Whether you're refreshing a living room, dressing a bedroom window, or adding warmth to a dining space, ready made curtains offer an affordable, stylish, and instantly available solution. This guide covers everything — from sizing and fabrics to hanging tips and where to shop for the best ready made curtains online and in-store.
Walk into any home furnishing store or browse any interiors website, and the sheer variety of ready made curtains available today can feel overwhelming. The good news? Once you understand the key factors — standard sizes, fabric weights, lining options, and heading styles — choosing the right ready made curtains for your home becomes surprisingly straightforward. Let's dive in.
01 What Are Ready Made Curtains?
Ready made curtains offer instant style in standard sizes
Ready made curtains are pre-sewn window treatments manufactured in a range of standard sizes, available off the shelf — online or in stores — without the wait or cost of bespoke tailoring. Unlike made-to-measure curtains, which are cut and sewn to your exact window dimensions, ready made curtains are produced in fixed drop lengths and widths designed to suit the most common window sizes.
The appeal of ready made curtains is threefold: they're significantly more affordable than custom alternatives, available immediately (no weeks-long lead time), and they come in an enormous variety of fabrics, patterns, and heading styles. In recent years, the quality and design range of ready made curtains has improved dramatically — making them the go-to choice for both budget-conscious homeowners and interior design enthusiasts.
According to interior design surveys, over 70% of UK homeowners opt for ready made curtains rather than bespoke options — primarily for their cost-effectiveness and instant availability.
02 Ready Made Curtains Sizes: Understanding Standard Dimensions
One of the most important things to understand before buying ready made curtains is standard sizing. Unlike custom curtains, you're working with fixed dimensions — so knowing how they translate to your windows is essential.
| Drop Length | Best Suited For | Typical Use | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54" (137cm) | Small windows, sill-length | Kitchens, bathrooms | |
| 72" (183cm) | Standard below-sill | Bedrooms, hallways | Popular |
| 90" (229cm) | Floor-length, 8ft ceilings | Living rooms, dining rooms | Most Popular |
| 108" (274cm) | Floor-length, high ceilings | Grand rooms, period homes |
Always measure from the curtain rod to the floor, not from the window frame. For a full, gathered look, each ready made curtain panel should cover 1.5–2× its listed width. A "90×90" ready made curtain panel is 90 inches wide and 90 inches long.
03 Key Benefits of Choosing Ready Made Curtains
Today's ready made curtains come in premium fabrics that rival custom-made alternatives
Instant Availability
Order today, hang tomorrow. Ready made curtains have no lead time — ideal when you need a quick room refresh.
Cost-Effective
Ready made curtains cost 60–80% less than equivalent made-to-measure options, without sacrificing style.
Vast Design Range
From plain linens to bold botanicals, the variety of ready made curtains available rivals custom collections.
Easy to Replace
Seasonal updates or décor changes are simple and affordable when you're working with ready made curtains.
Alterable
Most ready made curtains can be hemmed shorter. A good pair of scissors and basic sewing skill can tailor the fit.
Eco Options Available
Many brands now offer ready made curtains in organic cotton, recycled polyester, and certified sustainable fabrics.
04 Best Fabrics for Ready Made Curtains
The fabric is the single most important factor in determining how your ready made curtains perform and look. Here's a breakdown of the most popular materials:
Linen & Cotton Ready Made Curtains
Natural fibres remain the most popular choice for ready made curtains. Linen offers an organic texture and beautiful drape, letting light filter softly. Cotton is crisper and more structured, taking dye beautifully for rich, consistent colour. Both are breathable and suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining spaces. Look for pre-washed versions if shrinkage is a concern.
Velvet Ready Made Curtains
For a touch of luxury, velvet ready made curtains deliver maximum impact. Their weight means they hang with authority and naturally block more light and sound. Velvet ready made curtains are ideal for living rooms and bedrooms where you want drama and warmth. They're particularly effective in jewel tones — deep teal, navy, emerald, and burgundy.
Blackout & Thermal Ready Made Curtains
Perhaps the fastest-growing category in ready made curtains, blackout options are essential for bedrooms, nurseries, and home cinemas. Many now come with an integrated thermal lining, making them energy-efficient as well as light-blocking. Modern blackout ready made curtains come in attractive fabrics — not the stiff, cheap-looking options of a decade ago.
Sheer & Voile Ready Made Curtains
Sheer ready made curtains are perfect for creating a light, airy feel while maintaining a degree of privacy. They work best layered with heavier curtains, giving you full control over light and privacy at different times of day. Voile panels in white or soft grey are a timeless, versatile choice.
05 Ready Made Curtains Styles: Heading Types Explained
Eyelet / Grommet
Metal rings sewn into the header. Modern, clean, slides easily. The most popular heading on ready made curtains today.
Pencil Pleat
Classic gathered look. Very versatile — works with most pole and track systems. Traditional feel.
Tab Top
Fabric loops at the top. Relaxed, casual look — ideal for linen and cotton ready made curtains.
Pinch Pleat
Formal, tailored pleats. The most structured look — great for traditional or grand interiors.
06 How to Hang Ready Made Curtains for Maximum Impact
Hanging ready made curtains high and wide makes any room feel taller and more spacious
Even the most beautiful ready made curtains can look underwhelming if hung incorrectly. Follow these professional tips to get the best results:
- ✓Hang high: Mount your curtain pole 4–6 inches above the window frame, or closer to the ceiling for a dramatic, elongated effect. This trick works for any ready made curtain length.
- ✓Hang wide: Extend the pole 8–12 inches beyond the window on each side. When your ready made curtains are open, the full window is exposed — maximising light.
- ✓Go floor-length: Even if your ready made curtains are hung above a radiator, choose a drop that reaches the floor. The visual continuity makes rooms look larger.
- ✓Double up: Layer sheer ready made curtains behind a heavier panel for a designer look that also gives maximum light-control flexibility.
- ✓Steam before hanging: Ready made curtains often arrive with packaging creases. A quick steam iron — or even hanging in a steamy bathroom — removes wrinkles beautifully.
07 Where to Buy the Best Ready Made Curtains
The market for ready made curtains has never been better. Whether you're looking for cheap ready made curtains for a rental or premium options for a forever home, here's where to shop:
For high street options, John Lewis & Partners consistently scores highest for quality ready made curtains in the UK, with an extensive range from blackout to sheer. For budget-friendly ready made curtains, IKEA's curtain collection offers great value with minimalist Scandinavian styling.
For design-led ready made curtains online, Dunelm offers one of the UK's largest ready made curtain ranges, from velvet to voile. In the US, Wayfair's curtain selection is unmatched in breadth, offering thousands of ready made curtains across every style and price point. For styling inspiration before you buy, Houzz's ready made curtains gallery is an invaluable resource.
08 Frequently Asked Questions About Ready Made Curtains
Ready Made Curtains: Your Smartest Home Décor Investment
Ready made curtains have never offered better value, quality, or design variety. Whether you're furnishing a new home, refreshing a tired room, or finally doing something about those bare windows, investing in the right ready made curtains will transform your space — instantly and affordably. Use the sizing guide, fabric tips, and retailer recommendations in this guide to shop with confidence.
Browse Ready Made Curtains →