What’s the difference — and what should you actually choose?

7

If you’ve started looking at curtains, you’ve probably already noticed:

👉 There are a lot of options
👉 And the terminology isn’t exactly clear

Ready made, made to measure, bespoke…
They all sound similar — but they’re very different in reality.

So here’s the straight explanation we give in the showroom.

👇 The quick answer

• Just need something quick and cheap? → Ready made

• Best balance of price + quality? → Tailored

• Want proper fitted curtains without the overwhelm? → Made to Measure

• Want full control over everything? → Bespoke

🧵 1️⃣ Ready Made Curtains

What they are

Off-the-shelf curtains in fixed sizes

👉 Designed around standard window sizes that haven’t really moved on much since the 60s

👍 Pros

• Cheapest option

• Available immediately

• Fine for temporary or rental situations

⚠️ Cons

• Rarely fit properly

• Limited fabric choice

• Often look “off” once hung

• Quality can vary massively

👉 At a pinch, they can work — but they’re rarely a perfect solution.

And it’s worth saying:

👉 There’s a big difference between decent ready made…
…and the really cheap stuff from places like IKEA, B&M or The Range.

🧵 2️⃣ Tailored Curtains (our sweet spot)

What they are

This is where things get interesting.

👉 Tailored curtains sit between ready made and full made to measure.

You’re choosing from:

• a carefully selected range of on-trend fabrics

• preset widths

• but finished exactly to your drop

👍 Why most people choose this

• Better fit than ready made

• Much better fabric quality

• More affordable than full made to measure

• Faster turnaround

👉 This is where you get that “proper curtain” look — without going all-in on cost.

⚠️ Trade-offs

To keep pricing sensible, there are some limits:

• Fewer lining options

• Fewer heading styles

• Set fabric collection

👉 But for most homes, that’s not a problem — it actually makes decisions easier.

🧵 3️⃣ Made to Measure Curtains

What they are

This is the next step up.

👉 Properly made curtains, built around your exact window and space.

🧠 The difference here

Instead of being overwhelmed by hundreds of fabric books…

👉 We’ve already done the hard work.

We use a curated selection from leading UK fabric houses, including:

• Fabric Box

• Prestigious Textiles

• Elements

(“fabric houses” is absolutely the right term, by the way 👍)

👍 Why this works well

• Proper made-to-fit curtains

• High-quality fabrics

• Simplified choices (no overwhelm)

• Keeps pricing more controlled than full bespoke

👉 This is ideal if you want something that feels considered — without disappearing into endless options.

🧵 4️⃣ Bespoke Curtains

What they are

👉 This is the you choose everything option.

• Face fabric

• Linings

• Headings

• Trimmings

• Accessories

🧵 What makes it different

• Made in UK workrooms

• Higher level of finish

• More attention to detail

• More complex designs possible

💡 Key benefit

👉 Our bespoke curtains include a track or pole at no extra cost

Which makes a big difference when comparing overall value.

🎯 Fabric choice

This is where things open up properly.

👉 An almost unlimited range of fabrics available from multiple suppliers — including:

• Clarke & Clarke

• Ashley Wilde

• iLiv

• Studio G

…and many more.

⚠️ What to be aware of

• Higher cost

• Longer lead times

• More decisions to make

👉 This is where you go when you want something exactly right, not just “nice”.

💷 So what do they cost?

👉 Final price depends on:

• size

• fabric

• lining

• heading style

🧠 What most people actually choose

👉 They come in thinking:

“I just want some curtains”

👉 Then land on:

Tailored or Made to Measure

Because that’s where:

• it fits properly

• it looks right

• it doesn’t feel overcomplicated

👍 Our honest advice

Don’t choose based on:

• price alone

• what you’ve seen online

• what sounds “premium”

👉 Choose based on:

• how important the room is

• how long you want them to last

• how much choice you actually want

🔗 Explore your options

• View our curtain collections

• See fabric ranges

• Compare with blinds options

👀 Not sure where to start?

Curtains are one of those things that are much easier when you can:

• see the fabrics

• feel the quality

• understand how they’ll hang

👉 We’ll guide you through it without overwhelming you.

👉 Book a home appointment and we’ll talk it through properly