Start a home-based curtain and blind making business
Make made-to-measure curtains and blinds from a spare room or garage for local homeowners and landlords.
- £800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
1,504 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 13921 “Manufacture of soft furnishings”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Sewing and finishing made-to-measure curtains, roman blinds and cushions in a home workroom, using fabric the customer chooses or you supply. You measure up, make, and often fit them too.
Your first three steps
- Set up a cutting table and an industrial or heavy-duty sewing machine, then make samples to photograph
- Open trade accounts with a few fabric and curtain track suppliers and ask for sample books
- Price a standard pair of curtains, then offer a few at a reduced rate to friends and neighbours for reviews
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, holiday-let owners and local interior designers who need a reliable maker.
How it makes money
Price per curtain or blind based on fabric, lining and labour, plus a fee for measuring and fitting. Many makers also earn a small margin on fabric.
Skills that help
- Confident sewing and accurate measuring
- Basic maths for fabric quantities
- Patience and attention to detail
- Friendly customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, plus cover for customers' fabric while it is in your care
- Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a home workroom
- Mistakes with measuring or cutting can be costly, so double-check and agree a clear quote and deposit
- Check that fabrics and blind cords meet current safety rules, especially child safety for blinds
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: home-based curtain and blind maker
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a curtain and blind making business?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £800 to £3,500, depending on the sewing equipment, cutting space and fabric samples you buy, and whether you also offer fitting.
What do I need to check before making curtains and blinds at home?
Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to a home workroom. Check insurance, including public liability and cover for customers' fabric. Also check that fabrics and blind cords meet current safety rules, especially child safety.
How much revenue can a home curtain maker earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on how many orders you take and your pricing. The estimates assume at least around 10 hours a week. Agree clear quotes and deposits.
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