Measurements needed of your property room sizes and shapes

 Curtains

When you are buying curtains, you need to know the height and width of the room windows, inside the window for the wire for the net curtain.

I made a mistake in a bedroom at the front of the house. I ordered net curtains. They had holes large enough for somebody outside to see in.

If you want a pretty, see-through curtain go for what is described as net. If you want privacy, go for what is described as voile.

You can order a larger size white net or white voile curtain if you hang it over the window from above. A smaller curtain could be hung lower like a cafe net. 

A flat edge enables you to cut off the bottom to make it shorter, or turn it up with a wide hem which can be machine sewn or sewn across in a hurry using a white cotton and running stitch.  When you have time, go over this with shorter stitches or a second row on top or parallel.

However, if the curtain has a scalloped lower edge, it may be see-through on the window ledge, or you would spoil the effect if you cut it. 

At the top, you might be able to turn down a fold to shorten the curtain, in a place which is not so visible if above eye height. However, the curtain design might have a channel for the curtain wire at the top. Some curtains have a series of three or more at the top which enables you to adjust the height. 

Do not measure only one window. In my bay windows the central fixed window glass panel has longer glass. The two windows on both sides facing forwards to the street are shorter because the opening windows have a wide frame on all four sides to allow for the handle on the inside. The result is that a curtain which is long enough to cover the outside two windows is short on the central window.

Shutters

You need the measurements inside the window frame, and outside. In the UK windows often open outwards. This prevents you from having a Venetian type shutter closed outside with vents apart for ventilation and privacy whilst the windows are open. In France and Italy and Spain and Europe the glass windows open into the house which takes up space and allows you to clean the outside of the window more safely standing inside. You can keep the glass part open whilst closing the stronger wooden shutter across the window against burglars and snoopers, which will also prevent them from knowing that the glass window is open or ajar. It is a double burglar deterrent and delay.

I discovered this in London when I wanted to buy pretty shutters for the outside of the house. I wondered why you could not buy them in the UK. I thought of buying them online or when on holiday in France. 

You need wide same size gaps both sides of the window when the shutters are completely open. 

You need inward-opening glass windows, which the UK property did not have.

Room Size and Furniture

Note the height when choosing fridge freezers for the kitchen. Note the projection when choosing boilers, which have pipework at the back.

Note the room shapes and window position when choosing beds and wardrobes, check sizes of rooms. It helps to have a floor plan of the room on the computer. The porperty agent (UK terminology estate agent), may have the floor plan.

Bed Sizes

The disadvantage of the kingsize bed is that you will have more trouble finding big enough fitted sheets and sheet sets. You also need a third pillow or bigger pillows. The tenants might already have smaller bedding which does not fit.