Soft Furnishings

When ordering your Made to Measure curtains online, you will need to provide the width of your curtain track (measure from end to end) or pole (measure the space between the two finials), and then the desired length of your curtains. If you do not have a pole or track in place, measure the window itself and add an overlap of 200-300mm at each side for the width and above the window for the drop. We will then take care of any calculations needed depending on the type of curtain you are ordering. Please do not provide us with measurements of the fabric width.

For full details on how to measure your curtains, please ensure you read our full guide which includes a helpful video.

When ordering your Made to Measure shades online, simply follow the below steps to ensure accuracy.

1. Only use a metal measuring tape and record your measurements in inches.
2. Measurements must be accurate for a perfect fit. We will make the necessary allowances to ensure the shade fits the window/door*
3. Decide on how you want the shade fitted – ‘Inside Mount’ is within the window/door frame or ‘Outside Mount’ is to your desired point on the wall outside of the window/door frame. If you are opting for a blackout shade and you would like it to sit as close to the wall as possible, we advise that you order an ‘Outside Mount’ fit shade instead of a ‘Inside Mount’ shade.
4. Always measure the width first (across the window) and then the drop (top to bottom) in 3 places.
5. Record your measurements in the same order.
6. Look for any obstructions such as handles and ensure you leave enough room in front and there is enough space for the shade to fit into the Inside Mount.
7. Finally, re-check your width and drop measurements to ensure accuracy.

Your width measurement is the total product width including the mechanism.

We offer various lining options for our made to measure curtains and roman shades. Each has its own practical properties while also enhancing the overall look and feel.

Our lightweight lining is the most affordable option and is used solely to enhance and give your main fabric a backing, helping to protect the fabric from direct sunlight by filtering out the light in the room whilst also creating a nice drape. This light filtering option is lightweight and produces a soft natural glow in daylight hours. Available in ivory for curtain and roman shades.

Our satin finish lining is medium weight that gently filters out light whilst creating an improved drape and finish. Satin lining is available in ivory and white for curtains and roman shades.

Our bonded satin is a medium weight satin lining that adds thickness and helps with insulation. A thicker layer is attached to a satin lining which provides insulating properties and improves the feel and quality of the roman shade. Available in ivory for roman shades only.

Our blackout/thermal lining is a specialised heavyweight lining option that is used to eliminate light from the room when drawn. It also helps protect the main fabric from direct sunlight to avoid fading. Our blackout/thermal lining helps keep the room cool in summer by reducing the amount of light dispersing into the room, and during those colder months, it helps retain heat, making this a fantastic choice for bedrooms. Other benefits include reducing energy consumption and noise pollution. This option is ideal for windows and doors with a draft and gives a beautiful drape and finish. Our blackout/thermal lining is available in two colours, ivory and white for curtains and roman shades.

Our bonded blackout adds thickness and helps with insulation whilst eliminating light from the room. A thicker layer is attached to a blackout lining which provides insulating properties and improves the feel and quality of the roman shade. Available in ivory for roman shades only.

Our made to measure roller shades come with 3 substrates: light filtering, blackout and waterproof. Each has its own practical properties suitable for different purposes and room types.

Our light filtering fabric diffuses sunlight to produce a soft natural glow during daylight hours whilst simultaneously offering privacy, perfect for creating a sense of calm and elegance.

Our blackout fabric has a light blocking membrane to ensure light cannot penetrate the fabric, making it perfect for bedroom use. While blackout shades do block out most of the light, there will be a small amount of light leakage through the sides of the shade when closed. This is usually evident for Inside Mount fit and cassette headrails.

Our waterproof fabric resists moisture and splashing and can be wiped clean making it the optimal solution for bathroom and kitchen use

At Graham & Brown we offer four different heading options: grommets, pencil pleats, pinch pleats and wave.

