Made to Measure Curtains: Guide, Costs & Irish Retailers

Standard curtain widths rarely match your actual window, and most off-the-shelf options max out around 228cm wide—while windows often span 150cm or more. That mismatch forces you into buying multiple pairs for full coverage, or accepting gaps and bunching. Made-to-measure curtains sidestep all that by fitting your exact opening. Whether you’re furnishing a period property in Dublin or a modern apartment in Cork, here’s what you need to know before committing.

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Is it worth getting curtains made to measure?

The trade-off comes down to money: made-to-measure costs more upfront, but you’re buying one pair that fits rather than two ready-made pairs that might not. Contrado custom curtains start at €65.81 with a 10-year guarantee, which puts the per-year cost of quality in perspective.

The implication: if you value a perfect fit and plan to stay in your home long-term, the upfront premium often pays off in durability and aesthetics.

Cost vs value comparison

Ready-made curtains typically range €30–100 per pair, but you may need two pairs to achieve full window coverage, especially for wider openings. Custom curtains from Irish retailers start around €65.81 and often include consultation and fitting in the service. The implication: if your windows are non-standard widths, one custom pair often costs less than two ready-made pairs that still don’t fit properly.

Know The Difference: Ready-Made vs Made-to-Measure Curtains

Ready-made curtains come in fixed width and drop combinations, sold as finished pairs. Made-to-measure curtains are cut and sewn to your exact measurements after ordering. Curtains Direct Ireland specializes in custom-made curtains with premium fabrics and headings, starting with precise measurements during free consultations.

Fit and customization

• Made-to-measure: Measured to your track width, stacking space, and exact drop
• Ready-made: Assumes standard drop measurements; may result in too-short or floor-sweeping lengths

Pricing differences

Ready-made curtains are cheaper per pair and ship immediately. Made-to-measure costs more but eliminates the return-and-reorder cycle that often makes ready-made the more expensive option long-term.

The pattern: Irish retailers have carved distinct service niches—some compete on price and speed, others on consultation quality and premium fabrics.

How much do custom made curtains cost?

Custom curtain pricing varies significantly by retailer and specification. Contrado custom curtains start at €65.81, discounted from €85.00, with a 10-year guarantee. Material World charges €1.50 per fabric sample with free delivery after the charge.

Living room estimates

For a typical living room window (150cm wide × 200cm drop), expect custom curtains to run €120–300 depending on fabric choice and lining requirements. Thermal and blackout linings from retailers like Sienna May Interiors add to the base price.

Factors affecting price

• Fabric choice (cotton vs silk vs blackout)
• Lining type (standard, thermal, blackout)
• Heading style (pencil pleat vs pinch pleat)
• Width and drop measurements
• Professional measuring and fitting

What this means: Hillarys includes measuring and fitting in all curtain services, which effectively bundles a €30–80 professional service into the overall price.

Do M&S do made to measure curtains?

Major UK retailers like M&S and Dunelm serve Irish customers through online ordering. Dunelm Ireland makes made-to-measure curtains for odd-sized windows with care from start to finish. For Irish-specific service, Curtains Direct Ireland offers nationwide free consultations across Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Wexford, and Kildare.

M&S buying guide

M&S offers made-to-measure options through their website, though availability and delivery to Ireland varies. For in-person consultation, Irish-focused retailers may provide better local support.

Other retailers like Next and Dunelm

Blinds 2go Ireland customer phone support at 01 969 7247 offers another route for Irish buyers. Curtains Direct phone contacts are (061) 355 974 and 087 633 1166. For premium fabric partnerships and in-store browsing, The Drapery Haus operates a physical store in Cork City.

The implication: Irish buyers who want in-home service should stick with Republic of Ireland-based retailers rather than UK-only options.

How do I measure for ready made curtains?

Even with ready-made curtains, accurate measuring prevents costly mistakes. The core steps are: identify your track or pole type, measure the full width (not just the glass), then measure from the ring underside to your desired drop point.

Eyelet width rules

For eyelet curtains, the fabric width should be approximately double your pole width to achieve proper gathering. Most eyelets sit 3–5cm from the top of the curtain, so factor this into your drop measurement.

Basic steps

1. Step 1: Measure your track or pole width from bracket to bracket
2. Step 2: Measure the drop from the ring underside to your preferred end point
3. Step 3: For ready-made, select the closest width to your pole width (two narrower panels work for narrower poles)
4. Step 4: Account for stacking space—the space curtains need when open, typically 15–20cm per side

What to watch: Most ready-made curtains are sold in standard drops of 137cm, 183cm, or 228cm. If your drop falls between standard sizes, round up rather than down.

Five Irish retailers, one pattern: free consultation services essentially eliminate the measuring guesswork and make made-to-measure comparable in effort to ready-made, just with better results.

Curtains Direct Ireland

Transform your living space with made to measure curtains, crafted especially to fit your unique style and window dimensions.

Material World

Our made to measure service is at the very essence of what we do; it’s where our skill and innovation truly shine.

Hillarys.ie

Measuring and fitting is always included with Hillarys for an end result you’ll love.

For Irish buyers, the decision breaks down simply: if your windows are standard widths and you’re renting, ready-made makes sense. If your windows are anything other than standard, or if you want thermal and blackout linings, made-to-measure pays off.

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