardware will be installed, not just the opening itself. If your project includes multiple openings, label each one clearly, such as “Pergola Front,” “Porch Side,” or “Patio Opening.”
Step 1: Measure the Width
Measure the width of your curtain rod or the full span of the space you want to cover. This may be the distance between pergola posts, porch columns, patio beams, gazebo openings, or a covered patio opening.
For proper fullness, multiply the finished coverage width by 1.5 to 2 times. This helps outdoor curtain panels gather naturally instead of looking flat.
Example: If your opening is 100 inches wide, you may want 150 to 200 inches of total curtain width.
Tip: If ordering multiple panels, divide the total curtain width by the number of panels you want.
Measuring Curtain Width With An Inside Mount
Measuring Curtain Width With An Outside Mount
Step 2: Measure the Length
Measure from the top of the curtain rod down to where you want the curtain to end. For most outdoor curtains, we recommend stopping the panel about ½ inch above the highest point on the floor or surface.
This clearance helps reduce wear on the bottom hem and helps keep the curtains from collecting dirt, moisture, or debris on patios, pool decks, porches, pergolas, and other outdoor areas.
Step 3: Consider the Curtain Top Style
Your curtain top style can affect how you measure. Outdoor curtains may be made with grommets, tab tops, back tabs, rod pockets, or other custom options.
- For tab top, back tab, or rod pocket curtains, measure from the top of the rod to your desired finished length.
- For grommet curtains, the curtain usually hangs slightly below the rod because of the grommet placement. Add approximately 1 inch to the measured length for this style.
Step 4: Measure Each Opening Separately
Pergolas, patios, porches, and gazebos are not always perfectly square. Even if two openings look the same, they may measure differently.
Measure each outdoor curtain opening separately and write down the width and length for each section. This is especially important for pergolas with multiple sides, covered patios with columns, porch openings, cabanas, gazebos, outdoor kitchens, and lounge areas.
Step 5: Think About Function
Before ordering, consider how you want the curtains to work in your space. Are they mainly for privacy, shade, wind protection, decorative softness, or a combination of these?
If you want the curtains to close fully across an opening, allow enough width for fullness and coverage. If they will mostly stay open and frame the space, you may prefer fewer panels or a lighter gathered look.
For extra-wide outdoor spaces, custom widths often create the cleanest and most balanced appearance.
Why Custom Outdoor Curtains Are Worth It
Outdoor spaces are rarely one-size-fits-all. Custom outdoor curtains allow you to choose the right width, length, fabric, color, and top style for your exact patio, porch, pergola, gazebo, cabana, or covered outdoor area.
With the right measurements, your outdoor curtains will look more finished, function better, and feel like they were made specifically for your home.
Need Help Measuring?
If you are unsure how to measure your patio, porch, pergola, gazebo, or outdoor curtain project, Patio Lane is happy to help. Send us photos of your space along with your approximate measurements, and our team can help guide you through the process.
Taking a few extra minutes to measure carefully helps ensure your custom outdoor curtains fit beautifully when they arrive.
Call Patio Lane at 727-498-0547 or email support@patiolane.com for help with your custom outdoor curtain project.
