Errors to Avoid When Installing Blinds

You choose the fabric, pleat style, construction... and it's time to install them. You can't afford to make a mistake! This list is your lifesaver.

These may seem like small details, but they are not insignificant. Some mistakes can destroy the effect you're trying to achieve when decorating windows. In this article, we focus on the blind installation stage. After choosing the fabric for blinds, type of coating, pleats, curtains or drapes. You've completed part of the work (and did it well by following our instructions and masterclass on this topic), but there's another step related to placing the blinds.

So whether you're making blinds yourself or ordering them, remember that installation is crucial. You can do it yourself or hire professionals. At the same store where blinds are made, you can definitely use their service. In both cases, avoid these errors during installation.

ERRORS TO AVOID WHEN INSTALLING BLINDS

This applies to blinds for the bedroom, living room or dining room. There are certain key points that should be known for any stay. Thus, the result will be perfect.

1. DON'T MAKE BLINDS TOO SHORT

Don't look at the window and see a 5 cm gap between the floor and the edge of the blinds. This is like tight pants. The window looks smaller and absurd. It's an error in the book. And it can be related to measurement or installation if you didn't properly position the rod. If you made a measuring error, and the rod must be installed exactly where the blinds look short, add a fabric shim to cover this space.

2. DON'T MAKE BLINDS TOO LONG

One of the most frequently asked questions during blind installation is: How long should blinds hang? One end is as bad as the other. Blinds touching the floor (ideally 3-4 cm) will drag and accumulate dirt, making the window too heavy. Returning to the pants comparison, it will feel like a wall has shrunk. Fix this by adding a few inches when installing the rod or remove the hem and reattach the blinds as they should be.

3. DON'T WASH BLINDS BEFORE INSTALLING THEM

Many fabrics have treatments to prevent shrinkage, but even so it's recommended to wash blinds before installation. If they shrink slightly, you'll have already positioned the rod correctly.

4. DON'T IRON BLINDS

This is another mistake during blind installation. Whether washed or not, if you don't iron them, pleats will cause unevenness in the fabric, and it becomes more prone to shrinkage. Therefore, you won't be able to accurately measure where to place the rod or rail.

5. INCORRECT BLIND INSTALLATION

Don't 'stretch' them. You can't hang blinds and hide the hem or excess fabric so that the hem stays in place. This way, the blinds will look bad. And it's terrible to see threads. No justification. If you don't know how to sew, use felt tape, perfect for creating a no-sew hem, just with the heat from an iron.

6. DON'T HEM EVERY FABRIC

What should be the length of a hem for a specific size? This is one of the most frequently asked questions. The issue is that not all fabrics suit every material. Some blinds need a standard hem of a couple of centimeters, while others require a wide hem to add more weight and mass. Other fabrics are too light, so lead weights are added. The mistake is hemming a wide hem on thick fabric.

7. INSTALLING BLINDS TOO CLOSE TO THE WINDOW

When installing blinds — an error not to consider the radiator if it's under the window; nor the handle of sliding or hinged doors. With sliding doors, there's no issue, but in the above cases the handle protrudes from the wall. Blinds should not touch each other, otherwise when lowered you'll see a contact point which will cause creases and ruin the natural effect.

8. BUYING VERY THICK BLIND RODS

You should consider the thickness or diameter of the rod, as it must be appropriately sized (always slightly smaller) to fit the rings or eyes of the blinds. That way, it will slide smoothly and you won't feel excessive pulling.

9. TOO SHORT BLIND ROD

Not too long, but a short rod looks absurd in the window. Also, the function of the part of the rod that remains on each side of the window and connects to the wall or ceiling is decoration and support for the blind rings or holes so they never move at the ends when sliding and opening blinds. There should be at least 15 cm on each side. If the window is attached to a wall and you can't leave the rod on that side, choose ceiling mounting and complete the rod on the wall.

10. INSTALLING BLIND ROD TOO CLOSE TO THE WINDOW

Although rails are installed directly on the ceiling or base of the blinds or curtain box; with a rod you can choose slightly more free space. If the rod is too close to the ceiling, the fabric above with eyes may scratch the ceiling. If they are supported, they go to the wall, and you want to place the rod above the window, don't do it directly over it. You'll reduce the wall height. Leave 20 cm so that the rod never interferes with opening window sash.