How to measure for a curved curtain pole
Bow windows or round windows are a particularly elegant curved form of bay window. They also have practical features inherent in their design. They offer an unobstructed view and give a sense of space and maximise the natural light that flows into the room. A beautifully designed curved curtain pole, made to measure, that perfectly compliments your window both in terms of its fitting appearance and smooth working functionality can really make the most of this feature of your home.
By default, these poles are for bay windows with smooth continuously curved walls of constant radius (i.e. a simple curve). If your bay also has straight wall sections at the mouth of the bay please measure per “Curve with flat ends” , or as a “multi-angle bay” if appropriate, shown further down the page. These poles may require compound elements of simple curves and straight sections combined to achieve the best fit. Anyway, we’ll advise where necessary; usually with a drawing.
25mm diameter tube is used for curved poles. We usually recommend these are ceiling fixed or ceiling fixed with wall fixings at the finials, especially for greater pole offsets.
We are able to make poles for any size of bay, guaranteed to be as accurate as the measurements provided.
For the main Bay Window Poles page, please click here
“Good evening Stephen
I thought I’d send you a photograph of the curtain pole you made for me, fitted. And I wanted to thank you for fabricating and delivering it.
Thank you”
Matthew Dale.
Please could you also send a photo of your bay window 🙂
Simple Curved Bay
Along the face of the curved wall
Measure in millimetres along curve A,B,C =
Depth of the Bay
Measure in millimetres from B to D =
Across the front
Measure in millimetres from A to C =
Along the Return walls too?
If you’d like the pole to continue around the return walls please also measure:
Measure in millimetres from 1 to A =
Measure in millimetres from 2 to C =
How much will it cost?
There’s a price calculator which will give you a very good idea of the cost.
We are experts in building curved curtain poles from the CAD drawings we create for each bay window.
Curved Curtain Pole with Straight Ends
Along the face of the curved wall
Measure in millimetres along curve A,B,C =
Depth of the curved part of Bay
Measure in millimetres from B to D =
Across the front of curve
Measure in millimetres from A to C =
Side Walls
Measure in millimetres from A to E =
Measure in millimetres from C to F =
(If the walls are not parallel (i.e. splay out) also measure the diagonals A to F and E to C as well as E to F)
Along the Return walls too?
Measure in millimetres from 1 to E =
Measure in millimetres from 2 to F =
If you’d like the finial further back inside the bay…
A form of this type of curtain pole can be used for entrances to give door clearance, or to create a changing area (we once made several for a bridal shop) where a full enclosure is required. Usually with just three brackets, and the long centre bracket suspended from the ceiling. Full circle hoops, suspended from the ceiling, are possible too.
“Hi Emer,
The rail is installed and it fits perfectly. And I do mean perfectly.
All three horizontal supports fit tight to the back of the frame and the levels are all the same.
Regards
Graham”
G. Plant (April 2026)
Tips on Measuring Curved Bays
•Take the measurements along the walls where the pole is to fix and include the full length of each wall section (even if these are ceiling fix poles). We will work out the pole size to fit allowing for any required offset from these measurements.
•If necessary state the distance (offset) you’d like between the wall and the pole (the default is 50mm)
•If necessary state where you’d like the finial to end (the default is the mouth of the bay). The poles can have return bends too.
•Measure in millimetres as errors can accumulate and please don’t assume opposites are equal as they quite often aren’t. Please don’t round up measurements to nearest 0 or 5.
** Use a metal tape measure, held taut for the straight lengths.
** Use a fabric or fibre-glass tape flat along the face of the curved wall.
Please take time to provide careful and accurate measurements. The better the measurements, the better the pole will fit!
You’ll need someone to give you a hand especially for the curve depth B to D length. Please be as accurate as possible here as small errors can make a big difference.
We can make a pole fit with remarkably little space for brackets but please let us know if there are any potential issues.
A note on french bay poles
For French Bay Window Poles, the bracket plates are the “finials”. Once you’ve measured your bay window, let us know where you’d like the bracket plates located as these should not be directly on the bay corners.
Curved Curtain Pole in an Angled Bay
For an angled bay with a curved pole, you should measure the diagonals and walls of the bay window. Please refer to the relevant measuring guide for other multi-angle bays e.g. Six Bend Bay
Notice how a curved pole of constant radius varies in distance from the wall, being greatest at the wall angles (vertices). That’s why it’s better to fix the pole to the ceiling to avoid varying wall fix bracket projections.
However, in some cases, a three bracket curved pole is suitable for a centre bracket wall fixing as in the example below.
How to Order?
Here’s a link to the Ordering page.
Example of a curved curtain pole fitted in an angled bay (above)
“Hi Stephen, I just wanted to say that the pole arrived just before New Year but I didn’t get time until yesterday to put it up. It was so straightforward to put up, looks so beautiful and the action is so smooth – I love it – thank you so much! That’s many years of various bay window nightmares finally vanquished!!”
Janet (2020)