How to Install Blinds: A Step-by-Step Guide
You just got your new window blinds and can’t wait to install them. What should you do? What tools do you need? We answer these questions in our step-by-step guide on DIY blinds installation.
Important note: This guide assumes your blinds are tailor-made for your windows or your windows can accommodate universal-size blinds. If you need help measuring your windows for blinds, book a free consultation with us and read our measuring, fitting and installation guides, where we have detailed instructions on how to install Venetian blinds, Roman shades, vertical blinds, and roller blinds.
What You Need: Tools and Materials
Before you begin, prepare everything you need so you won’t have to run around (wasting time and energy) looking for tools and materials once your project is underway.
Open the blinds box or package to confirm you have all the components. These vary depending on the type of blinds you have. For instance, if installing Venetian blinds from Sedar—say, our 25mm aluminum venetian blinds—check that your package comes with the following parts:
- Head rail
- Mounting bracket
- Tilter shaft
- Tilter gear
- Tilter wand
- End cap
- Slats
- Bottom rail
- Ladder string
- Special lift cord
- Cord
- Lock clip
- Equalizer
- Tassel
- Tape lock button
Next, prepare your tools. You will need the following:
- Measuring tape (heavy duty, metal)
- Level (preferably a long level, for ensuring bracket alignment)
- Pencil (preferably a carpenter pencil because of its flat sides, for marking)
- Power drill (i.e., drilling machine)
- Drill bit
- Drive bit
- Screwdriver
- Screws
- Wall plug (wall anchor, an insert that allows you to use screws in porous and brittle walls)
- Work gloves
- Step ladder
Once you have your blinds and tools ready, you may install your blinds.
What to Do: DIY Blinds Installation Steps
If your blinds come with a manual, follow the specific steps indicated there. That manual will also tell you if window brackets must be a particular distance above or to the side of your window.
The steps below provide general guidance on installing blinds.
1. Mark the position of the first (left-hand) mounting bracket.
Where the first mounting bracket goes depends on the type of blinds you have and whether you’re installing them inside the window recess (i.e., inside mount) or outside the window opening (outside mount).
Note: You must decide between an inside and an outside mount before you buy or order blinds.
When installing inside-mounted blinds
You can use inside-mounted blinds on windows recessed into the wall. These blinds are installed inside the window recess, also known as the window reveal. In this case, the blinds go right on top of the window pane, and their coverage is limited to the width and height of the window recess.
The inside mount is best used with made-to-measure blinds. Otherwise, there may be gaps on the sides, or the blinds may be too wide or long to fit inside the window reveal.
The brackets for inside-mounted blinds are attached to the “ceiling” of the recess. The first window bracket may need to be installed at the top left corner, or it may have to be placed several centimeters (e.g., 10 centimeters) to the right of the recess’ left side. The exact distance and placement vary from one type of blinds to another, so follow the prescribed clearances written on your blinds packaging or manual.
You must decide how deep your blinds will go into the recess. If the window reveal is 10 cm deep, maybe attach the window bracket about halfway in (5 cm).
Procedure: With your measuring tape, on the recess’ ceiling, measure out and mark the prescribed spot from the left edge of the recess. Hold the bracket there and use your pencil to mark the spots for the screws.
When installing outside-mounted blinds
Outside-mounted blinds lie on top of the window opening and cover part of the wall above, below, and to the sides of it. Store-bought, universal-sized blinds work great with outside mounting because they don’t need to be restricted by the size of the window recess.
The brackets for outside-mounted blinds are placed on the wall above the window reveal. How far up you need to go (e.g., 10 cm up from the top edge of the window recess) depends on the blinds’ measurements.
Procedure: With your measuring tape, measure up to the prescribed clearance or distance from the top edge of the window and mark the spot with a pencil. Next, hold the bracket in place and mark with a pencil where the screws must go; there should be at least two spots for screws.
2. Fix the first bracket.
Find a drill bit that’s slightly smaller than the screws you’re using and attach that to your power drill. Drill where your pencil marks for the mounting bracket screws are. Make sure not to drill too deep; ideally, drill only as long as the screws you’ll use.
Once you have drilled the screw holes for the first bracket, insert a wall plug into each screw hole. A wall plug offers a more secure grip for screws.
Exchange your drill bit for a drive bit, insert the screws into the waiting holes and drive them in. If your drill doesn’t have a driver function or your drive bit is too short to drive the screws all the way in, you can use a screwdriver.
3. Mark the position of the second (right-hand) mounting bracket.
Use a long level to mark a straight line from the first bracket to the right-hand side of the wall, the right side of the recess’ ceiling, or the ceiling’s top right corner. With a measuring tape placed along the straight or level line, mark the position of the second mounting bracket. Refer to your product packaging or manual for the maximum allowed distance between the two brackets.
Once you’ve found the correct spot, hold the second window bracket there and mark the spots for the screws.
4. Fix the second bracket.
Attach a drill bit (slightly smaller than the screws you’re using) to your power drill, drill the holes you’ve pencil-marked for the bracket screws. Do not drill too deep; drill only up to the length of your screws.
Once the screw holes are ready, push in the wall plugs, replace the drill bit with a drive bit, and use your power drill to drive the screws into the waiting holes. If your drill doesn’t have a driver function or your drive bit is too short to drive the screws all the way in, use a screwdriver.
5. Attach the blinds to the mounting brackets.
If installing Venetian blinds, mount the blinds via the head rail, first on one side and then on the other side. You must do the same—attach the blinds via the top rail—if installing Roman blinds.
Roller blind installation instructions vary slightly. First, apply the bracket cover to each corner bracket. Next, insert the aluminum roller tube (with clutch gruppo and end plugs already attached), first into one bracket and then into the second bracket. Note: If you’re wondering how to install blackout roller blinds, just follow the same process.
If installing vertical blinds, first, attach the rail to the window brackets. Next, affix the tissues to the rail.
The same general procedure as above applies to electric blind installation, except you’ll also need to connect wires to the motor.
6. Test the blinds.
Are the blinds working properly? Test the pull cord to see if the blinds go up and down smoothly, the tilt rod (vertical blinds) or tilter wand (Venetian blinds) to check if the louvers or slats open and close properly, and the on and off button to ensure the motor and connections work (applies only to motorized blinds).
Perform the above steps carefully and make adjustments if necessary.
How to Install Window Blinds Without Drilling
What if you want to install blinds without drilling? You need no-drill blinds—e.g., magnetic, tension-rod, and adhesive blinds.
Magnetic blinds attach directly to metallic window frames. Tension-rod blinds have a telescopic top rail or tube that allows the rod length to be adjusted so it fits the width of your window recess. The tension between the recess’ side walls keeps the blinds in place. Finally, adhesive blinds have an adhesive top or head rail that adheres to the wall.
Remember to operate no-drill blinds extra carefully. One energetic yank may pull them off your window.
Install Blinds Yourself
You can install your window blinds yourself.
First, mark the position of the first mounting bracket, screw the first bracket into place, mark the position of the second mounting bracket, and screw that in place as well. Next, insert the rail or the tube into the brackets, test that everything is working, and make adjustments as necessary.
Sedar is a leading provider of various types of blinds, including roller, Roman, Venetian, and vertical blinds.
Let our expert specialists help you decide which type of blind to get for your window, whether to choose an inside or an outside mount, and how to measure your windows correctly.
