DIY Guide: Fitting Your Venetian Blinds Correctly

Although fitting Venetian blinds may seem like a challenge, with the proper guidance, you can effortlessly elevate your space, blending style with practicality. Whether your goal is to regulate light, boost privacy, or refresh a room’s appearance, this comprehensive step-by-step guide will help you mount your Venetian blinds professionally.

Types of Venetian blinds to consider

Selecting the right blinds involves more than just picking a colour you like. Consider the following:

• Material: Venetian blinds come in wood, aluminium, and PVC. Wooden blinds add warmth, while aluminium offers a sleek, modern look. PVC is a durable and budget-friendly option.
• Slat size: Wider slats give a more traditional look, while narrower slats are better for modern interiors or smaller windows.
• Control type: Some blinds use cords, while others use wands or even motorised controls for ease of use.

Tip: If you have children or pets, consider blinds with a cordless design to avoid potential hazards.

Check also:

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Determine the blinds fitting method

There are several to choose from like:

• Inside recess: This method involves fitting the blinds within the window frame or recess. The blinds sit inside the window, offering a neat and streamlined look. It’s ideal if you want to showcase your window frame or maximise space around the window.
• Outside recess: Here, the blinds are mounted outside the window frame, covering the entire window and sometimes extending beyond it. This method can make the window appear larger and ensures full coverage, blocking more light and providing better privacy.
• Top fix: This method involves attaching the blinds to the ceiling or the top part of the window recess. It’s often used in inside recess fittings but can also be applied to other situations where the blinds are mounted from above.
• Face fix: In this method, the blinds are attached directly to the wall or window frame facing the room. This is typically used in outside recess installations but can be applied to any situation where the blinds are mounted directly onto a vertical surface.

Tip: To measure for a blind installed inside the recess, take measurements of the width and height within the recessed area of the window. Installing blinds within the recess will work best if the recess depth is at least 7.5 cm to allow enough space for the blind. To measure a blind to be fitted outside the recess, you should measure the height and width of the area starting from the edge of the recess.

Preparing to put up the blinds

After selecting the material, mounting style, and size for your new Venetian blinds, the next step is figuring out how to install them. So get yourself the following:

Tools and materials you’ll need to get

• Measuring tape
• Drill
• Screws and wall plugs
• Pencil
• Screwdriver
• Spirit level
• Ladder

There are specific instructions that come with every Venetian blind set. Make sure you read them carefully before you begin. Be sure all of the fixtures are in place as specified in the instructions. Also, remove any obstacles so you can work freely.

Installing the Venetian blinds

1. Marking and drilling

Mark the bracket positions: You should know by now the desired hanging method (inside vs outside recess). Then, it’s time to place the brackets against the wall or window frame and mark where you will need to drill. Make sure the brackets are levelled.

Drill the holes: Use the correct drill bit for your wall type. If drilling into plaster or drywall, use wall plugs to ensure a secure fit. Drill the holes you marked and insert the wall plugs.

Tip: For an inside recess, ensure the brackets are positioned far enough from the window to allow the slats to tilt freely without hitting the window.

2. Installing the brackets

Attach the brackets: Carefully attach the brackets to the wall or window frame.

Double-check the level: Before tightening fully, check again that the brackets are levelled. Misaligned brackets will cause your blinds to hang unevenly.

3. Attaching the Venetian blinds

• Fit the blinds – Once the brackets are in place, turn the swing arms on the brackets so that they face you. Turn the swing arm back toward the mount and snap the top rail into place.
• Add the hold-down clips – Attach the hold-down clip to the window facing or to the wall/window recess. Pop the bracket pin ends into the holes at the bottom rail ends.
• Install safety cleat – Place the safety cleat as close as possible to the top rail and no less than 1500 millimetres from the floor. Drill the screw holes, then tighten the screws with a screwdriver. Wrap the cord around the cleat in a figure-eight pattern.
• Test the mechanisms – Use the control cord or wand to tilt the slats, raise, and lower the blinds. Make sure everything moves smoothly.

Check also:

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Aftercare and maintenance

Here are some tips to make blind cleaning easier.

• Cleaning wooden Venetian blinds: Take a dry or slightly damp cloth and wipe them. Avoid harsh chemicals or soaking, as this can damage the wood.
• Cleaning aluminium or PVC blinds: For regular cleaning, use a soft cloth or duster. For a deeper clean, use warm water with mild detergent, then dry the blonds thoroughly to avoid rust or water spots.

Tip: Cleaning Venetian blinds is easier if you close them fully and wipe down the slats rather than cleaning each one individually.

Check also:

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How much does it cost to install Venetian blinds?

If you don’t feel confident about installing your blinds, you can always count on Fantastic Handyman. On average, you can have 2 to 3 medium-sized blinds installed for around £79.

The price may vary based on the time required for the installation. Also, the higher the number of blinds you want to be fitted, the more time-consuming the process is. For large blinds or bay windows with 4 or 5 blinds, you should expect a price of about £120 to £180.

Takeaways

• Get prepared with all the tools before you start installing the blinds.
• Decide which mounting method is best for your specific needs.
• Venetian blinds fitting is a process you can manage by yourself if you feel confident in working with power tools.
• If you feel unsure how to complete some of the steps, consider turning to a professional handyman to do the job quickly and safely.