How to Measure for Bay Window Blinds

There’s something mesmerising about the visual geometry of bay window blinds which make them as popular as they are. Be it vertical, venetian or roller blinds each offer a stunning aesthetic to your window.

Although the dimensions of a bay window may seem like a challenging task when it comes to measuring it for blinds, once you get into the swing of it, it’s really quite straightforward.

When considering made-to-measure blinds for bay windows, it’s crucial to get the best fit possible. Therefore, to give you an expert helping hand, we’ve put together the following tips.

Here’s our handy guide to get you started for measuring blinds for bay windows:

1. Check your bay window for blind suitability

Before you get carried away envisaging your dream bay window blinds, you should check that your bay window can accommodate them.

Window handles, air vents or any other feature that may stick out and complicate matters need to be considered. Such obstructions should be measured by making a note of the distance between the front of the window frame and the outer edge of the intruding object. It’s best to check each obstruction separately and note down each measurement. Hopefully, they won’t intrude too far and complicate your bay window blinds installation.

2. Order some samples

You don’t have to do this, of course, but having the right blind in mind can be useful. Naturally, you’ll want to make sure everything fits perfectly but the style, colour or pattern will be paramount to the final finish too.

Once you’re happy with the look, you can begin to consider the all-important measurements.

3. Equip yourself with the right tools

If DIY is not your forte, don’t worry. It may be that you have to borrow from a friend or dig through an old draw, but you won’t need anything too unfamiliar. Here’s all you need:

Quality Steel Tape Measure
Pencil or Pen
Notepad
Card
Scissors

4. Measuring for angled bay window blinds

Angled bay windows tend to be trickier to measure, so we thought this would be the best place to begin. An angled bay window looks like this:

5. Measuring blind headrail depth

Our different blind types have differing headrail depths. It’s important you make a note of the type of blind you want and its headrail depth from the table before continuing.

Once you are confident of your chosen blind style, headrail depth and any obstructions, you can begin to consider and measure where to mount your bay window blind. These things could impact the smooth ‘up and down’ movement of your blind, so it’s important that they are considered beforehand.

6. Measuring length for angled bay window blinds

This measurement is often known as the ‘drop’. This is a measurement to determine how long your blinds need to be.

Our suggestion is that you measure each individual window, from the top of the recess, in 3 different places (left, right and centre). This will help you determine the most accurate measurement. When you come to submitting your measurements, use the smallest one and issue it in centimetres.

7. Measuring width for angled bay window blinds

Hopefully, your windowsills will help with measuring the width required for your blinds. However, follow our advice carefully because the last thing you want is for your blinds to overlap or foul one another!

We would advise creating cardboard cutouts to use as measuring guides.

8. Measuring for square and box window blinds

If your bay window looks like the one below, it’s known as a square or box window. The techniques for measuring angled bay windows form above can be applied here though, so don’t panic.

You will notice that your window is recessed into your wall, therefore making the measuring process that bit easier. Simply measure the width of each frame within the bay. Now accommodate for the headrail depth of your chosen blind to ensure there’s plenty of room for the blind mechanism to operate.

Again, you will need to measure the drop. Take multiple measurements (left, right and centre) and record the smallest for each section of your bay window.

9. Check your measurements

It may seem an obvious thing to do but often your measurements can get lost amongst scribbles, doodles or design ideas. Check that there are no obscure looking measurements that seem out of place. If you do think you’ve made a mistake, it’s always better to measure again than to second guess. The last thing you want is to supply us with incorrect measurements and receive blinds that don’t fit!