Installing blinds or shades yourself saves money and gives you control over your home’s look. You don’t need special skills to do this project. Just follow these steps and you’ll have new window coverings up in a few hours.
What You Need Before Starting
Grab these tools before you begin. It makes the job much easier when everything’s ready:
- Step ladder
- Power drill with drill bits
- Pencil and tape measure
- Level (a laser level works great but isn’t required)
- The blinds kit with all mounting hardware
Read through the instructions that came with your blinds. Sometimes manufacturers include specific parts or steps for their products.
1. Measure Your Windows the Right Way
Bad measurements mean blinds that don’t fit. Take your time here because this step matters most.
Inside Mount (blinds go inside the window frame):
- Measure the width at three spots: top, middle, and bottom. Write down the smallest number.
- Measure the height on the left, middle, and right sides. Use the longest number.
- Check how deep the frame is so your blinds actually fit inside.
Outside Mount (blinds cover the whole window and trim):
- Measure width across the trim at three spots. Use the biggest number.
- Measure height on both sides and the middle. Add 3 inches so the blinds block more light.
2. Pick Blinds That Match Your Windows
Think about what you actually need before buying. A shallow window frame usually needs outside-mount blinds. Inside-mount blinds let in more light around the edges, which some people don’t like. Big windows work better with vertical blinds or cellular shades because they’re easier to operate. For bathrooms or kitchens, get faux wood blinds since real wood warps when it gets wet.
3. Get Your Window Ready
Pull down any old blinds if you’re replacing them. Check the frame for damage or loose paint while you’re at it. Wipe everything clean with a damp cloth because dust messes up how well the brackets stick. Move furniture away from the window so you have room to work without bumping into things.
4. Put Up the Mounting Brackets
For Inside Mount:
Mark where the brackets go on top of your window frame with a pencil. Drill small pilot holes first, then screw the brackets in tight. Hold a level against them to make sure they’re straight. Crooked brackets mean your blinds hang weird.
For Outside Mount:
Figure out how high you want the blinds. Mark both bracket spots on the wall above your window. Drill your pilot holes and screw the brackets into the wall. If you hit drywall instead of a stud, use the wall anchors that came with your blinds.
5. Hang Your Blinds
Lift the headrail (that’s the top part of the blinds) up to the brackets. Line it up and snap it into place. You’ll hear a click when it locks in. If it doesn’t snap easily, take it down and check that your brackets are positioned right.
6. Test Everything
Pull the cord or twist the wand to raise and lower your blinds a few times. They should move smoothly without sticking. If one side hangs lower than the other, your brackets might not be level. You can usually fix this by loosening one bracket and adjusting it slightly.
Finishing Up
Snap on the valance if your blinds came with one. This cover piece hides the headrail and makes everything look cleaner. Put away your tools and vacuum up any dust from drilling. Give the blinds one more test to confirm they work perfectly.
Keep Your Blinds Working Great
Dust them every week or two with a microfiber cloth. You can also vacuum them using the soft brush attachment. Don’t spray water directly on wood blinds because it damages the finish. If you notice the blinds sticking or making noise, check if something’s blocking the mechanism.
Ready to upgrade your windows? Installing blinds yourself takes just a few hours and makes any room look better.