Grommet curtains have a wide pleat and can be hung on most curtain poles. Our grommet curtains are best fit on poles with a 35mm diameter. Our grommets have a 40mm internal diameter (62mm external). There is roughly 18mm of fabric visible to the top of the grommet (30mm to the internal of the grommet).

Pencil pleats have a more tightly gathered pleat that comes together when you pull the cord in the heading tape. We offer 3” and 6” pencil pleats which can be hung on most curtain poles and tracks.

Pinch pleats have tight pleats that are stitched into the fabric to make them permanent, making them a luxurious style of curtain. They are available in double or french pleats for a fuller finish and can be hung on most curtain poles or tracks.

Wave curtains provide a contemporary look and minimalist heading with hooks that are positioned at set intervals to create perfect waves in the fabric. This option comes with the track included to ensure the perfect finish.

At Graham & Brown we offer two different types of headrails: classic and cassette. The cassette headrail hides the roll of fabric at the top of the shades, whereas the classic headrail does not.

If you choose a roman shade with a classic headrail the fabric will be attached with Velcro to a white, metal head rail.

For roller shades with a classic headrail, the shade is fitted to the window with a bracket without a cassette to cover the mechanism. Please note the reverse of the shade is white which will be visible when the shade is fitted.

For roman and roller shades with a cassette headrail, the top of your shade will be finished with a sleek metal box which hides all the operating mechanisms out of sight. The front of the cassette is covered with the same fabric as the shade. End caps for the cassette come in black or white and we will coordinate the best option depending on your fabric choice.

We have three cassette sizes: Small (80mm x 80mm), Medium (95mm x 95mm) and Large (110mm x 110mm). Our Medium sized cassette is used for shades over 1800mm (W) x 2000mm (D).

Unfortunately, we do not offer a fitting service; however, if you need further information, please refer to our fitting guides, linked below. Alternatively, our friendly customer service can help guide you through the process.

The ultimate guide to hanging curtains

How to fit shades

Our installation guides and videos will take you through the process step-by-step, so you can professionally install your curtains, roller shades and roman shades with ease.

You can find direct links to our fitting instruction PDFs here.

To help make the installation process as easy and straightforward as possible, we also include fitting instructions with all orders.

Note: Before hanging your curtain or shade (particularly roman shades), it's always a good idea to iron them beforehand. If you have access to a steamer, you can gently steam any creases out of the fabric. An iron on a steam setting can work just as well. Take care not to touch or over steam the fabric. We recommend your shade is left down for 48 hours. This will allow the fabric to settle into its new surroundings.

Top tip: Once your curtains are hung, gather them back into their pleats and tie them. Leave them like this for a minimum of 48 hours to help the fabric remain pleated.

If you’re not sure on any part, our customer service team are on hand to help with any questions you may have.

We recommend that curtains and roman shades are cleaned with the upholstery brush on a vacuum cleaner. The fabric part of the shade can be professionally dry cleaned, if necessary, but remember to remove the rods first.

For roller shades, gently wipe over the shade using a dry, lint free cloth only. For waterproof shades, gently wipe over using a white, damp cloth.

It's always a good idea to iron your curtains or shades, (particularly roman shades) before hanging them. This will help eliminate creases and ensure your curtains and shades look their best. Please note, it is important not use excessive pressure or heat as this can distort the fabric.

If you have access to a steamer, you can gently steam any creases out of the fabric. An iron on a steam setting can work just as well. Take care not to touch or over steam the fabric. We recommend your shade is left down for 48 hours. This will allow the fabric to settle into its new surroundings.

In the rare occasion your curtain or shade arrives faulty or damaged, please contact our customer service team who can assist in resolving any issue with your order.

The best way to report a fault or damage is to email our customer service team with details of the fault. Please ensure you send photos of the damage along with your order number. If the problem relates to sizing issues, please include an image of your curtain or shade next to a tape measure showing the incorrect sizes if you think we have made the shade to the wrong size.

Please submit your request to our customers service team at Graham & Brown Support.

All faulty or damaged goods need to be reported to us within 7 days.